SOLIDS

gPROMS Solids Integrated model-based engineering of solids processes

Many solids processes fail to reach more than 60% of design capacity and require 10 times longer to start up than those involving only gas- liquid streams. They are also very capital and energy-intensive.

gPROMS Solids is a new product developed by PSE in collaboration with Procter & Gamble to address these challenges and many others.

gPROMS Solids makes it possible for businesses to optimise design and operation using rigorous predictive models, and thus quantify and manage the risks associated with engineering decisions.

CHALLENGES

Designers and operators of solids processes face many challenges. Typical questions to be answered include:

Existing plant optimisation – increasing throughput

How does the operation of upstream units – for example crystallisers, spray dryers and agglomerators – affect the capacity of downstream solids handling? How do changes in the operating conditions of individual units affect the product produced per pass?

New plant design – sizing recycles

What is the impact of screen performance on the recycle- product fl ow ratio? How does this affect the capital investment requirements for other parts of a solids processing facility?

New plant design – sizing of surge bins

What is the optimal trade-off between either low capital costs and reduced start-up times of the process from using smaller surge bins, or increase in process robustness with respect to downstream disturbances such as blockages when larger bins are used?

New plant design – equipment selection

How do you make informed decisions on equipment purchase? What is the optimal size of a mill? What is the design specifi cation for a screen aperture that will satisfy throughput demands while maintaining product quality?

Library of

common unit operations for solids processes

Steady state and dynamic simulation and optimisation

Drag-and-drop fl owsheeting

Ability to add custom models of proprietary equipment or processes

Parameter estimation facilities for fi tting models to experimental or operating data Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4