Concepts & Technologies

Next-generation modelling for the process industries

Unlike much of the simulation and modelling software currently available to the process industries, PSE's gPROMS^® was designed from the beginning to incorporate the advanced capabilities necessary to deliver value in today's competitive climate.

From its inception gPROMS has been a technology leader, and PSE continues to spend a large proportion of its annual revenue on R&D

No.1

... from inception.

PSE won the Royal Academy of Engineering 2007 MacRobert Award for Innovation

From its inception gPROMS has been a technology leader.

gPROMS was built on many years’ R&D into modelling and optimisation technology and numerical solution techniques at Imperial College London, and PSE continues this tradition.

Some firsts…

Some of the things that appeared in gPROMS first, or where gPROMS leads the field:

Distributed systems modelling
Dynamic optimisation
Mixed integer optimisation (MIO)
Advanced parameter estimation
Model-based experiment design
Combination of process and CFD models for multi-scale modelling
The ability to embed gPROMS as a modelling and solution engine seamlessly within external software.

A true modelling tool, not just a simulator

gPROMS is a true process modelling tool, not just a simulator. This means that the physical and chemical relationships within equipment, and their operating procedures, are represented as a set of equations that can be solved in a number of different ways, not just simulation.

gPROMS hides all of the underlying mathematical complexity from the user, who can focus on the real engineering task at hand.

An equation-oriented approach

gPROMS provides this "true modelling" capability by using an equation-oriented (also known as "equation-based") approach.

All relationships between process variables such as temperature, pressure and composition are written as equations in "open-model" format in the gPROMS language (see below). Likewise, the streams linking process units are represented as equations.

At solution time, gPROMS solves all the equations in the flowsheet – which may number hundreds of thousands or even millions – using fast and robust numerical solution techniques.

The equation-oriented approach has many significant advantages over traditional sequential-modular simulation approaches:

because the chemistry and physics of the model are separated from the mathematics required for solution, it is much easier to write and maintain models
powerful model validation techniques can be applied to determine model parameter values accurately from experimental data
activities such as optimisation (steady-state and dynamic) and parameter estimation are catered for inherently and thus much faster and more powerful than in other solution approaches
repeated solution is much faster, making it possible to deploy large gPROMS models in demanding situations such as online real-time optimisation
it is possible to handle much larger and more complex flowsheets.

Powerful and flexible modelling language

Underlying gPROMS is a powerful modelling language specifically designed to address process industry requirements.

This allows model developers to create models of the most complex processes and their operating procedures by writing equations almost as they appear on paper.

The clear, concise language and the "intelligent editors" of gPROMS ModelBuilder^® mean that model builders can easily document their work, capturing the knowledge assets of the company for future use and enabling complex models to be quality assured.

Unlike many dynamic solvers that handle only ordinary differential equations (ODEs), gPROMS works with sets of Integro-Partial Differential Algebraic Equations (IPDAEs). This might not mean much to the average engineer, but it provides significant advantages in modelling power.

Read more about the many advantages of the gPROMS language.

One model, many different activities

Once you have constructed a model, you can do any of the following:

Run steady-state or dynamic simulation
Estimate parameters to tune the model to real-life (laboratory or plant) data.
Design optimal experiment procedures for determining parameters of that model
Perform a steady-state or dynamic optimisation, including integer decisions
Generate local linearised models for use in online plant optimisers and controllers.

Modelling across the process lifecycle

Across the process lifecycle gPROMS is a true lifecycle modelling tool. Its modelling power, versatility and open architecture mean that it is possible to use a single, evolving model for all the applications across the process design and operational lifecycle.

This allows multiple return on investment in developing models, and rapid deployment of modelling in new applications, and ensures consistency and maintainability across the lifecycle. Equally important, it justifies the development of detailed models capable of delivering maximum competitive advantage.

The gPROMS Product Family and gPROMS Objects

gPROMS is actually a family of products. In addition to performing interactive modelling within the gPROMS ModelBuilder, you can embed gPROMS models within a range of different software environments. For example, you can use a gPROMS reaction model directly within a CFD simulation or Mathworks MATLAB^® or Simulink^® software, or add a gPROMS model to a steady-state flowsheeting program such as Aspen Plus^TM. Or you can supply a detailed plant model packaged behind an easy-to-understand Excel interface to operations personnel for decision support.

Model libraries and open-source models

In addition to software, PSE provides a number of model libraries, including

The open-source Process Model Library (PML) of common process operations, distributed with standard gPROMS. Users can view the underlying relationships governing the models, and customise these to reflect their particular operation.
The optional Advanced Model Libraries (AMLs), containing highly rigorous mass-transfer and kinetic models of complex processes such as fixed-bed catalytic reaction, solution crystallisation and rate-based separation.

Open architecture, modern software principles

gPROMS embodies many of the latest software design principles, including an open architecture that means that it can be linked to virtually any external software running on any platform. This allows easy customisation and corporate compliance:

External software can be embedded in a gPROMS model
Via the gSERVER engine, gPROMS itself can be embedded in external software
gPROMS can run side-by-side with other packages, exchanging data as required.

Licensing and supported platforms

PSE is dedicated to supporting gPROMS products on multiple Windows and Linux platforms. Products are generally licensed on an annual, concurrent user basis, although perpetual licences are availabe for certain products.