Digital design tools for cyclic separation processes

Cyclic separation processes such as pressure-swing adsorption are fundamental to high-purity gas production.

However because of the cyclic – and thus inherently dynamic – nature of the operations, they are very difficult to design, with the numerical challenges of solving such systems poorly catered for by traditional simulation software.

gPROMS ProcessBuilder provides advanced modelling capabilities that can solve cyclic separation systems rapidly and robustly, allowing engineers to answer design and operational questions based on accurate prediction.

gPROMS ProcessBuilder for adsorption

gPROMS ProcessBuilder’s state-of-the art adsorption libraries allow easy construction and specification of high-fidelity adsorption flowsheets. With a ProcessBuilder model you can:

Determine cyclic steady state

Calculate the cyclic steady state to determine optimal operating conditions, energy consumption, bed dimensions and cycle times, to speed up design.

Minimise the number of beds

Determine the minimum number of beds required to achieve your separation – minimising capital and operating costs.

Select and prove new adsorbents

Rank and screen adsorbent candidates for a given separation and configuration, to evaluate performance vs cost and validate vendors’ claims.

Scale up or down easily

Scale your process up or down in order to purpose-build systems for specific feedstock, purity and flowrate requirements, with the minimum of pilot plant testing.

Single or multiple beds?

Investigate different bed configurations and test different materials, to minimise CAPEX and OPEX or maximize performance.

Test emergency scenarios

What happens when a valve doesn’t close properly? Establish safety, integrity or control procedures on failure.

Features & advantages

gPROMS ProcessBuilder provides a unique set of capabilities. Some of the key aspects are shown in the diagram below.

The model solution is underpinned by gPROMS platform’s advanced dynamic simulation capabilities, which provide robust and relatively rapid solution of the complex problem.

Supply

gPROMS ProcessBuilder and the gML Separations – Adsorption model library are licensed on an annual lease basis.