gPROMS v3.3

Graphical task editor

The Graphical Task Editor palette (detail)

gPROMS has always been known for its powerful TASK language, which allows simultaneous modelling of operating procedures and process equipment.

The new graphical task editor brings easy drag-and-drop functionality and graphical visualisation to the TASK language.

This makes it much easier to build and verify complex operating procedures for batch process simulation and optimisation, as well as for optimising process start-up.

Background

gPROMS dynamic models – for example, those used in batch process optimisation or design of start-up procedures – comprise two components:

a model of the physics and chemistry of the process equipment
a model of the operating procedures and other tasks superimposed on the physical model.

When I first started using the graphical task editor I immediately recognised sequencing errors in a very complex schedule I was building at the time. I could easily correct these using drag-and-drop.

Beta tester, consumer products company

Indeed the ability to consider both simultaneously is one of the most powerful features of gPROMS.

Underlying language view of schedule

New graphical view of schedule

Rich drag-and-drop graphical facilities similar to those available for modelling the physical process flowsheet have now been implemented for the modelling of tasks.

The screenshot below shows the graphical task editor environment (centre) and palette (right).

Operation

The graphical task editor is controlled from a palette that can be anchored to the left or right or left floating. Operations are dragged from the palette, dropped in the editor window and connected as required.

It is possible to drop a new task into an existing one or to move tasks around, a 'single leaf' task or whole branches at a time. Where necessary, tasks are automatically wrapped into SEQUENCEs.

Tasks can be expanded or collapsed as required, making it possible to view the overall schedule or the details of an individual task with a few mouseclicks.

Because the graphical and language-based task representation are maintained consistent at all times, it is possible to switch from one view to the other as necessary.

Advantages

See the gPROMS v3.3 release notes for further detail

The graphical task editor makes it much easier to construct, analyse and quality-assure complex operating schedules. For example, it is now much easer to implement schedules with numerous IF statements.

Customer beta testers have reported that the ability to construct schedules graphically significantly helps them to understand the overall structure of the schedule, as well as to troubleshoot and extend it.

See the v3.3 release notes for more detailed information.

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