Process Simulators: What Students Forget When Using Them, Their Limitations, and When Not to Use Them

Abstract

Abstract Steady state process simulators allow students to perform in-depth analyses of chemical process designs, including economic optimization, due to the ability to run multiple case studies rapidly. However, process simulators are not necessarily a panacea. The simulations should correspond to realistic equipment. Students often use them carelessly. Several typical examples of careless use of process simulators are presented. Process simulators also have their limitations in dealing with certain types of problems, like scale-up, scale-down, debottlenecking, and troubleshooting. Examples of situations in which simulation defaults should be changed and where problems might be more appropriately solved outside the simulation environment are presented.