SIMBAD: A process simulator linked to a DBMS-III. The physicochemical properties package

LEONE, H.; MELLI, T.; MONTAGNA, J.M.; VECCHIETTI, A.; CERRO, R.L.

COMPUTERS AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 1987 vol. 11 p. 217 - 226

0098-1354

A system to predict physicochemical and transport properties for a steady state process simulator is presented. The data handling capabilities of the Physicochemical Properties Package are managed by a Data Base Management System. The structure of the physicochemical package is such that it allows access from the simulator as well as from external users without the need to compile and link the particular programs. This is the case of programs for Process Synthesis, Optimization, Equipment Design or simply interactive programs for the prediction of process stream properties. Thus, flexibility of operation is achieved as well as an efficient use of memory. Scope-Easy and prompt access of physicochemical properties has been one of the main problems associated with the design of chemical processes and the evaluation of process equipment performance. Large amounts of research have been done into the experimental determination of the physicochemical properties, as well as in the development of accurate and reliable correlations. The last 2 decades have seen the emergence of large and powerful data bases dedicated to providing a comprehensive treatment of components and mixtures properties as well as more modest, simple and fast systems associated with process simulators. The later type accumulates pure component data (critical constants, normal points, binary interaction parameters, etc.) in order to be able to predict single component and mixed stream properties. The emphasis in the design of the physicochemical package associated with steady state process simulators is efficient computation, flexibility and easiness to update data. Thus, the structure of memory used is of paramount importance in the overall performance of the simulator. Conclusions and Significance-The Physicochemical Properties Package presented here is based on a collection of executable versions of traditional property estimation programs. The system is supported by a physicochemical data base whose structure is defined and maintained by a data base management system of the network type. The structural flexibility achieved by this configuration assures a continuous updating of components as well as of the methods to be used for property estimation. © 1987.