question
stringlengths 19
6.88k
| answer
stringlengths 38
33.3k
|
|---|---|
Problem Statement: Could Aspen Polymer calculate Charpy and IZOD impact test result? | Solution: Aspen Polymer can calculate Molecular Weight Average, molecular weight distribution, composition, branching frequency and other properties that can be calculated directly from the moment equations.
However, Charpy and IZOD impact are empirical quality measures. Aspen Plus has no such predefined empirical or semi-empirical correlations to compute them. We suggest customers to find from literature the empirical correlations which relate product properties to polymer molecular structure attributes (Mn. Mw, etc.). Users then create Fortran subroutines or calculator blocks to add these correlations in polymer models.
You can find a template/example for user property subroutine under:
C:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Plus Vx.x\Engine\User/usrupp.f
C:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Plus Vx.x\GUI\App\Polymers\usrprp.f
Key Words
Aspen Polymer
Charpy impact
IZOD impact
Fortran subroutines
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: I have defined KPI’s from PIMS displayed in Planning Targets screen and I have imported Plant values displayed in Model Accuracy screen. How can I display Planned and Actual (Plant) values in Event Trend Screens? | Solution: To display Planned and Actual data in Event Trend Screens, go to Trend List (Trend > Trend list) and check the boxes under Planned and Actual.
Click “OK” to apply changes. Planned and Actual values will be displayed
Keywords: APS, Plant data, Integration
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to add a Strip Chart in Aspen HYSYS Dynamics? | Solution: Strip charts let you monitor the behavior of process variables in graphical format while dynamic calculations proceed. Note that current and historical values for each strip chart are also tabulated for further examination.
You can create strip charts individually using the <Strip Charts> folder on the navigation pane and click in <Add >. You can have multiple strip charts, each having an unlimited number of variables charted. The same variable can be used in more than one Strip Chart, so the use of multiple strip charts with a maximum of six variables per strip chart is recommended.
To edit a Strip Chart click on <Edit> and then in the <DataLogger> window. In this window user can select the Object> Variable needed to monitor and then the variables for example pressure, temperature or liquid level.
Then, click on <Display> button
To customize the Strip Chart, please go to <Graph Control>
To add variables to a strip chart directly from the streams, please refer to KB 000071964
Keywords: Strip Chart, Display, Dynamics, Display Variable, Time.
References: None |
Problem Statement: In hydraulic calculations, we can combine the pipe system curve and the pump performance curve to determine the operation point. Pump performance curve could be obtained from the vendor. How could I create a pipe system curve in HYSYS? | Solution: You can use a case study to create the pipe system curve in HYSYS. Please find the example file attached.
Under Variable Selection, define the flow rate as the independent variable, then define the pressure drop as the dependent variable.
Under Case Study Setup, specify the Start, End and Step Size value for the flow rate. Then click Run button.
You will get the pipe system curve under Plot tab:
Key Words
System curve
Case study
Hydraulic calculation
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I create a hypothetical component in Aspen Flare System Analyzer (Flarenet)? | Solution: In Aspen Flare System Analyzer (AFSA), you can create hypothetical components to be used on your simulation.
Creating a hypothetical component requires the user to manually enter some information, the user should then know at least the (a) molecular weight or (b) normal boiling point or (c) standard density of this component.
In order to create this Hypo-Component, go to the Component Manager window. This window appears automatically when creating a new simulation or can be accessed by clicking on the Home ribbon and then the Components button.
Start by clicking on the Hypothetical button at the lower part of this window:
In the upcoming window, the user can enter the component information. It is strongly recommended to use at least two of the mentioned properties (a, b & c).
The user should also select an appropriate component Type (i.e. HC).
Please note that more input fields are available in the Critical and Other tabs. If known, all these properties can be entered to improve the way AFSA will handle this component.
Any unknown information can be calculated by AFSA by clicking the Estimate button (shown in black numbers). These calculations will improve the more properties have been entered to the component.
Description of the fields on the Identification tab:
Input Field Description
Name An alphanumeric name for the component (e.g. - Hypo -1). Up to 28 characters are accepted.
Type The type of component (or family) can be selected from the drop-down menu provided. There is a wide selection of families to choose from, which allows better estimation methods to be chosen for that component.
ID The ID number is provided automatically for new components and cannot be edited.
Mol. Wt. The molecular weight of the component. Valid values are between 2 and 500.
NBP The normal boiling point of the component.
Std. Density The density of the component as liquid at 1 atm and 60 F.
Watson K The Watson characterization factor.
Keywords: Hypothetical, Component, Estimate, Hypo, Additional, New
References: None |
Problem Statement: Do you have a simple example showing how to create a databank with the new Aspen Properties Enterprise Database (APED) system? | Solution: See the attached zip file which contains a PowerPoint slide deck explaining step-by-step how to create a databank and enter data for a component. The slide deck describes different procedures to create a property database with databanks. https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000025903 and https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000056178 discuss about the most user-friendly procedure to create a custom property database with examples.
Keywords: Custom database, property database
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can I use a user defined ASW Template in other workbooks? | Solution: 1. Start with the Aspen Simulation Workbook (ASW) file where the template was created.
2. Go to the Manage Templates and select the Template and click on Export. Save the Template, it will have a .aswtt format.
3. Open your new ASW file.
4. Go to the Manage Templates window and click on Import.
5. Browse for the recently .aswtt saved file and click in Open.
If it is desired to use these templates for all the following workbooks. Create an Excel file with ASW enabled, import all the custom table templates and save the workbook. This file now can be used whenever in a new ASW session.
Keywords: Export, Import, Template, Aspen Simulation Workbook
References: None |
Problem Statement: User variable to switch controller mode based on controller output (OP). This type of override is useful for cascade controller where the master controller output can be override with manual input if the condition exceeds the normal operating limit. | Solution: In the attached HYSYS file, the level controller has a user variable that will switch the control mode to manual when the OP goes below the threshold limit from the controller. The threshold is can be entered in the Alarms page in the LowLow OP alarm field (see the screenshot below).
A user variable has been created to demonstrate the override functionality in the controller. This user variable has three modes of operation:
1. OFF - No action will be taken;
2. Reset - will reset the tripped status, the control mode will not be changed;
3. ON - when the OP gets bellow the threshold then it will switch to manual and send a message to the trace window if this is set on Verbose mode.
Refer to theSolution 000089019 for instructions on how to add the user variable.
The code from this user variable is given below. The users should be able to modify the code to make this appropriate for any specific application.
Option Explicit
Private myPID As Controller
' is tripped variable used to check whatever the controller ever got bellow the threshold
Private isTripped As Boolean
Private hyCase As HYSYS.SimulationCase
Sub PreExecute()
isTripped=False
End Sub
Sub DynExecute()
On Error GoTo catchError
Set myPID = ActiveObject
Set hyCase = ActiveCase
' read current status
If ActiveVariableWrapper.Variable.Value = 0 Then
Exit Sub
ElseIf (ActiveVariableWrapper.Variable.Value = - 1 And isTripped=True) Then
isTripped=False
Exit Sub
ElseIf ActiveVariableWrapper.Variable.Value = - 1 And isTripped=False Then
Exit Sub
End If
' if we got up to this point the user var is ON so we are to monitor the OP
If isTripped=True Then
hyCase.Trace (Controller + myPID.name + is Set on Manual!,True )
If myPID.Mode =cmAuto Then
myPID.Mode=cmManual
End If
End If
' This line of code checks if the PID's OP is in Low Low level
' and if yes it will update the isTripped flag
' and set the controller on manual on the next time step
If myPID.OpAlarmResults=pidLowLowAlarm Then
isTripped=True
End If
Exit Sub
catchError:
hyCase.Trace( OverrideControlMode User Variable Error & Err.Description, True )
End Sub
Keywords: Controller Override, User Variable
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to configure the Boolean Latch Gate in Aspen HYSYS? | Solution: The Boolean Latch Gate operation in Aspen HYSYS takes two input signals: one for set and the other for reset. Each of these signals comes from a Digital Point Operation (ON/OFF switch). This is similar to a switch with two push buttons.
The latch gate allows to select the output value (OP) when both of its inputs are high. This state is known in the industry as override state. The second input is the prevailing input meaning that if this input is high (1) the output from the Latch Gate can be manually set to high (1) or reset to low (0).
The latch gate function has been illustrated by an ON/OFF level control example. The screenshot of the flowsheet is given below. This example is attached with thisSolution.
The conditions used in the digital point operations for the two latch gate inputs are:
Input1-Low Level : Current vessel level (PV) <= 0.5m?
Input2-High Level : Current vessel level (PV) >= 1.0m?
In
Input 1
Input 2
Output
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
Hold Status
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
Override (Set or Preset)
The output from the latch gate is connected with a digital operation which generates ON/OFF signal for the valve to control the level of the vessel.
2 Output
Keywords: Dynamics, Boolean Latch Gate, Digital Point
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to configure a cascade controller in Aspen HYSYS Dynamics? | Solution: In cascade control setup the output of the primary controller is used as the set-point of the secondary controller. The primary reason for a cascade control is to allow faster secondary controller to handle disturbances in the secondary loop. For example, liquid level control involves dominant capacity and the response is usually slow. Since the flow control is fast responding, it can be used effectively as the secondary controller in a cascade control structure. See the screenshot of cascade level control given below.
How to configure a cascade control?
1. Create a secondary control PID loop. Provide connections for the Process Variable (PV) and Output (OP) target and specify the PV range via the Parameters tab.
2. Create the primary control PID loop. Select the source for the Process Variable. Link the Output target to the Setpoint of the secondary controller. Specify the PV range and set the control mode Auto via the Parameters tab.
3. Open the secondary controller and set the control mode Casc via the Parameters tab. The Setpoint mode will automatically be set Remote.
Keywords: PID Control, Cascade Control, Primary Controller, Secondary Controller
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can I check the thermal conductivity of a material using Metals file in EDR? | Solution: Go to File - New to create a Metals file:
Select a material from the databank, then enter the temperature starting point, temperature ending point and temperature increment:
Run the model, you will see the thermal conductivity of this material at different temperatures in Results - Properties Over a Range.
Key Words
Metals file
Thermal conductivity
EDR
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can I track the level or fill percent of a tank in Aspen Petroleum Scheduler (APS)? | Solution: Here is an example of how you can represent % fill or level of a tank. In this example I’m using a process tank but you could implement a similar structure for the crude tanks with the total volume.
In this example I’m tracking the % fill in process tank TVR1.
Define a new property to represent % fill. For example: FILL
Go to POST sheet in Units.xls. You will need to import the volume under #INPUT and define the formula to define FILL property under #RESULTS. This tank has a max volume of 200 so cell E25 is representing the % FILL.
Save changes and Reload Simulator
Go to Trend of TVR1 in APS. Double click on the TVR1(VOL) Plot to display tank properties.
You can also add a new trend for TVR1(FILL) and group it with another TVR1 trend. That way when you move through the trend chart you will see the % fill value:
Keywords: Units, tank fill level, property tracking
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can I see the audit log in Aspen Fleet Optimizer replenishment planner? | Solution: The Audit Log tracks all changes that are made to a shipment from the time the shipment is created to the time the shipment is considered delivered. The Audit Log captures the user information, the date and time, the origin, and the modifications that are made to the shipment. The user will also have a choice of viewing the Audit Log or printing the Audit Log. The Audit Log can be accessed from the main AFO screen, the Replenishment Planner, or by right mouse clicking on a shipment in Replenishment Planner. There is also an Audit Log Report that can be printed for a particular shipment.
To enable Audit Log and track changes to orders, go to Utilities > Settings > customize.ini > winopt. Look for OrderAuditLog field and set the value to 1. Click Apply and then OK to exit Settings window. If changes are not applied immediately, close the application and log back in.
Keywords: Retail, AFO, RP
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to extract column internal physical properties in HYSYS simulation? | Solution: To extract column internal physical properties, what you would need to do will be:
1. Double click on the column.
2. Search for the Performance tab.
3. Under the Internal Results, click on Transport Properties/Properties...
You can include the vapor properties in the report by checking the vapor phase in the properties profile of the Internal Results option of column.
Keywords: Aspen HYSYS, Column Internal, Physical Properties
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I replace the AspenTech logo with my company's logo in a Datasheet? | Solution: 1. Save or paste into the Templates folder of the ABE workspace (for example, C:\AspenZyqadServer\Basic Engineering**.x\WorkspaceLibraries\Templates) the company logo as *.bmp file. It’s very important that you always save the *.bmp file in the Templates folder of the corresponding workspace.
2. Reload workspace to update the templates in a workspace (right-click menu with workspace selected) using the Administration tool.
3. Open the Datasheet Definer. Then log in to the workspace, and open the datasheet file you want to customize. Delete the original bitmap with the Delete icon in the tool bar.
4. Select Bitmap from the Add dropdown menu.
5. Select the logo from the drop down list and click OK.
6. Generate the template and Save the change and again reload the workspace with the Administration tool. The datasheets from this template will now display the company logo.
Keywords: Datasheet, Datasheet Definer, bitmap, *.bmp, logo
References: None |
Problem Statement: When I set up the VPOOL structure for the streams (for example LN1, LN5, HN2, HN5) the model is only using the LN streams in the blending and not using the HN streams. Shouldn’t VPOOL force the model to use all the streams in a fixed ratio? | Solution: For the VPOOL structure, PIMS gets to optimize the ratios of the components in the pool, so it doesn't necessarily have to use all the streams if it can remove some from ALL VPOOL dispositions. It just has to be consistent about the ratios EVERYWHERE that is not an exception to the VPOOL. To force usage of a stream, you can put a MIN constraint in the BOUNDS table for the blending vector for the streams it does not want to use.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: When splitting or copying a pipeline crude receipt, the Shipment ID begins with B instead or PLI. Is this supposed to happen? | Solution: When the events are split then the Shipment Id will begin with letter B as the event type is not checked at the time of splitting the event. The right prefix is given only when creating the new event.
For further information on the Shipment IDs for different events, please refer to the KB article below:
https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000048643
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Does Relax Quality Bounds have any impact on bounds in the Generated matrix in PIMS? | Solution: No, since Relax Quality Bounds is a solver setting. It does not affect the bounds in the generated matrix. It allows the solver to relax the MIN/MAX values during the solve, if needed. It applies to all Q-variables except SPG.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Best Practice: Avoid Semi-colons in the folder path to prevent initialization error when running PIMS model | Solution: For PIMS models that use Access Database, make sure that you don’t have semi-colons in the folder path names as the Database connection strings (for access) are not allowed to have semicolons without an escape character, which could give you the below error message when PIMS is trying to write reports after completion of the run:
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: What are the recommendations when using ARW queries/functions that could improve performance? | Solution: When working with report writer, it would be better to use ARW dataset function ADTSPxxx to read data via RW queries.
1. ADTSPxxx function references to ATDBPMDB or ATDBPODBC for database connection, these two database connection functions provide filters forSolution IDs, model IDs, Periods IDs, and Case IDs.
2. Most of the dataset function ADTSPxxx provides filters for the tag IDs
So it is convenient to filter out data to improve the performance.
As for the extra columns, they will increase ARW memory, but won't impact the performance for ARW by much. There was a known performance issue, the root cause is due to the RW query RW_BlendComponentActivity, which is fixed on ARW to select data via a SQL string to get data from PrTables in V11.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: What is the recommendation when setting up a rundown component in the model? | Solution: When you are setting up a Rundown Component in the model, it is recommended to set it along with a splitter that splits the rundown into a stream that goes into the blend and another that goes to a tank. If you do not set it up like this, then the component has to be used continuously, and if there are time gaps between blends, you will run into issues. Please refer to the screenshot from the demo model below:
HTK is the rundown component that is set up with the Splitter MHTK, which has a stream going into a tank, and others going to blending.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Does the model setting “Fix Quality of Zero Flow Pools to Initial Values” have any effect on the properties in XBOUNDS table? | Solution: PIMS uses the dynamic bounding to implement this quality fixing, so having hard bounds in XBOUNDS, means that PIMS can’t move them. So, having hard bounds in XBOUNDS means that the available initial value it is fixed to for zero flow pools will have to be within those hard bounds.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: What is indexing and how to do it? | Solution: Indexing lets the user manipulate the costs for process equipment and installation bulks in order to mimic work methods and costs in case the equipment costs for a category are consistently offset from the estimator values. Bear in mind that indexing affects the full COA.
Material indexing accounts for:
Cost variances that are not time-based
Differences in design, content, quality, discounts
Poorly defined items
The Indexing adjust can be done at three different levels in the project: Project level, Area level, and/or Component level. Each level will overwrite the previous one, for example, if the index values are adjusted at an Area level, this will overwrite the indexing information specified for the Project level. Following you will find the steps to adjust index values at all three different levels.
Project level
The Material, Man hour, and Location indexes can be adjusted for the whole project from the Project Basis View | Indexing form, to do so, follow the steps below:
Right click in the Indexing form.
Click Select. Any index files available are listed, select the one you want to edit and click OK. The index file will be loaded, and the Select an Indexing File window will disappear.
Right click the Indexing form again and click Edit (or double click the Indexing form). The Indexing window will open listing Material, Man Hours and Location (**). Double click the specification type you want to edit.
To adjust the Material or Man-hour index follow the steps 5 to 10, to adjust the Location index seeSolution 97020.
Double-click Material or Man Hour. The appropriate editing window will open.
To adjust the index for all equipment or for all of one of the installation bulks, enter the index value in the box provided. For example, entering “200” in the Equipment box will double the material costs for all items under the equipment account group.
To adjust the index for a sub-category, click the arrow-button in the box. This accesses a similar form listing sub-categories corresponding to the Code of Accounts (see Icarus
Keywords: Indexing, costs adjustment, project index, area index, component index
References: , Chapter 34, for a complete list). Adjustments to a sub-category will over-ride adjustments made to the account-group.
Click OK to close the form and apply changes.
Area level
At the area level, you can also edit the indexing, but you cannot choose another external indexing file. Any area indexation will override project level indexation. Area indexation can be accessed through area options, to do so, follow the steps below:
Right click on the area to index.
Select Modify. The Area “Area Name” area Specifications window will open.
Scroll down to either Material or Man Hour index Info and double-click on it. The appropriate editing window will open.
You may follow the steps 6 to 10 described in the Project level indexation from this point on.
Component level
In a component level it is possible to make adjustments to material and labor costs using, to do so, follow the steps below:
Open the component by double-clicking on it.
Click in the arrow at the right of the Options button.
Select Mat’l/Man-hour % Adj. & Vessel Tracing from the drop-down list.
The following form will display in which you will be able to adjust the different specifications (Equipment, setting, piping, civil, etc.) costs in a percentage basis. |
Problem Statement: Will the Icarus cost engine round up to the next wall thickness or pipe diameter that is commercially available, if a value that is entered is not typical? | Solution: Yes, the Icarus software (for reporting purposes) will round up to the next commercially available size.
Keywords: round, rounding
References: None |
Problem Statement: Why is the Purchased Equipment cost under the Project Summary tab of the Results in Aspen Process Economic Analyzer higher than the sum of the Equipment costs on the Equipment tab? | Solution: When you run a complete Project Evaluation in Aspen Process Economic Analyzer (APEA), you can display the default HTML Item Report (Excel). In this report you can find several results organized by tabs.
When comparing the Purchased Equipment cost (Project Summary tab) with the total sum of the Equipment costs (Equipment tab) it is common to see a difference, with the Purchased Equipment cost resulting higher.
The cost difference comes from the calculations of the Purchased Equipment cost. The program calculates this number by adding up all the contents of the COA items from 100 to 299. In this range of COAs you can find COA 105, for Misc. Item Allowances and COA 107, for Warehouse spares. These costs are not associated to a specific equipment, but rather are estimated by the program as cost allowances or extra costs to consider in the evaluation.
The equipment cost on the other hand does not consider any extra allowance nor spare parts cost, just the individual equipment cost.
Given this behavior and because the Purchased Equipment cost includes extra items, it is always expected to see a bigger number under this field when compared to the sum of Equipment Costs.
Keywords: APEA, EQUIP.ICS, PROJSUM.ICS, Total equipment cost, Sum.
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to export datasheets in batch from Explorer to Excel? | Solution: You can export datasheets in batch from Explorer with the following steps:
1. Browse to the folder that contains the datasheets that you wish to export.
2. Right-click the selected datasheets and select Save. Then select the appropriate document status from the context menu. Select a location for the exported document and click OK.
*Note that the datasheets need to be contained in a folder to be able for export to work. Otherwise, you will see the options under Save are grayed out.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: The user gets the below error message when starting up Mtell System Manager after a new installation.
“Connection to MIS Web Service [http://...] failed. [Error: Unable to connect to the remote server]
Check IIS Manager to verify that ASP.Net v4 is enabled under ISAPI and CGI restrictions.”
In addition, they also get “The remote device or resource won't accept the connection” When trying to access Mtell Log Manager and Mtell View. | Solution: Check to confirm that ASP.Net v4 is enabled under ISAPI and CGI restrictions.
Go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Administrative Tools and double click on Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager to open IIS Manager.
Click on your server name
In the IIS section of the middle screen double click on ISAPI and CGI Restrictions
If any ASP.NET v4.0 have Not Allowed in the Restriction column, right click on Not Allowed and select Allow
Restart Mtell System Manager, Log Manager and Mtell View.
If the above steps have not resolved the issue, please check that the necessary Windows Roles and Features are installed. Please follow the steps below.
Click on Start > Server Manager to open Windows Server Manager
Click Manage > Add Roles and Features
On the Add Roles and Features screen keep clicking Next until Server Roles is highlighted in the left panel
In the Roles section of the screen expand Web Server IIS, Web Server and Management tools
Compare your installed roles under Web Server (IIS) with the checked boxes in the screenshot below. If there are any boxes that are checked in the screenshot but unchecked on your computer, please check them.
Click Next
In the Features section of the screen expand .NET Framework 4.6 Features (this might be .NET Framework 4. Features, depending on your server)
Compare your installed features under .NET Framework 4. Features with the screenshot below. If there are any boxes that are checked in the screenshot but unchecked on your computer, please check them.
Click Next
Click Install
If you added any roles or features, please run a Repair Mtell installation.
If the above steps did not work or if you had no new roles and features to install, check to confirm that you have a Default Web Site set up in IIS Manager for your server.
Go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Administrative Tools and double click on Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager to open IIS Manager
Expand your server node
Under your server, expand Sites
If you don’t have a Default Website listed under Sites right click on Sites and click Add Website
In the Add Website box enter Default Web Site in the Site name box
Click on Select... and set Application pool to DefaultAppPool
In the Physical path box enter %SystemDrive%\inetpub\wwwroot
Click OK
Run a Repair installation of Mtell.
Keywords: MIS Web Service
ISAPI
CGI
New installation
Mtell View
Mtell Log Manager
IIS
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to resolve the crash issue when using “Import from Library” option in Aspen HYSYS V11? | Solution: In Aspen HYSYS V11, when using “Import from Library” option in Petroleum Assay, HYSYS sometimes crashes.
This issue is caused by the setting file located at below path:
C:\Users\jakatep\AppData\Local\AspenTech\Aspen Assay Management\6.0.0.131\ AddLibraryAssayFormat.set
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\AspenTech\Aspen Assay Management\6.0.0.131\FormSetting.set
The workaround is to just delete the files located under folders in:
C:\Users\jakatep\AppData\Local\AspenTech\Aspen Assay Management\6.0.0.131 (AddLibraryAssayFormat.set & FormSetting.set)
Key Words:
Import From Library, crash, Petroleum assay
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Is there an example of a user Fortran K-Value (KVLU) subroutine?. | Solution: Attached is a simple demonstration of a KVLU subroutine. A Fortran compiler is needed to compiler and run the code in this example.
In this example, the K-Value is calculated from the Antoine Vapor Pressure (PLXANT) parameters in data set 1 according to the following formula:
xk(i) = pvap(i) - dlog(p)
This calculation should match the results for the IDEAL property method.
In the simulation file, all four Flash2 blocks are fed with the same equimolar mixture with a pressure drop of 0 and a vapor fraction (VFRAC) of 0.5. The following table illustrates the differences.
Block ID Property Method PLXANT Data Set KVLU
ID IDEAL 1 No
ID-KVL IDEALKVL 1 Yes
ID2 IDEAL2 2 No
ID2-KVL IDEALKV2 2 Yes
The vapor pressure parameters (PLXANT) in data set 2 for benzene will predict a much higher vapor pressure.
The blocks ID, ID-KVL, ID2-KVL give the same results. Only block ID2 is actually using the data set 2 for PLXANT since data set 1 is hard-coded in the subroutine KVLU.
The Control Panel will display information from the subroutine about the PLXANT calculation used by KVLU.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: I have a side draw on a column. How do I setup the side draw stream so that it automatically takes all liquid flow from the tray, i.e. not partial tray liquid flow, the total liquid flow? How do I achieve this for total vapor draw off? | Solution: A total liquid draw can be represented in Aspen HYSYS using one of the two configurations described below:
A. Instead of specifying a fixed flow rate for the draw stream, set the liquid flow rate from the total draw stage to a near zero value. The total draw rate will then be calculated such that the net liquid flow from the total draw stage to the stage below is nearly zero.
If you are modeling a pump around with total draw, then follow the steps below.
1. On the Side Ops TAB | Pumparounds click Add.
2. Define the stages where you are drawing and returning and click Install
3. If you know the duty or return temperature then specify it.
4. Then on the Design | Monitor page Add Spec and select Column Liquid Flow
5. Select the stage, where you are drawing total liquid and specify the flowrate to be small non-zero numbers (say 0.001 bbl/day).
6. Make sure the degree of freedom is zero and then run the column.
The prerequisite is that the column should run and converge before your pumparound is added so that you know the estimate value for the total flow rate of your draw stage although difference exist.
B. Eliminate the tray below the total draw stage (i.e. reduce the total number of stages in the tower by one). As there is essentially no mass transfer between the vapor and liquid phases on the tray below the total liquid draw (and hence no separation), this configuration will approximate the impact of a total liquid draw, but will likely result in a more robustSolution. To simulate heat transfer to (or from) the total draw stream using this method, connect an energy stream feed (or draw) stream on the return stage.
Vapor Bypass: The easiest way to model a vapor bypass is to use Side Ops input expert. To do this,
1. Double click on the column, Side Ops TAB | Vapor Bypass and click Add.
2. Then specify the draw stage and return stage and click install.
3. If you know the amount of vapor bypassed, then specify it.
4. For the case of total vapor bypass, leave the spec and go to the column monitor page and add spec button and select Column Vapor Flow as spec
5. Select the stage being bypassed and specify a small non-zero number (example 0.001 bbl/day).
6. Then run the column.
Keywords: Total Liquid Draw, Total Vapor Draw, Side Draws, Pumparounds, Vapor Bypass
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can I add and update Notes to document the progress of my Economics Project? Can I include them on a Report? | Solution: It is a good practice to document the progress made in the estimation project you are currently working on, this way any team member that works on this project can know how much information has been added to the Project Scenario and include their own progress.
Examples of what can be documented can include the Date for the latest update, if all the Equipment pieces have been added, if any correction has been done to the Bulks, if Indexing has been applied, etc. Any other relevant description that you would consider documenting could be included as well.
You can find a “notes” form in the Economic Evaluation programs, by going to the Project Basis View section, then look at the top of the list to find the Project Properties section:
You may recognize this window as the one that appears whenever you create a new Scenario.
You can use the Remarks section to add any note you consider to be relevant and keep all the users involved on this up to date. You may remove elements that you do no longer consider relevant for the state of the project where you are at. This section allows for up to 6,000 characters.
Note: You can paste information into this section from another text editor such as MS Word, but always keep in mind the character limit and that this section only allows for letters, numbers, and punctuation, so please avoid pasting unsupported characters (i.e. bullet points).
After adding your latest update simply click OK to store it, you can always come back and add a new note.
These notes can then be reported after running your project evaluation.
To do this, use the Standard reports:
Capital Cost Repots | Project Summaries | Key Quantity Basis or
Capital Cost Reports | Project Summaries | Account Basis.
Both these reports include a section called Project Notes where all these data is reported:
Keywords: Progress, Record, Notes Page, Recommendation
References: None |
Problem Statement: This article explains how to solve warning W1047 in Aspen Petroleum Scheduler (APS) for SMC Units. W1047 Property value XXXX is missing for SMC Unit ZZZZ | Solution: To solve this warning, go to the SMC unit indicated in the warning message. From the Menu, go to Model > PIMS Submodels and selct the unit on the left hand side of the PIMS Submodels Window.
Go to Build Ref tab, in the Properties section, click on the missing property from the PS column to select one of the properties defined in the APS model.
This warning occurs when there is a reference for the APS property to one of the properties defined in the PIMS structure. To review the references, go to the Summary tab in the same window.
As you can see in the image above, there was a reference for property CBI and row RCBIDTF from the PIMS submodel so the warning was generated.
To save the changes click OK. Warning will no longer appear when reloading simulator.
Keywords: APS, error log, submodel calculator
References: None |
Problem Statement: ProMV Online Deployment Failure caused by duplicate Data Source in ADSA. | Solution: When configuring ADSA, if there are multiple data sources set as default this will case ProMV service to try to write to multiple IP.21 instances, which is not allowed.
To resolve this issue, please make sure that you have only one data source set as default:
Once a unique data source has been set, deploy the model once again and this issue should be resolved.
Keywords: unable to deploy model online
model deployment
online model issue
References: None |
Problem Statement: When running a large model, the model crashes when trying to pull up a review, no matter the Mission Time. The error log might include the information below:
“Unexpected Exception Caught in App::App_DispatcherUnhandledException:
System.InvalidOperationException The specified Visual and this Visual do not share a common ancestor, so there is no valid transformation between the two Visuals.” | Solution: This crash often occurs when the memory available on the computer running the model is inadequate for the task, since a large number of timeslices/events will cause high memory usage.
To resolve this issue, increase the memory available on the affected computer, preferably to meet or exceed the minimum hardware requirements for Aspen Fidelis Reliability.
Keywords: Reviewing
Crashing
References: None |
Problem Statement: Can I view the PIMS Full | Solution: Report in Excel or .csv?Solution
The FullSolution Report can be viewed in the html or txt formats.
Depending on your model settings, PIMS produces the FullSolution report in the following file formats:
Report Type File type File Name
Text report .txt FullSolution.txt
Text w/ case stacking .txt FullSolutionnnn.txt
HTML report .htm FullSolution.htm
HTML w/case stacking .htm FullSolutionnnn.htm
HTML w/ separate frame for TOC .htm FullSolution_frame.htm
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Why are temperature values different between external stream and internal stream in Aspen hydraulics? | Solution: It's possible that the main flowsheet stream and Aspen Hydraulics Sub-flowsheet are using two different fluid packages.
When a stream goes through the boundary, and the Transfer Basis is set as 'P-H Flash', which means Pressure and Molar Enthalpy are fixed, while the Temperature, Vapor Fraction, Molar Entropy are recalculated by forward fluid package, it would result in a new temperature value for the same stream.
When you change the Transfer Basis from ‘P-H Flash’ to ‘T-P Flash’ (it might take a while for Aspen Hydraulics Steady State solver to converge the sub-flowsheet), you will get the same Temperature value in both internal and external streams.
Keywords: Aspen HYSYS, Hydraulics, Temperature Difference
References: None |
Problem Statement: How does the setting Fix Quality of Zero Flow Pools to Initial Values” work in PIMS-AO? | Solution: The purpose of this setting is to prevent the LP from pushing the quality to one of its bounds and then trapping it there. The solver will clamp the quality at the last good value (i.e., when the flow was last nonzero) and will unclamp it during the solve if the associated flow becomes nonzero.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I create a new unit set in Aspen Basic Engineering? | Solution: To create a custom unit set:
1) Go to the CLE and open the Library Model you are using, go to the Quantity Types tab and make right click on the Unit Sets folder and choose Insert Unit Set:
2) On the Unit Set window you can change the Default Units of Measure for all the options we have within ABE using the Change UOM option. Additionally, you can select Copy Unit Set button to copy the units for an already created set and then modify the units for the quantity type you are interested in changing.
3) Recompile the Class Library into a Class Store:
4) Reload the workspace through the Administration tool so that you can now see the new unit set in your workspace:
Keywords: Create Modify Unit Set, Customize, Class Library Editor
References: None |
Problem Statement: How does APS determine whether the values in the #MIX block of the Unit worksheet are in weight or volume? | Solution: The first property listed in #RESULTS of a user unit determines whether the values in the #MIX block of the worksheet are in weight (WGT) or volume (VOL). If the property in column D is WGT, the values under #MIX are in weight. If the property in column D is VOL, the values under #MIX are in volume. If the property is anything else, including empty, then the values in the #MIX section are all in volume.
Example:
In the example above, the values in the #MIX are VOL since the value in D14 is VOL. If D14 is WGT the values in the #Mix would be in WGT. If D14 is any other value, including no value, the values under #MIX would be in volume.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: What sections can be included in the Units workbook in APS? | Solution: You can include the following in the Units workbook (Units.xls).
Initialization Calculations
Customized initialization calculations
Pre-Processes and Post-Processes Calculations
Customized pre and post-processing calculations.
Scheduling Logic
Scheduling logic may be included in the worksheets or encapsulated in Visual Basic for applications (VBA) subroutines.
Property Indexes
VB unit functions can be defined for property indexes.
Event Calculations
Customized event automation functionality.
Process Unit Correlations
Customized process unit automation functionality.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Where are the number of process control loops reported? | Solution: The number of loops in an area can be found in the ccp report and is reported in the Area Bulk Report for each area:
Keywords: process control loops, loop, loops
References: None |
Problem Statement: Is there a limit on the number of crudes that APS (and automation) can handle? | Solution: Yes, the maximum number of Crudes that APS and automation can handle and transfer between the application and the Units workbook is 512. If there are more than 512 crudes, there will be issues with loading the simulator.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to set up email notifications for Live Agents using Aspen Mtell System Manager | Solution: 1. To setup email notifications for already Deployed Agents, in Aspen Mtell System Manager, Equipment tab,
2. Select the Equipment which the Agent is deployed
3. Then click on Agents under Health Monitoring section.
4. This should bring up a Health Monitoring Agents column, select the agent you want to setup a new Email Trigger
5. Click on New Email Icon
6. Fill in the relevant Email Notification details in the Notification Content section.
7. Click Save once all the relevant information is filled.
Keywords: Email setting
Deploy email
Extra email agent
Alert notification Live Agent
Forgot Email Setup
Additional Email notification
Multiple Email setup
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I transfer the data from the Simulator to the Units Workbook using the INPUT section? | Solution: The keyword #INPUT to transfer data from the simulator to the Units workbook (Units.xls). For example, use this worksheet section to transfer unit-operating parameters from the simulator to the Units workbook. You can also transfer values from one unit, stream, or tank to another unit, stream, or tank.
To transfer data between the simulator and the Units workbook (Units.xls):
Enter the keyword #INPUT in column A.
Enter the desired data identifier (e.g., Tank ID, Stream ID, Unit ID,) in column B.
Enter a description of the data identifier in column C.
Starting in column D and continuing horizontally, enter the properties you want to transfer from the simulator into the worksheet.
Example:
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: When trying to start Agent Services and Training Services, the Connected to Database checkbox remains unchecked, even after updating the registration. There may be a blue question mark icon or a yellow warning icon next to the Connected to Database checkbox.
Errors you see may include:
The agent service cannot communicate with the database data in its registration. Please update the settings and apply the new registration.
Unknown, database error.
Failed to load system configuration, will retry in ten seconds.
Login failed for user 'MtelligenceUser'.
Cannot open database MtellSuite requested by the login. The login failed. Login failed for user 'NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM'.
No configuration data was loaded. | Solution: Note: ThisSolution requires that the Windows user logged into the Aspen Mtell server has access to the SQL Server containing the Aspen Mtell database. If you do not have access, please ask your database administrator to enact these changes.
1. Open SQL Server Management Studio. Connect to your Mtell server. This may need to be done directly on the SQL server if you do not have Management Studio on the Aspen Mtell server.
2. In Object Explorer, navigate to Security > Logins. Right click on NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM and select Properties.
3. On the left sidebar of the new window, select Server Roles. Check the box next to sysadmin, then press OK. You can now close SQL Server Management Studio.
4. Open Aspen Mtell System Manager. Navigate to Configuration > Settings > Agent Services. In the right sidebar, under Database, change the Authentication Mode to Integrated. In the top ribbon, press Save.
5. In the top ribbon, press Update Registration until a window opens saying the service registration was successfully updated. Press OK to close the window. You should now see that the Connected to Database checkbox is checked. At this point, you can press Start Processing in the top ribbon to start Agent Services.
6. On the left sidebar, select Training Services. In the right sidebar, under Database, change the Authentication Mode to Integrated. In the top ribbon, press Save.
7. In the top ribbon, press Update Registration until a window opens saying the service registration was successfully updated. Press OK to close the window. You should now see that the Connected to Database checkbox is checked. At this point, you can press Start Processing in the top ribbon to start Training Services.
Keywords: Disconnected, Unchecked
References: None |
Problem Statement: Trying to open Aspen Mtell View leads to a server error within the internet browser.
Error messages may include:
Server Error in '/AspenTech/AspenMtell/MtellView' Application.
An exception occurred while processing your request. Additionally, another exception occurred while executing the custom error page for the first exception. The request has been terminated.
If custom errors are turned off in IIS manager you may get the following additional errors.
Cannot open database MtellSuite requested by the login. The login failed. Login failed for user 'NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE'.
Description: An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current web request. Please review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated in the code.
Exception Details: System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException: Cannot open database MtellSuite requested by the login. The login failed. Login failed for user 'NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE'.
Source Error: An unhandled exception was generated during the execution of the current web request. Information regarding the origin and location of the exception can be identified using the exception stack trace below.
You may also get the following message box when you open System Manager:
Connection Test
Connection to MIS Web Service failed. [Error: The remove server returned an error: (500) Internal Server Error.]
Check IIS Manager to verify that ASP.Net V4 is enabled under ISAPI and CGI Restrictions.
If you get this message box, skip to step 8 below. | Solution: 1. Open IIS Manager. Navigate to [your server] > Application Pools. In the Application Pools table, locate AspenMtellView. Take note of the user that is used by Mtell View in the Identity column (NetworkService in the below example).
2. On the left sidebar, expand down Sites > Default Web Site > AspenTech > AspenMtell. Select MtellView. Under IIS, double click on Authentication.
3. Make sure both Anonymous Authentication and Windows Authentication are enabled. If one is disabled, right click on it, then click Enable.
4. Open SQL Server Management Studio. Connect to the server with the Mtell database.
5. Navigate to [Server Name] > Security > Logins. Right click on the user found in step 1 (NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE in the below example) and select Properties.
6. In the properties window, under Server Roles, check sysadmin and click OK.
7. Restart your computer/VM.
8. If the above steps did not work, you may need to install .NET HTTP Activation. Open Server Manager.
9. Select Add roles and features.
10. In the new window that opens, press Next until you get to Features. Confirm that HTTP Activation is installed for .NET Framework 3.5 and .NET Framework 4.6.
11. If either HTTP Activation is not installed, check the boxes labelled HTTP Activation. Then, click Install.
12. After installing, you may need to restart your VM before Aspen Mtell View begins to work.
Keywords: Server Error
SqlException
TypeInitializationException
Connection Test pop-up
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I delete an agent that is deployed live? | Solution: Once an agent is deployed live, it needs to be deleted from Aspen Mtell System Manager first before deleting from Aspen Mtell Agent Builder.
Launch Aspen Mtell Agent Builder
Navigate to Machine Learning tab
Note the name of the live agent you want to delete
Launch Aspen Mtell System Manager
Navigate to the Equipment tab
Select the Asset where the agent is deployed
Select the Agents option in the Health Monitoring section
Highlight the agent you want to delete and select the Delete button from the ribbon
A confirmation message will appear
Launch Aspen Mtell Agent Builder
The agent will now appear as not deployed
Select the agent and press the delete button in the ribbon
Press OK
A confirmation message will appear
Keywords: live agents
delete agents
References: None |
Problem Statement: How does the length multiplier in pipe segments work in Aspen Flare System Analyzer? | Solution: The length multiplier is located in the Pipe Editor under the Fittings tab. The Pipe Editor can be reached by double clicking on a single pipe segment, or by selecting multiple pipe segments in the Pipe Manager (found in the Build section of the Home tab). This value is used to determine the equivalent length used for the pressure drop calculation. The explanation below illustrates how this value affects the calculations in Aspen Flare System Analyzer (AFSA).
For this example, consider initially a pipe with a length of 10 m, no length multiplier specified under the Fittings section and no fittings attached to it:
If the length multiplier is left blank, it will be using the value registered under Options | Initialization, by default this number is set as 1.00:
Therefore, with no length multiplier, after solving the simulation, you will see an Equivalent Length equal to the specified pipe length:
Now consider this same pipe specifying a length multiplier of 2.5, AFSA will assume the total equivalent length of actual pipe plus fittings will be 2.5 x Actual Length, so in this case you would expect an equivalent length of 25:
Finally, consider that we specify both, a length multiplier and a fitting.
To better understand what is affected by the length multiplier, first see the equivalent length of this pipe with a standard elbow attached and no multiplier:
The fitting effect will be seen reflected on the equivalent length calculation. On this case the length corresponding to the elbow is 4.71 meters.
To this same case add a length multiplier, this time of 3.0 to keep rounded numbers
Notice that the length multiplier only affects the actual pipe length that has been specified, and the equivalent length corresponding to the rest of the fittings will be added separately:
The formula that represents this number is:
Equivalent Length = (Length Mult) * (Actual pipe length) + (Fittings EqLength)
For this case we have: Eq. Length = 3 (10 m) + 4.71 m (from the previous example with elbow) = 34.71 m
The length multiplier directly affects only the actual pipe length and does not modify the equivalent length corresponding to the fittings attached to a pipe segment.
Keywords: Pipe, Length Multiplier, Example, Fittings, Equivalent Length
References: None |
Problem Statement: What is the Point No. in the “Analysis along shell” table? How could I modify the calculation grid re | Solution: ?
Solution
The ‘Point No.’ is the calculation point number along the exchanger. The program discretizes the exchanger into intervals for numerical calculations. You can modify the calculation grid reSolution (under Input/ Program Options/ Calculation Options/ Convergence Options) by changing it from the default medium to “Low”, High or Very high.
Key Words
Point No.
Analysis along Tubes
Calculation grid reSolution
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Process Explorer crashes for no reason even though the same operation has been performed before without any crashes. | Solution: The following procedure describes how a .dmp file can be collected and sent to the AspenTech support team so that the software developers can look at the problem.
1) Open task manager and find the Process ID of the application that will crash. Task manager may need to be configured to show the Process IDs of the processes that are running. Note that this number will change every time the executable is re-opened.
2) Go to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/dd996900 to download Microsoft's crash dump collector. Check that the client operating system is compatible with this software before downloading it.
3) Save this .zip file and extract the contents to an isolated folder. Make sure the files are unblocked.
4) Open the command prompt as an administrator and change the directory to the folder where the Procdump executable is located.
5) Type the following statement into the command prompt, keeping in mind that #### is the Process ID of the application that is crashing, and then press enter: procdump #### -ma -t
6) Proceed to recreate the application's crash. Once it crashes, there will be a .dmp file in the directory where the procdump executable resides.
7) Send the .dmp file that was generated to AspenTech support for further analysis.
Keywords: Crash dump
References: None |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to have more accurate timestamps than 0.1 of a second when historizing the data in Aspen InfoPlus.21 (IP.21) especially when inserting lab data? | Solution: The historian could have a timestamp as accurate as 0.000001 of a second.
The IP.21 timestamp format has a range from TS15 to TS 25. For example,
TS20 is DD-MM-YY HH:MM:SS.S
TS25 is DD-MM-YY HH:MM:SS.SSSSSS
Here is the procedure to modify timestamp accuracy:
1. Expand the definition record you want to modify, and click the Fields.
2. Change the IP_INPUT_TIME, IP_VALUE_TIME, and IP_TREND_TIME from TS20 to TS25 (or other TS formats based on your need)
3. The historian now has the timestamp as accurate as 0.000001.
Keywords: IP.21
Timestamps
Accurate
TS20
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I find how long an agent service takes to process all the live agents?
It is often useful to know how long each processing cycle is taking. This can be useful to troubleshoot agents not processing or errors related to agent processing. | Solution: 1. Open Aspen Mtell System Manager
2. Navigate the Configuration tab
3. Select agent services in the System Settings sub menu
4. Select Runtime Statistics
5. Press the Build Graph option
6. The below graph will explain how the agent processing is running over a period of time.
7. Click Get Latest Statistics
Live Agent Cycle Execution Times graph
Initialization time: This is the time the agent service takes to load settings
Acquisition time: This is the time agent services takes to gather the tag values from the historian
Total time: This is the total time to execute the full cycle and output probability values. This also includes the time it took to write in the SQL database
Latest Agent Service Performance Statistics: This section will report relevant information such as:
Cycle start time : the time the cycle started operations
Cycle end time: The time the cycle ended operations
Number of live agents: Number of agents deployed live
Number of live agents with errors: Number of agents that processed with errors
Number of processed agents: Number of agents that processed successfully
Number of triggered agents: Number of agents that produced alerts
Number of sensors accepted: Number of valid sensors data pulled from historian
Keywords: Not processing
Timeout
Anomaly Agent
Failure Agent
References: How do I change Agent Processing frequency in Aspen Mtell System Manager? |
Problem Statement: How do I create usage calculation agents using Aspen Mtell System Manager?
Usage calculation agents are agents designed to calculate a condition is true or false, such as how long the plant is up or how long does a certain value increases. | Solution: 1. Open Mtell System Manager
2. Select the Equipment tab
3. Navigate the Asset Hierarchy to find the asset of interest
4. In the preventive maintenance sub section, select the Usage Calculation option
5. Select the New option from the ribbon and type a name
6. In the usage rule settings fill in the condition
7. Make sure the agent’s settings are set to Runtime hours
8. You will be able to see the results for this agent in the calculated rules value section
Keywords: None
References: How do I change Agent Processing frequency in Aspen Mtell System Manager? |
Problem Statement: I have a centrifugal air compressor with motor, and notice that there are 2 motors being generated?.can you tell me what the both the motors are being generated for? | Solution: The bigger motor is for the air compressor and the smaller one is for the lubeoil pump motor.
Keywords: compressor, motor, centrifugal, gear, integral
References: None |
Problem Statement: When using Assay Manager to add new assays to the model based on the revised cut point some of the crudes have the cut yields sum up to 1 but some won't. What could be the reason for this? | Solution: This could be because the PIMS Table doesn't tabulate the Ethane composition, which some of the lighter assays contain. See Arabian Light-2012 below as an example - the deviation from 1 in the PIMS table can be explained by the Ethane pure component.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I use the RESULTS keyword to transfer Data from the Units Workbook to the Simulator? | Solution: The keyword #RESULTS is used when you want to transfer data from the Units workbook (Units.xls) back to the simulator. You can also transfer unit-operating parameters for any other unit, volume, or properties for any other stream or for any tank.
To transfer results from the Units workbook (Units.xls) back to the simulator:
Enter the keyword #RESULTS in column A.
Enter the data identifiers (e.g., Stream ID, Tank ID, Unit ID) in column B.
Enter a description of the data identifier, in column C.
Starting in column D and continuing horizontally, enter the properties you want to transfer to the simulator.
The table entries represent the values you want to transfer to the simulator from the worksheet.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to use the function Insert Existing Item in the Attribute view of the Explorer tool? | Solution: The Insert Existing Item option is used to insert an existing object into the attribute view of another object. You can insert an existing object in an attribute by following the procedure below.
- Double-click on the object in order to open the Attributes View.
- Select the first case column beside the attribute where you want to insert the object.
- Right mouse click and select the function Insert Existing Item. This will open a dialog window with a list of objects available for this attribute.
This function will not be available if you position the cursor on the attribute name. The cursor must be on one of the case column beside the attribute name.
Keywords: Explorer
Insert Existing Item
References: None |
Problem Statement: When I am using the Definition Editor to duplicate a definition, I get an error message “Failed to get next free id”. How to eliminate this error? | Solution: The error message “Failed to get next free id” indicates that the InfoPlus.21 administrator doesn’t have enough record ID available for the new record to use. The IP.21 assigns a unique internal numeric number to every record that gets created in the database, which is the record ID. If there is no free record ID, you will see the error message mentioned above.
To correct this problem, open the InfoPlus.21 Administrator, right-click on the InfoPlus.21 data source, select Properties, and select the tab for Record Utilization. Increase the total number of records. You should set the number large enough that you have enough available record IDs for the number of records you want to create, plus some additional for future growth.
After this change, the new record IDs are available for use, and the error message “Failed to get next free id” is eliminated.
Keywords: Definition Editor
Failed to get next free id
Record ID
References: None |
Problem Statement: Agent Services failed to Load System Configuration upon restoration of Database to new SQL Server although Aspen Mtell had successfully connected to the database. | Solution: This error message generally occurs when the required user permissions in SQL are present but the SQL Server is not configured for dual (windows and SQL) authentication. Follow the below steps to check if this is the case.
1. Open Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio and connect to the SQL Server hosting the Aspen Mtell Database
2. Right click on the Server Engine (1) and select Properties (2)
3. Navigate and select Security(3) from the Select a page tab
4. Make sure Server Authentication is set to SQL Server and Windows Authentication mode (4)
5. Click OK (5) to save these settings
Keywords: Database restore
Configuration error
Agent Service error
SQL Server
CBM
References: None |
Problem Statement: After modifying the unit of measure for record under Material data base maintenance from
(1 = British to 2 = SI ) does not change the values. | Solution: While creating new user defined material data base, this issue is observed when user tries to copy the existing data for example from “Old ASME” & paste it under “USER” the by default units are British & if user modifies it to SI user would not see the change in the values. For example, density is same as when the unit was British unit & no change after modification of unit to SI.
This is because: Values are required for the user to specify what unit set they are entering their values in. It should not be changing any values – this is by design.
User needs to update all the values carefully for user-defined material.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I create Rule Analysis Agents? | Solution: Rule Analysis agents are condition based agents which allows user to set some rule conditions on sensors and validate them over a period of time. Rule Policy agents will trigger alerts when the rule condition is met.
1. Launch Aspen Mtell Agent Builder
2. Select the Rule Analysis tab
3. Select the New button from the ribbon
4. Enter a Name in the blank box field
5. Select the Rule Policy option and press OK.
6. Select the Insert Function button
7. Select the desired function
8. Select the function from the first drop down
9. Select the time interval you are interested in calculating the value in
10. Press the sensor button or the sensor role and select the sensor you are interested in
11. The button section of the wizard will populate with the current output of the function and the expression of the function
12. Press ok
From the Analysis Definition window you can now edit your current rule utilizing the Insert operator button from the ribbon, this box will allow you insert any operator from the below list.
The insert sensor button will allow you insert a new sensor to the rule definition
Once you are satisfied with the rule you can now proceed and press on the validate button, this will validate the rule giving you confirmation it is well defined and giving you the current rule result.
You now have to save the rule selecting the save button from the ribbon.
The different functions you are going to be able to create your rule based agent on are the following.
Average Function
The average function will calculate the arithmetic mean value of a sensor tag over a selected time interval
Standard deviation
This function will output the standard deviation of a sensor tag over a selected interval
Minimum
This function will output the minimum values a sensor tag assumed over the time period.
Maximum function
This function will output the maximum values a sensor tag assumed over the time period.
Summation
This will output the sum of the sample values outputted over the selected period of time
Transitions
This function will output the number of changes a values undertook over a period of time. It is intended to be used associated with a discrete values such as a flag for an on/off switch
Get value
this function will output the initial value at the start of the selected interval
Slope
This function will calculate the slope of the sensor values over the period of time. This is defined as the change over the interval divided by the number of intervals between samples in the selected time interval
Keywords: rule policy
rule analysis
functions
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I export sensor groups to Excel from an Equipment Set Profile?
When moving agents from one database to another it will be necessary to transfer all active settings for these agents as can be seen here, together with these it will be required to recreate sensor groups on the new database. It is useful to export sensor groups in order to make the process quicker. | Solution: 1. Open Mtell Agent Builder
2. Navigate to the Machine Learning tab
3. Select the asset of interested
4. Select the Sensor Groups tab (1)
5. Right click on the group name (2) and select the export option
6. Select the location and filename to export.
Keywords: Exporting
extracting agents
importing agents
References: How to create a sensor group and import a sensor group from an excel file? |
Problem Statement: How do I create State Monitoring agents using Aspen Mtell System Manager?
Equipment offline states are important to define so that the machine learning engine will exclude the data from its pattern recognition computation for the periods of the time that the equipment (or process) is determined to be offline. This offline state is usually calculated using a Boolean condition rule. | Solution: 1. Open Mtell System Manager
2. Select the Equipment tab
3. Navigate the Asset Hierarchy to find the asset of interest
4. In the Asset sub section, select the States option
5. Select the New option from the ribbon and type the name for the agent
6. Refer to kb article on How do I create Rule Analysis Agents?
In this section it might be useful to replicate a condition that is an actual offline condition of the asset of reference
7. Verify that the condition Is validated
Keywords: offline condition
References: How do I change Agent Processing frequency in Aspen Mtell System Manager? |
Problem Statement: How is MBO component mapped to APS stream when using Copy from APS button in the Component Rundowns dialog box? Can this mapping be configured by user? | Solution: The mapping is done via stream name in APS and component name in MBO. For example, for component ALKY to copy rundown rate from APS, APS must have a stream called ALKY. You'll need to change the ID in the database table _ZSTRMS if you want to configure the mapping. If you don’t want to change the name of the stream, you can create a dummy stream and send all the properties via the POST worksheet.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to tune Rate based distillation column with available flow models? | Solution: Flow models determine how the bulk properties are calculated, relative to the inlet and outlet properties for each phase on each stage. Five different flow models are available to calculate bulk properties used in the mass and energy flux or reaction rates:
Mixed Flow
Counter current flow
VPlug Flow
VPlug-Pavg Flow
LPlug Flow
Mixed Flow Model (default):
Bulk properties for each phase assumed to be the same as the phase outlet conditions (leaving that segment)
Same case as equilibrium segments
Recommended for trays
Counter Current Flow Model:
Bulk properties for each phase are the average of inlet and outlet properties
Xiavg = ( xij + xij-1 ) / 2
Appropriate for packed segments
VPlug Flow Model:
Outlet conditions used for liquid and average conditions used for vapor
Outlet pressure used for vapor
VPlug-Pavg Flow Model:
Outlet conditions used for liquid and average conditions used for vapor
Average pressure is used
LPlug Flow Model:
Outlet conditions used for vapor and average conditions used for the liquid
Outlet pressure used for vapor
Flow model condition factors:
Also, users can use condition factors / weighing factors to adjust the flow models for stages near the top and bottom of the column when using a non-mixed flow model on Rate Based Modelling | Rate Based Setup | Global Setup
A value of 0.5 implies no change from the specified flow model while a value of 1 implies the mixed flow model is used at top or bottom. Values between this imply intermediate flow model.
Further, these changes are applied only to a portion of the column by the Flow model transition factor. Its default value of 0.2 indicates that top and bottom 20% of stages have these adjustments applied.
Example scenario:
Let us consider Ethyl benzene (EB) / Styrene separation column for separating 99% EB by weight in distillate (Feed containing 58% EB concentration by weight) using 55 Equilibrium stages (53+ reboiler+ condenser) with IMTP 2inch Norton metal packings at 45 torr condenser pressure.
The equilibrium model fails to run in rate-based calculation approach because of the internal design spec target. To this scenario, there are two possibleSolutions:
If the number of stages in rate based is same as that of equilibrium calculation, then we can only achieve the design spec target at infinite mass transfer rate. Hence, we must increase the number of stages and typically we may need to roughly double the number of stages to achieve design spec target with rate-based calculation.
[or]
Changing the flow model from Mixed flow to Counter Current Flow model type (appropriate for packing internal type). This changes the calculation of the bulk properties for each phase. In the default (mixed) flow model, the bulk properties are assumed to be the same as the outlet conditions leaving that stage (as is the case on equilibrium stages). In the countercurrent model, bulk properties for each phase are an average of the inlet and outlet properties, e.g., Xi,avg = (xi,j + xi,j-1) / 2.
Keywords: Flow Model, rate-based, Mixed Flow, Counter current flow, VPlug Flow, VPlug-Pavg Flow, LPlug Flow
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to Interpret clusters on a Loading Plot in ProMV Offline Model? | Solution: Loading Plot (p1-p2 plot) is very commonly interpreted in a ProMV offline model. It is a visualized tool for us to see which individual process variables are positively correlated and which are not. How can we decide if variables belong to the same cluster?
If individual variables belong to the same cluster on a Loading Plot, it means these variables move “up and down” together. In other words, they are positively correlated and their data rae likely to increase or decrease together. If we take the following Loading Plot for example:
There are 5 individual process variables on the plot and they all seem to stay at different corners. So how to decide how many groups of clusters are in this loading plot? The correct way is to project the individual variables to a line that crosses the origin and an individual variable. If we were to analyze variable LCB, what we should do on the plot is the following:
We draw a line through the origin and LCB. Next, project the other variables to this line perpendicularly.
The points close together on the line could be one cluster.
In this example there should be 2-3 clusters. LCB and Conv are very close together so they are positively correlated. Mw is a little more far away but it is still pretty close. It should still be positively correlated with the Conv – LCB group but the correlation will be weaker. Mn is on the other side which is negatively correlated with the other ones.
How could we validate the above statement?
We can create a custom plot with X as range, and Ys as Conv, LCB, and Mw to view their original process data.
You can see the 3 variables move up and down together. They are correlated different ways, but the trend is confirmed. If we look at Mn vs Conv original data plot, you will see the opposite trend.
This means we have 2 major clusters: Conv, LCB, Mw, and Mn on its own. The PCA model has decided the principle components explain the variation in the original individual variables best this way.
Keywords: ProMV Clustering
Identify clustering in offline model
References: None |
Problem Statement: Will Aspen Capital Cost Estimator adjust the pile spacing or always use the specified or default value? | Solution: Aspen Capital Cost Estimator (ACCE) will always use either the user specified pile spacing, or if that is not specified, it will use the default spacing type applicable for the pile chosen. The spacing will not be adjusted by the system.
Keywords: piles, spacing, pile spacing, load
References: None |
Problem Statement: Why might the program be generating structure cost for me EXOPEN area? | Solution: Typically this cost is because a length has been entered in the Pipe rack length field (Project Basis View - Area Steel Specifications), which causes the system to generate pipe rack costs
If you enter a 0 (zero) for the Pipe rack length then the pipe rack will not be generated.
Keywords: EXOPEN, Existing Open, Structure, Steel
References: None |
Problem Statement: Will any of the Icarus tank models also prepare the cost of budwall? | Solution: The Icarus software does not account for a bundwall. This is because a bundwall is a casing of either concrete or earth which surrounds an oil storage tank.
The tank models that Icarus has in the software do not specify what the tank will be used for, so the Icarus software will not account for a bundwall.
So, if you need to account for a bundwall on your tank, your best bet is to enter your data for your tank (cone, floating roof), and then specify additional concrete (through the Civil installation bulks on the tank) to account for the height of the bundwall and the surface area within it so that the internal volume is 110% of the volume of liquid contained in the storage tank. These bundwalls must be strong enough to contain the liquid, upon tank rupture, without collapsing. It will be your estimating experience that will help you to know how to design this bundwall so that it will not collapse.
You might also want to remember, that for the removal of liquids from within the bundwall, (i.e. rainfall or leaked oil, a system of piping must be fitted during the bundwalls creation. In this case, you will need to add additional piping to this tank to account for the removal of these liquids. You can do this from the (through the Piping installation bulks on the tank).
Keywords: bundwall, tank
References: None |
Problem Statement: Aspen ProMV allows to align batch data but how the user can extract the data after the alignment is performed? | Solution: To extract the data after the alignment is performed, please follow these steps:
1. Perform the ProMV model as usual
2. Click in Edit and select Manage Data.
3. In the Batch Blocks Tab , select the desired data and click in Export Data
4. Save the Excel File in the desired location
5. If the export process is complete you will receive the following message
6. Open the new Excel File and review the aligned data
Keywords: Batch, Data, Align, Export
References: None |
Problem Statement: I am trying to log into Aspen Mtell View using Admin as my username and the password set during Aspen Mtell configuration, but I get an error saying User not found. If I log in as a different user I am able to access Aspen Mtell View. | Solution: This is functioning as designed. When security is enabled in Aspen Mtell, the Admin username and the password created during configuration are available to be used as a last resort to login to Aspen Mtell if all other users are disabled or otherwise unable to access the application. If this is the case, the admin credentials should be used to log into Aspen Mtell System Manager, where a different user can be enabled or created and will be able to access Aspen Mtell View.
Note: The admin password should be kept secret, as the Admin username will always have access to Aspen Mtell System Manager and Aspen Mtell Agent Builder.
Keywords: Security
Cannot access Mtell View
Cannot access Aspen Mtell View
Unable to access Mtell View
Unable to access Aspen Mtell View
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to create shortcut to view specific site in Aspen Mtell View?
When using Mtell View some user will be responsible with monitoring one single site or one single asset, it is possible to enable them to access the asset or site without navigating through the dashboard | Solution: 1. Launch Aspen Mtell View
2. Select the specific site of interest
3. The address bar will show unique URL for every page.
If using Google Chrome
1. Drag and drop the icon on the left onto the user’s Desktop
2. From now on when launching Mtell View user can directly launch from shortcut link
If using internet explorer
1. Copy the URL within the address bar
2. Navigate to the desktop
3. Right click and select new-> shortcut
4. Paste the URL and Click Next
5. Use the shortcut icon to view the specific site page.
Keywords: Management
Links
Separate
browser
address
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to create preventive maintenance agents using Aspen Mtell System Manager?
The Preventive Maintenance (PM) section provides an interface for the system administrator to use meter-based preventative maintenance more effectively. The Administrator can use this tab to map real-time data from an OPC server or plant historian to meters associated with an existing PM in EAM systems such as Maximo.
Let us assume a pre-existing PM defined in IBM Maximo as follows | Solution: 1. Open Mtell System Manager
2. Select the Equipment tab
3. Navigate the Asset Hierarchy to find the asset of interest
4. Click the hide equipment selector button in the ribbon
5. In the section in the middle of page, in the preventive maintenance sub section, select the preventive maintenance rules option
5. Select the Import from EAM option from the ribbon and choose a name for the agent in the pop up
6. In the window select a rule from the EAM
7. The Aspen Mtell System Manager is populated with all the Maximo PM related data as shown below. All you have to do from here is to make some optional configuration choices and map the sensor tag that corresponds to the Compressor 01 runtime accumulator tag, per (10) below.
Keywords: scheduling agent
importing from SAP
References: How do I change Agent Processing frequency? |
Problem Statement: How to converge Rate based model which fails to converge with constant Err/Tol value after initial iteration? | Solution: There are scenarios where all the input specifications may be satisfactory, yet, Rate based calculation approach fails to converge within the maximum iteration (failed with constant Err/Tol value after few initial iterations).
This might probably be due to the scaling based on the Jacobian elements. To these cases, we can increase the functional scaling to Jacobian elements from its default 0.25. A value of 0 indicates there is no additional scaling. This functional scaling parameter can be tuned in Rate-Based Modeling | Rate-Based Setup | Convergence
Consider an example absorption tower modeled for abosrbing CO2 vapors using 80% NaOHSolution having 18 equilibrium stages packed with BERL 0.5inch ceramic saddle packings and operated at 2.5 atm. Simulation model fails to converge in ratebased calculation type.
RateSep convergence iterations: ABSORBER
Iter Err/Tol
0 3321.1
1 3226.5
2 2109.6
3 963.58
4 164.40
5 26.915
6 5.4852
7 1.9228
8 1.4433
9 1.4321
10 1.4320
11 1.4320
12 1.4320
13 1.4320
14 1.4320
15 1.4320
16 1.4320
17 1.4320
18 1.4320
19 1.4320
20 1.4320
21 1.4320
22 1.4320
23 1.4320
24 1.4320
25 1.4320
** ERROR
RATESEP CALCULATIONS FAILED TO CONVERGE
ITERATION LIMIT REACHED
Upon increasing the functional scaling parameter to 0.5 from its default value, then the RateSep calculation converges within the iteration limit.
RateSep convergence iterations: ABSORBER
Iter Err/Tol
0 530.84
1 765.67
2 478.76
3 226.36
4 31.705
5 0.31500
6 0.57265E-01
Keywords: Rate-based, Functional Scaling parameter, Jacobian, Absorber
References: None |
Problem Statement: .
BLOWDOWN stops with an error prompt 'Substep too small' | Solution: .
TheSolution to this issue is to use a smaller step size for the run. The step size can be changed on the Run Controls / Time Intervals tab. Sometimes you may have to use a really small step size like 0.05 sec's to get past the error.
Key words.
Substep, Time Intervals
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: I am confused by the wording in the detail bulk reports that for the labor component: 'Pull wire in conduit' for each cable.
Does this mean that it's 'place wire in cable tray' or something to that effect? | Solution: When you select that you want M-NC (Multi-core cable less conduit), this means is that Aspen Capital Cost Estimaor will give you the cable, but not the conduit.
The labor item 'Pull wire in conduit' refers to the labor cost for the multi-core cable itself.
Keywords: conduit, wire, cable
References: None |
Problem Statement: In Aspen Mtell, an agent is not going offline according to its asset's offline conditions. For instance, you may be seeing an alert when the asset should be offline. | Solution: When creating an agent, there is a checkbox to Exclude Offline Intervals that is checked by default.
If this box is not checked, then the agent will ignore the offline conditions specified for the agent's asset(s). In other words, what should be offline time would instead be seen as normal (green) or alerted (red).
Thus, theSolution to an agent that is not recognizing its offline conditions is to check the Exclude Offline Intervals box. You can do this by following the steps below:
1. In Aspen Mtell Agent Builder, click on the Machine Learning tab and select the agent
2. Click Edit in the top ribbon. Alternatively, you can right click on the agent and select Edit Agent.
3. Click Next to go to the second page of the Machine Learning Agent Wizard
4. Click The Exclude Offline Intervals checkbox to check it
5. Keep clicking Next until you get to the end of the Wizard
6. Retrain your agent.
Note: In V11.1.0.1 and older, the Exclude Offline Intervals checkbox may not be shown in the edit agent wizard. If you wish to check/uncheck this box for an existing agent, you can do one of two things:
Upgrade to V11.1.1, then edit the agent.
Create a new agent that replicates the existing agent, making sure to have the Exclude Offline Intervals checkbox checked on creation. You cannot clone the agent, since cloning an agent will carry over the Exclude Offline Intervals value from the original agent.
Keywords: Aspen Mtell Agent Builder
Aspen Mtell System Manager
Aspen Mtell View
offline conditions
supposed to be offline
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to change the order of UOM (unit of measure) that appear in end-user applications. | Solution: The UOMs appear in the same order that is defined in Class Library Editor (CLE). You can change them on the quantity tab in class library editor. To change the UOM display order:
· Open the Class Library Using CLE.
· Go to the Quantity Types tab.
· Find the Quantity Type you want to change and double click on it to open its properties.
· In the Properties window, you can change the UOM display order by moving the up and down arrow as shown below:
Keywords: Units, Settings, Definitions, Unit Sets
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I see all users working in an Aspen Basic Engineering (ABE) Workspace? | Solution: You can see connected users from the ABE Administration tool.
Follow these steps to see connected users for any particular workspace.
1. Open the ABE Administration tool.
2. Select the workspace for which you want to see all connected user, it may take a few seconds to open the workspace depending on the size of the workspace.
3. Once workspace is open, double click on Connected Users as shown in screen shot below.
4. This will show you all connected users for that particular workspace in the right-hand-side window, including some additional details such as Connected Date and Date of Last Activity.
Keywords: connected users, current user, logged user, all logged user, logged user
References: None |
Problem Statement: Why do I sometimes not see Key Quantities for my Civil Paving account? | Solution: Whether or not you see Key Quantities reported for Paving is a function of what is being done in your project. Often times, depending upon whether concrete or asphalt is chosen, there will be many different units of measurement reported (a mixture which could consist of area, volume, length, and weight). Because of this mixture of units there is not one Key Quantity for the system to select.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I set up security (forms based authentication) for Aspen Mtell View? | Solution: 1. Open Aspen Mtell System Manager and click on the Configuration Tab(1)
2. Select Security Settings (2) and check the Security Enabled box (3)
3. Save(4) these settings
4. Click on your Start or Windows button and type in IIS Manager to open the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager
5. Navigate to the MtellView site(5) as displayed in the screenshot below. Double click on Authentication(6) to enter the field.
6. Make Sure Forms Authentication is set to Enabled(7)
7. This will enable Security for the next time you open Aspen Mtell View on that server
Keywords: Forms Authentication
MtellView Users
MtellView password
IIS
Mtell Forms
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to check the Class Store used in a Workspace? | Solution: The Class Store used can be checked in the .cfg file inside the Workspaces Libraries. The default route is C:\AspenZyqadServer\Basic EngineeringXXX\WorkspaceLibraries
Note that for V11 XXX is 37.0, for V10 is 19.1 and for V9 is 18.1
Open the StandardLibrarySet.cfg file with the Notepad.
Review the path and name for the Class Store.
IMPORTANT: The .cfg file is OOTB and it's included in the Workspace Library by default.
If the Class Store is overwritten in a different location, it can be simply copied to the path the .cfg stands. Just be sure the Class Store name written in the .cfg file has the same name as the Class Store file (eg. StandardModel.azcs).
Keywords: Class Store, Workspace, Workspace Libraries
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I open an Aspen Flare System Analyzer file saved in a version newer than my current version? | Solution: Aspen Flare System Analyzer (AFSA) is backward compatible, so V11 can open up V10 files without issue. However, in order to open up a file in a previous version, the file must be exported into a standard format in the current version and then imported into the previous version.
You can export the flowsheet as an Access (.mdb), XLS, or XML file using the Export Wizard feature in the File menu (.mdb and .xml file types are recommended. For more information, refer to this KB.)
Simply navigate to the desired location, select the desired file type, and continue using the default selections.
In the lower version, the newly created file can be imported using the Import Case option in the File menu.
Keywords: lower version, backwards compatibility, Access file, Export wizard, Import Wizard
References: None |
Problem Statement: I am trying to rate a thermosiphon reboiler, but the Thermosiphon Piping is not active in EDR. | Solution: To activate the Thermosiphon Piping, under Input – Problem Definition – Application Options, you need to select the vaporizer type as Thermosiphon.
Key Words
Thermosiphon Piping, Application Options , EDR
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Do Aspen Plus columns support KG PROVALVE, KG VG-0 and KG MV-1 MINIVALVE as tray types? | Solution: Aspen Tech has agreements with some suppliers (like Sulzer) that they will supply all models and information about their trays/packings. However, Aspen Tech doesn’t have such an agreement with Koch-Glitsch. Aspen Plus columns don't support KG PROVALVE, KG VG-0 and KG MV-1 as tray types. The Flexitray S-type fixed valve tray (FLEX-S) is the closest tray type and the only way to go. If you have some plant data, you may adjust the FLEX-S tray parameters (such as the number of valves) to match the plant data.
For Koch Flexitray and Nutter Float Valve trays, Aspen Plus uses procedures from vendor design bulletins. Two versions of vendor design bulletins are available for Koch Flexitray:
Bulletin 960
Bulletin 960-1
Note: These bulletins apply to earlier versions of Koch Flexitray. Koch-Glitsch does not release the information that would allow their current tray designs to be precisely modeled in Aspen Plus.
Key Words
FLEX-S
KG PROVALVE
KG VG-0
KG MV-1
Fixed valve tray
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: The Unit Material And Unit Man-Hour values are not populated for Quoted Items (even though the values are present on the quoted item input form) for some of the code of accounts in the Combined (IPM-Full) excel report (Excel Reports > Direct costs > Installation Details). | Solution: This is because you are looking at the Combined (IPM-Full) report. Instead use the Combined (Full) report. If you do not get the Combined (Full) report shown on the listed Excel reports, please see the following Knowledge Base (KB) article: 97228
Keywords: Unit Material, Unit Man-hour, Installation Details Excel Report, Aspen Capital Cost Estimator (ACCE)
References: None |
Problem Statement: Error message voltage specified out of range. | Solution: This error message comes due to the mismatch of the Circuit Breaker (CB) rated voltage to the voltages specified in the electrical design specs. The values of the CB Rated voltage must be equal to either of the low, medium, and high voltages specified in the project electrical design specs.
Keywords: Circuit Breaker, Rated voltage
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to get Valve size Cv for all valves available in HYSYS flowsheet in MS-Excel at once? | Solution: It requires a backdoor message of :SizeValve to be sent to the valve's backdoor interface. This message can be discovered using the script manager in a workflow that is described on the AspenTech Support Center for finding backdoor monikers and messages. The Cv value is held in the Resistance property of the valve's interface.
Please refer to the below KB articles for your quick reference:
https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000090957
https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000088892
Attached is a sample MS-Excel Macro file for your quick reference.
Dim hyapp As HYSYS.Application
Dim hycase As SimulationCase
Public Sub Test()
Set hyapp = CreateObject(HYSYS.Application, )
hyapp.Visible = True
Set hycase = hyapp.SimulationCases.Open(Sheet1.Cells(2, 9).Value)
hycase.Activate
Dim vlvs As Operations
Set vlvs = hycase.Flowsheet.Operations(valveop)
Dim varValve As Variant
Dim vlv As valve
Dim bdVlv As BackDoor
Dim vlvCv As Double
Dim iCount As Integer
iCount = 7
For Each varValve In vlvs
Set vlv = varValve
Set bdVlv = vlv
'use backdoor message :SizeValve
bdVlv.SendBackDoorMessage :SizeValve
'valve Cv value is held in the Resistance property
vlvCv = vlv.Resistance.GetValue(USGPM(60F,1psi))
Sheet1.Cells(iCount, 3).Value = varValve
Sheet1.Cells(iCount, 4).Value = vlvCv
iCount = iCount + 1
Next
End Sub
Keywords: Size valve, Cv, etc.
References: None |
Problem Statement: -
Aspen Mtell View may fail to open, giving a Error message 401.2: Unauthorized: Logon failed due to server configuration error message when Security is enabled in Aspen System Manager. This could be an issue with IIS settings for the MtellView webpage.
Error message 401.2: Unauthorized: Logon failed due to server configuration | Solution: 1. Click on your Start/Windows button and type in IIS Manager to open Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager
2. Navigate to the MtellView site (1) as displayed in the screenshot below. Double click on Authentication to enter the field
3. Make Sure Forms Authentication is set to Enabled (2)
Keywords: IIS error
MtellView Security
401.2
Forms Authentication Mtell
References: None |
Problem Statement: When accessing a measured variable in a pipe profile (such as the exit velocity at the outlet of the pipe) in a sensitivity analysis, how do I enter ID1 for this variable? Is it the pipe length? | Solution: The table of the profile variable (PROF-VELOC in this case) can be found on the Pipe | Results | Profile sheet:
In the example above, the pipe is divided to 11 nodes (from 0 to 6 ft, with 0.6 ft intervals). Therefore, if you want to define the exit velocity which is the last point as measured variable in the sensitivity analysis, the ID1 should be 11 (the last row). You should not directly enter the length in ID1.
As an alternative, you can use copy & paste or drag & drop to define the variable, then the ID1 of the variable will be automatically filled.
Key Words
Sensitivity analysis
Pipe profile
ID1
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to account for shared piping line sizing for multiple relief devices? | Solution: To account for the shared piping, user will need to use the Flow Multiples. Flow multiple is the flow rate used to calculate the pressure drop across the segment, as a percentage of the Flow Rate specified in the Line Sizing Inputs table. It is intended to account for the pressure drop across shared piping in a multi-valve system; shared piping should have a flow multiplier greater than 1.
To modify the flow multiples field, go to the 'Edit Pipe & Fittings'. Please see below:
Keywords: Line Sizing, Shared Outlet Piping, Safety Analysis
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to import the data from text file to Aspen Operations Reconciliation and Accounting (AORA) model through Aspen AORA Connect? | Solution: Here is the procedure:
1. Run Aspen AORA Connect select “Process File Configuration”; click the “+” button on the top right corner to add a new process file.
2. Enter the Process File name; select “Text Process” as Type; select “Standard Process” as Process; select “Specific Time” as Mode.
3. Configure the “Text File” and point the path to the text file you want to import.
4. Copy the path from “Text File” and paste it to “Backup File”, modify the “.txt” to “.bkp”.
5. Copy the path from “Text File” and paste it to “Log”, modify the “.txt” to “_”.
6. Click “OK”, and the new “Process Files” has been added.
7. Go to “Process Group”, click “+” button on the top right corner to add a new process group. Enter the new group name, and select the process file in the group.
8. Click “OK”, and the new “Process Group” has been added.
9. Go to “Execution”, select the Model name, enter the Username & Password, modify the Model time. Select the files and click “Execute”, the data will be import from the text file to AORA.
Keywords: Aspen Operations Reconciliation and Accounting
Connect (AORA)
Data Import
References: None |
Problem Statement: After reading successfully the value from one tag using Test API, when trying to read the value from a second tag you keep getting the value read from the first tag tested. Nevertheless, if you see both tags plotted in Aspen Process Explorer or aspenONE Process Explorer, different values are displayed. | Solution: Make sure that when running Test API the parameter list id is NOT set to [1], as this will stop the tag list used by Test API from being updated.
If list id is set to [1], just open again Test API, change it to [-1] click enter and continue using Test API.
After this, you should be able to read the right parameters for every different tag.
Keywords: Test API
References: None |
Problem Statement: When I am trying to publish a graphic from Aspen IP.21 Browser Graphic Studio to aspenONE Process Explorer, an error message WARNING! Java compiler not found in <\bin> pop up. How to eliminate this error message? | Solution: The error message WARNING! Java compiler not found in <\bin>.” indicates that either the Java JDK hasn't installed on the machine running the Graphic Studio or the graphic is not pointing to the correct Java JDK location.
Here is theSolution
1. Check if the 32-bit JDK is installed on your machine. If not, please download and install it, you might need the help from the IT team for the installation permission.
Here is the AdoptOpenJDK Java download link: https://adoptopenjdk.net/releases.html#x32_win
2. If the JDK is installed, check if the graphic is pointing to the Java JDK location.
a) Launch Aspen IP.21 Browser Graphic Studio.
b) Open the project.
c) Click on Tools | Project Properties
d) Check if the JDK path is pointing to the correct JDK folder; if not, point the JDK path to the correct JDK folder.
3. After installed the Java JDK and pointed the graphic to the correct Java JDK folder, re-publish the graphic. The error message WARNING! Java compiler not found in <\bin>” will be eliminated and the graphic will be published successfully to aspenONE Process Explorer.
Keywords: WARNING! Java compiler not found in <\bin>.
Java JDK
aspenONE Process Explorer
Graphic Studio
References: None |
Problem Statement: When trying to access to the Aspen HYSYS Online Help, the following text appears:
Help landing page does not exist | Solution: This issue occurs due to a corrupted Aspen HYSYS installation since the help files could not be saved on the right folder. Hence, in order to solve this issue, one has two alternatives:
1) Repair the installation of Aspen HYSYS.
2) Or, if user checks this directory: C:\ProgramData\AspenTech\Aspen HYSYS VX.X\HtmlHelp, user will notice that the folder is empty, so we can provide with a copy of all the topics help files available (as per below screen capture) for Aspen HYSYS, and these files can be pasted on this folder.
As soon as user opens Aspen HYSYS after pasting these files, the Online Help content will be available.
Keywords: Help landing page does not exist, Online Help, HtmlHelp.
References: None |
Problem Statement: What is the Tube Metal Temp in the interval analysis along the tubes? Is it the tube out skin temperature, inner skin temperature, or average temperature? | Solution: ‘Tube Metal Temp’ column in the Analysis along Tubes table is the tube wall mid-point temperature. If you hover your mouse over that column, you will see a short description.
For the tube skin temperature, you may use TS (for inside) or SS (for the outside) Fouling surface temp values. If there is zero fouling, then the Fouling surface temp is just the tube surface temp.
Key Words
Tube Metal Temp
Analysis along Tubes
Interval Analysis
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: The Watchdog Tag Monitoring feature allows you to choose a tag in the DCS that can be read and written under the control of the instance. The monitoring of this tag will allow a site to determine whether the connection to the OPC server has become stale or unresponsive. How to configure the Change\View watchdog monitoring configuration on CIM-IO Interface Manager? | Solution: Here is the procedure:
1) Stop the OPC interface and click the Change\View watchdog monitoring configuration
2) Enter item name and Max time without change under the New values. The item name is the same as the watchdog tag's IO_TAGNAME in the DCS.
3) Click Validate item, if the item is valid, it will show item is valid.
4) Accept Changes and Save configuration
5) Start the OPC interface, and the Change\View watchdog monitoring configuration will show a green icon.
6) Click the Change\View watchdog monitoring configuration, this watchdog tag is keeping monitoring the tag status now.
After the watchdog monitoring configuration is enabled, the icon in the Actions pane will indicate the monitored tag's status.
Green = OK
Yellow = Suspect
Red = Frozen
Keywords: Watchdog Tag Monitoring
CIM-IO Interface Manager
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can the indexing file be exported to be used as the basis for other projects in ACCE if it has already been modified? | Solution: Indexed Files that have already been modified to match the actual costs for an ongoing or completed project can be saved in the ACCE libraries to be used in other projects. To add a modified index file to the library:
In a project without indexing you must select a file to modify, this process is described in steps 1 to 4. If you already have a modified indexing file skip to steps 5 to 10.
In Project Basis View, right-click Indexing.
Click Select. The Select an Indexing File dialog box appears.
Select an indexing file. The Select an Indexing File dialog box disappears.
(Optional) Perform all the necessary modifications to the indexing file. To see more information about how to do this see the article 97013.
In Project Basis View, right-click Indexing again.
Click Export to Library.
A warning message will display indicating that the current COA specifications must also be exported. The Indexing specifications are directly linked to the COA specifications, so in order not to lose the indexing specifications the program exports both files. If this were not done, all of the specified data would be lost.
Click OK. The Duplicate Code of Accounts file based on COA dialog box appears.
Type a file name (required) and description (optional) for the new file. Click OK.
The exported indexing and COA files will be found in the Libraries tab of the Palette.
Keywords: Modified, Indexing, Export, Import, Add
References: None |
Problem Statement: The Isomerization Unit Operation is a detailed kinetic model. It models isomerization hydrocracking, ring opening, saturation, and heavy reactions.
It is possible to have isometization units in serie. And the calibration can be done in series. | Solution: To calibrate isomerization units in series follow the listed steps:
In the Isom Unit | Simulation tab | Basic Tuning, enter the values for the Activity coefficients and the Kinetic factors.
If you are working in a reactor where the feed is the output of a previous isom unit. You can enter to both the same activity coefficients and kinetic factors, after calibration is run they will recalculate base on the composition feed to the reactor. Kinetic factors are composition dependent.
In the Isom Unit | Calibration tab | Component and Composition (%) enter the composition that is feeding each reaction, not the composition entering the process, it must have to be the composition entering each reactor.
In the Isom Unit | Calibration tab | Objective Function, select the check boxes for target values wanted to include in the objective function, add both Sigma and Plant values for each target.
In the Parameters tab check for both activities’ coefficients and kinetics’ factors present in the isomerization process.
After all data in entered in the Run Calibration section click the Initialize Calibration button. At this part information will be in blank
After the Initialization of the unit had ran, factor values will show. Click the Transfer Factor to Simulation and all information will update automatically.
Once the factors are transfer, the calibration can be run for each reactor.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Are there video instructions/explanations on major economic evaluation concepts? | Solution: Getting Started with Economic Evaluation: Overview of the User Interface and a guide for creating a new project: 59829. It gives an overview of the Aspen Capital Cost Estimator User Interface and provides guidelines for creating a new project in Aspen Capital Cost Estimator.
Aspen Capital Cost Estimator Webinar Replay: Creating and Using Contractors and Consets: 61711. Topics discussed include: how to create an execution plan for a project using multiple contractors, Setting up the contractor structure, Assign workforces to contractors, Specify contractor indirects, Allocate contractors to project areas.
Getting Started with Economic Evaluation: Entering Project Components: 50504. It coveres 4 different methods for entering standard Component data into the system. They are: Components Tab from Palette View, Area Component Selection from Project View, Spreadsheet View, Spreadsheet Import.
Working with Volumetric Models in Aspen Capital Cost Estimator: 49809. Topics covered are: Factor-Based Estimating, Model-Based Estimating, Benefits of Model-Based Estimating.
Setting Up a Construction Workforce: 65262. This covers how to create and use Construction Workforces, setting Wage Rates and Productivities, productivity adjustments for work week and number of shifts.
Creating and Using Templates in Economic Evaluation and AspenTech Simulators: 59828. This webinar discusses how to create Templates for Economic Evaluation products. It will alsocover how to create a combined Template for use by both Aspen Process Economic Analyzer and Aspen Capital Cost Estimator
Defining and Using Civil and Structural in Aspen Capital Cost Estimator: 61971. The following topics will be covered by this webinar: Project and Area Specification for Civil and Structural Steel, Foundations Design and Foundation Types, and Steel Structures and Pipe racks
Keyword
Aspen Capital Cost Estimator, Economic Evaluation Training, ACCE Webinars
Keywords: None
References: None |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.