Designing with CAPE-Open
Systematic methods and tools for managing the complexity
Software Architecture, Standards & Interfaces (T4-7)
Keywords: CAPE-Open, thermodynamics, unit operation, CO2 absorption
The CAPE-Open standard offers the developers of new thermodynamic models and new unit operations the possibility of providing these products as plug-ins to process simulators. The advantage is the elimination of the complex and lengthy step of computational implementation.
The steady increase in the number of CAPE-Open compliant thermodynamic modules tells us that the problem of making codes CAPE-Open compliant (while difficult) has been solved. Therefore the focus for thermodynamicists must be on good thermodynamic models. Ten years of experience of using the Cubic-Plus-Association (CPA) equation of state [1-2] have demonstrated that it is a very successful model for handling multi-component, multiphase equilibrium in systems containing hydrogen-bonding substances.
Besides the need for good thermodynamic models, there is also a need for the ability of making tailor-made unit operations. To this end, the CAPE-Open standard is an obvious choice and a good example is the CO2 capture using an alkanolamine solution [3]. This unit operation encapsulates the essential properties of most unit operations: thermodynamics, chemical reactions and mass transfer. The fundamentals of the unit operation have been validated using data obtained from a fully computerized pilot plant.
Normally, the performance of a unit operation will depend on the choice of the thermodynamic model. Often unit operations, which are based on the CAPE-Open technology, do not offer the user the privilege of choosing among the many models of the process simulator. However, it does not need to be so. It is possible to develop CAPE-Open unit operations that handle any of the thermodynamic models available in the process simulator.
References
[1] G.M. Kontogeorgis, M.L. Michelsen, G.K. Folas, S.O. Derawi, N. von Solms and E.H. Stenby, “Ten years with the CPA (Cubic-Plus-Association) equation of state. Part I. Pure compounds and Self-associating systems”, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2006, 45, 4855.
[2] G.M. Kontogeorgis, M.L. Michelsen, G.K. Folas, S.O. Derawi, N. von Solms and E.H. Stenby, “Ten years with the CPA (Cubic-Plus-Association) equation of state. Part II. Cross-associating and multicomponent systems”, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2006, 45, 4869.
[3] J. Gabrielsen, M.L. Michelsen, E.H. Stenby, and G.M. Kontogeorgis, “Modeling of CO2 Absorber Using an AMP Solution”, AIChE J. 2006, 52, 3443.
Presented Monday 17, 16:40 to 17:00, in session Software Architecture, Standards & Interfaces (T4-7).
