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The Pressure Flow Theory module introduces you to the 1U1derlying concepts
necessary for developing your own dynamic simulations with Aspen HYSYS
Dynamics. Sorne ofthe things you will leam :from this module are:
Learning Objectives
Once you have completed this section, you wil11U1derstand:
Process Flowsheets
Theoretical Foundations
The Pressure-Flow Solver: A Boundary Value Problem
In tams of pressmes and flows, perhaps tb.e simplest way to view tbe pressure tlow
solver in Aspen HYSYS Dynamics is to consider tb.e Flowsheet as a Boundary Value
Problem.
lf you were to make pressure or tlow specifications on all tb.e boundary streams
(feedslproduct s1reams in a Flowsheet), tb.m all tb.e intemal pressures and flows
would be solved Sllllultaneously at eacb. integra1ion step by tbe pressure-flow solver.
The intema1 stteam pressures and flow rates are calculated ftom tb.e pressure
grad.ients in tb.e Flowsheet. Flow rates are detennined ftom:
Since pressure gradients
are lhe dving fon::e for
flow In Allpen HYSYS, care
should be taken to ensure
that the preesure prollle of
the flowsheet has been
propaty speclfted.
1. Changes in vapour pressure nodes (vessels with hold-ups) witb.in tb.e Flowsheet
system.
2.
3.
Pressure Nodes
All unit operatims (witb. hold-up) represent pressure nodes. Some unit operations
may con.tribute to one or more nodes. For example:
Fundamental Principie
Vessel equipment has a fixed geometty and thus a fixed volume. Ma1hema1ically,
this means that:
Thia concept i8
fundamental to perforrring
dynamic simulation
analyses with Aspen
HYSYS.
dV
dt
-O
(1)
dP
dt = fn(V, F, T)
(2)
Example
Consider the operation of a separator in dynamic mode that is initially at steady state
with a level of 60%:
Figura 1
Flowin
Fixed geometry
60%
Remember:
In Steady State,
Flow into separator = Flow out of separator,
no accumulation.
But in Dynamics, if the separator feed flow increases with the
product flow rates (vapour and liquid) remaining oochanged, the
level (hold up), temperature (enthalpy) and pressure of the vessel
must all change from the steady state condition.
l.
An increase in the feed vapour Flowrate with a constant vapour product Flowrate
results in the vapour (hold up) increasing. Because vapour is a compressible fluid,
the accumulation ofvapour, occupying a smaller volume, will cause the vessel
pressure to rise.
2.
The increase in liquid level also causes the vapour hold-up to occupy a smaller
volume within the vessel, causing the vessel pressure to rise.
C., = the valve coefficient, Aspen HYSYS will calculate this value on
request
F = k J pAP
(5)
Pressure/Flow Networks
In Aspen HYSYS Dynamics the pressure/flow network is described in terms of
nodes, resistance and canductance. Flow takes place in stteams from one node tD
anotber. Thus there are two basic sets ofequaticms 1hat define the pressure/flow
network:
The reelatance to flow
lhrough valves and lhe
conductance lhrough
process equipment
determlnee atream flow
rales between nodes.
1.
2.
The simplest case is tbat ofincompressible tlow with no accumulation at 1he nodes.
In this situation, the tlow equations are a fimction ofthe pressure gradient ancl
equipm.ent parameters su.ch as 1he pipe diameter and rougbness. The material balance
at the nodes is simply that the accmnulation is zero.
In a more comprehensive dynamic simulatim the pressure tlow equations are more
complex. They account for:
Flow rates 1hat are determined not mly bypressure gradient but also by
weir heigb.ts (columns) and density differences
Figura 2
Pl, P2, P3 etc. represent Pressme Nodes (Vessels with hold up)
Pressme/flow relationships
Energy relationships
Compositional relationships
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lfyou suspect tbat 1he P/F solver is failing because ofthe interaction wi1h the VLE
correlation, then you can do one ofth.e following:
Reduce tbe integration step size-1bis can be accessed ftom 1he mmu bar:
SimulatiGD - lntegrator- Generd.
Change tbe ftequmcy ofintegration steps pee step size (composition and
cmthalpy). This can be accessed ftom the menu bar: Simulation lntegrator- ExeeutiGD.
Figure 3
~ l IB)
lntegrator
lnlegralion Conbo
ro A1.1lomatic
(" Manyal
lnlegration Tim
Unils
Cur,entTime
Acceleralion
End Time
Real time
Dis la lnlerval.
Real lime factor
lnlegration Step
Units
Ste Size
Minimum
Maximum
General
Continue
10
l~J 51~
lntegr<1.tor
Executii:m
minutes
6 07.3917
Tf
<oo-Sto'T
Ener C.alculations
Composilion and Flash Calculations
Use these defaull periods for ali operalions
_J
000000
20.38
seconds
r_
Optii:ms
!!esel
- floooo
~
000-=--General
Heat loss
Display
!...Conlinue..j
Execution
Oplions
B,eset
Heat loss
DisJ>lay
Preuure FlowThaory
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P = Pressure
F=Flow
In 1bis Flowsheet, 1here are 7 variables in total that will define the system. These are:
Figure 4
Vapo1..1r
-....---~ ~
Feed
1
~~-=+--~--..~
VLV-100
VLV-101
Product
1
V-100
Separator
Liquid
VLV-102
Product
2.
3.
11
12
In the previous example, we had three Degrees ofFreedom, requiring that three
specifications be made to define the system.
12
13
...
Vapour
--....---,..
Feed
VLV-100
VLV-101
Product
1
P, F?
V-100
Separator
P?
P,F?
Liquid
VLV-102
Product
2
P.F?
Feed 1 Pressure
Stream 1 Pressure
VLV-100 DeltaP
A11hough making 1hese 1hree specifications will satisfy the DOF analysis, the choice
of specifications would not make sen.se. P,ee41, P1 and Pvi.v-100 are ali related by the
following equation:
PFeedl -P -APYLY-100
(6)
Specifying the Flowsheet in this manner would lead toan inconsistent solution. In
filct, 1he Flowsheet would be unda--specified because one of1he specifications is
redundan.t
13
14
Vapour
_..,..,.._~ ~
Feed
1
~~...+
.....~ - - .1
VLV-100
Feedl Pressure
Productl Pressure
Product2 Pressure
Product
V-100
Separator
Liquid
VLV-101
VLV-102
Product
Consider the same Flowsheet with pressure specifications made on all the boundary
streams. This solutlon is consistmt because the pressure in the vessel is calculated by
1he hold-up equation. (The stream fl.ow rates were calculated using the turbulent
equation or 1he resistance to fl.ow equation).
Guidelinea to Remember:
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The flow tbrough the plant, or operation, is driven by the pressure gradient.
2.
3.
The Aspen HYSYS P/F solver solves a set oflinear and non-linear equations
simultaneously to determine the P/F relationship.
4.
In order for the P/F solver to solve the Flowsheet, there must be a pressure
gradient established over the entire Flowsheet.
5.
The pressure gradient exists dueto a specified pressure flow relationship (ora
speci:fied pressure drop) over all operations in the Flowsheet.
6.
The P/F solver works by finding P from F, according to the P/F theory, or by
solving the pressure node equation.
7.
Following any flow path tbrough the Flowsheet, the user should be able to see
the pressure gradient, or expect to see a pressure gradient established along the
path. If the pressure gradient cannot be seen, an additional pressure specification
may be needed.
8.
If the user follows a flow path to the boundary of the Flowsheet, they should see
that at such a location, a pressure gradient does not exist, nor can it be
established. This means that a pressure (or flow) specification is always needed
on boundary streams.
15
1&
Figure 7
Vapour
Product
Feed
1
Separator
Liquid
Product
It is possible to have flow specifications on all unit operation streems as lcmg as the
vessel pressure is controlled.
Figure 8
,--------w Vapour
Product
Feed
1
Separator
Sep PC
..__ _ _ _ __ .. Liquid
Product
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Exercise
Modifying the Flowsheet in dynamics
Load the saved case FHT_Dynl.hsc.
Modify the Flowsheet such that there is a Cooler downstream of the Sep Vap 1
stream.
1.
2.
Calculate the resistance to flow for the Cooler. Like the Valve, the flow through
the Cooler is calculated as a fimction of delta P.
Using the conductance equation provides a more realistic simulation. Toe pressure
drop across the Cooler can change with increases or decreases in flow. Ifthe Cooler
pressure drop were fixed, then it would not vary. Because we specify the resistance
to flow as the dynamic specification, then we can make a pressure specification as
the boundary specification. Toe flow rates are calculated by the resistance equation.
Save your case as Exercise.hsc.
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