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Problem Statement: AspenOneのインストレーションでは、ライセンスがSLM サーバーからチェックアウト出来るようにする為、ポートの5093（TCPとUDP）が開いている必要があります。ここではTCP/UDPポートが開いているかどうかを確認する為の方法について説明します。 | Solution: You may use the common 'telnet' command to determine if a specific TCP port is open, but it's not suitable to test UDP ports. Telnetのコマンドを使用して特定のTCPポートがオープンかどうかを確認することは可能ですがUDPポートには向いていません。 UDPポートが開いているかどうかを確認する為にはフリーのユティリティのiPerf.exeを使って以下の方法で確認してください。
//iperf.fr/download/iperf_2.0.5/iperf-2.0.5-2-win32.zip
例）portポートの 5093 UDPが SLM サーバー 10.0.0.1に対して開いているかを確認
C:\>iperf -u -p 5093 -c 10.0.0.1
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Can two USB Dongles from AspenTech on the same computer? | Solution: For Standalone Licenses,multiple USB Dongles can be used on the same machine.
For Network Licenses, only one USB Dongle is supported per SLM Server.
Keywords: : Multiple USB Dongles, Sentinel Server
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can license usage be monitored from a client machine? | Solution: For monitoring license usage from user machine, please follow the below steps:
1. Go to Start / All Programs / AspenTech / Common Utilities / SLM License Profiler as shown
2. This dialog box will appear. Select the License server from the drop down as shown. Click on "Load Information" and then on "View Licenses". Note that license server "Trainingserver1" is just an example. Your server name will be different
3. For any selected product you can the usage list. Select on the product as shown and then click on "View license Usage"
4. A dialog box showing a list of users will appear as shown:
Keywords: SLM License Profiler, License Usage
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I decommission a license server? | Solution: This article will explain how to decommission a SLM License Server.
Remove the license file:
1. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\SafeNet Sentinel\Sentinel RMS License Manager\WinNT
2. Launch Loadls.exe
3. Click Remove, this will uninstall the license file.
Uninstall the license server software:
1. Go to Add\Remove Programs
2. Uninstall Sentinel RMS License Manager 8.x.x
3. Uninstall SLM Server and SLM Tool
Keywords: decommissioning server
server
References: None |
Problem Statement: I have a dongle locked license file. When the dongle is plugged in or attached to my machine the locking information shows the corresponding lock code. However, when I try to install license file using aspenONE License File Installer, I get the error message, 'the selected license file has a lock code that does not match this machine'. | Solution: If the correct dongle is plugged in and lock code matches with the license file, the error message usually occurs because dongle driver is not installed. Sentinel System Driver needs to be installed, so it can support communications with the device.
How to check if the dongle driver is installed:
Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\SafeNet Sentinel there should a Sentinel System Driver folder in the mentioned path. If this folder does not exist, please install the dongle driver using the Aspen DVD/download link. Sentinel System Drivers can be installed by selecting the Dongle Driver option under SLM Tools (see below as an example).
After installing the dongle driver, install the license file again and then check if the lock code matches or not.
Additional checks:
1. Make sure dongle is plugged in & detected properly (check the locking information and device manager)
2. Make sure correct dongle is plugged in to the machine- lock code should matches with license file.
3. Make sure dongle driver version is up to date.
Keywords: Dongle driver, dongle locked license
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I install a license file on a Redundant License Server configuration? | Solution: Leader Server Configuration:
1. Download the license file on the Leader license server and double click to install.
Click Yes when prompted to install.
2. Click OK while confirming installation a redundancy license file.
3. Provide the hostname & IP address of Follower server and Click Add server.
4. Click OK while confirming to save the configuration file for Follower server.
5. Browse to some location and save the configuration file with name lservlf.
Note: This configuration file will be used on Follower server.
6. Click Close once all the check marks are green.
Follower Server Configuration:
1. Launch aspenONE License File Installer using aspenONE SLM License Manager
2. Click on File + sign and browse to lservrlf file which was created on Leader Server.
3. Check Install license file and click Next.
4. Click Close once all the check marks are green.
Keywords: Redundancy license
install
Configuration file
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I create Software License Manager (SLM) debugging (also known as trace logs) logs on the SLM Server? | Solution: This knowledge base article will explain how to create SLM Server debugging logs. These logs can be used to troubleshoot issues with the SLM Server (for example, the Sentinel RMS License Manager service crashing.).
To create the debugging logs, please follow these steps:
1) Log into the server with an account that has Administrator privileges.
2) Create a folder on the local hard drive that the debugging logs will be saved to. (ie: C:\AspenTech\SLMServerLogs)
3) Open the Registry Editor by clicking Start | Run and type regedit.
4) Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Rainbow Technologies\SentinelLM\CurrentVersion.
5) Right-Click on the CurrentVersion folder, and select New | String Value from the context menu.
6) Rename the new string to CommandLineOpts.
7) Right-Click CommandLineOpts, and select Modify from the context menu.
8) In the Edit String window, click on the Value Data textbox and type in ?-l C:\AspenTech\SLMServerLogs\LSERV.LOG -z 2m -lfe 2 -f C:\AspenTech\SLMServerLogs\slmserver.log -tr 7? (without the ? ? ). Click OK.
9) Close the Registry Editor.
10) Open Services by clicking Start | Administrative Tools | Services.
11) Highlight the Sentinel RMS License Manager service. Right-Click the service and select Restart from the context menu.
12) The debugging logs can be accessed using Windows Explorer, and they can be viewed using Notepad.
Debugging log example:
Note: The debugging logs should be disabled when they are no longer needed. They do take up hard drive space, and as a result, can slow server performance.
For SLM Server usage logs, please see KB 125058
Keywords: SLM, Debugging Logs, Trace Log, Windows Server, Registry
References: None |
Problem Statement: I have multiple Network adapters on my license server. How can I get this type of configuration to work if my license file is locked to a Network Adapter? | Solution: If your license file has been locked to a Network Adapter it is important to ensure that the server recognize that Network adapter that the license file is locked to as the Primary network adapter. Use the following procedure to determine and set the primary NIC on a Windows 2003 Server:
1. Right-click the My Network Places icon and choose Properties.
2. Choose Network Connections.
3. From the menu of the Network and Dial-up Connections window, choose Advanced > Advanced Settings. Bindings
4. On the Adapter and Binding tabs, in the Connections area, ensure that the Network adapter that you r license file is locked to is first in the list. This sets it as the Primary network adapter.
Keywords: License file;
Locking mechanism;
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I use the SLM feature Project Tracking? | Solution: There is a project tracking option within the SLM Configuration Wizard that companies can use to assign a computer to be attached to a project by site and department.
Project Tracking, when enabled, tracks your license use by project. The Project Tracking page allows you to enable or disable job tracking. If Project Tracking is enabled, you can specify the project tracking information the license server will log. The log file is the same as the token usage log file which is defined by the environment variable LServOpts on the SLM server.Â
To enable Project Tracking:
1. Select the Turn project tracking on check box.
2. Type the Project Name. The project name can be any meaningful name used to identify the project.
3. Type the Department Name associated with the project.
4. Type the Location Name where the project takes place.
5. Click Next to continue with the SLM Configuration Wizard.
This information is stored in the computer's registry in the Configuration branch of HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Aspentech\SLM for 64 bit computers and HKLM\Software\Aspentech\SLM for 32 bit computers. Only one project can be assigned to each computer at a given time.
Below is an example of what the entry in the token usage log would look like:
Using this information for Project Tracking:
The following information was written into the token usage log file:
2 2 MjY3Mg== Tue Mar 31 13:53:23 2015 1427828003 SLM_HYSYS_Process v 0 18 0 drexlern DREXLERN2 8.5.3.0035 1 01:Nancy:CsandT:Hou:10.32.160.79:6:344:AspenHysys_32.0.1.8629:6.1.7601_0:1033:11856:0 - - - - - 0 - - - MTI5NTk= 96811 NzE1NDM3
Note: Aspen doesn't use this information in any of the reports that are generated from the analysis of the token usage logs.
Keywords: Project Tracking
LservOpts
token usage log file
References: None |
Problem Statement: The LSHOST Environment Variable is used to direct the search for a network license to a list of
preferred servers. | Solution: 1. On your main desktop, right click on the My Computer icon, and select Properties.
2. Select the ADVANCED tab.
3. Click on the Environment Variables button.
4. Under the section called "System variables for...." check to see if you have an LSHost variable.
If not, here's how to add one:
1. Click on the NEW button under the section called "System variables for...."
2. Call the variable name : LSHost.
3. The variable value should be set to the IP address or the name of the SLM server.
Note: The LSHost environment variable overrides any LSHost files on the computer. Normally, it is recommended to use LSHost files to avoid interference with any other vendor security that may also be using LSHost.
Caution: If you have other vendor securities already using the LSHost environment variable, then consider using an LSHost file for each AspenTech product or a master LSHost environment variable, which lists the license servers for both your Aspen and other vendor products.
KeyWords
LSHost
environment variable
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I verify the redundant license server is running? | Solution: 1. Launch WLMAdmin using aspenONE SLM License Manager on Leader and Follower server.
2. Expand the license server hostname, it should display big list of license keys.
3. Redundant: Yes means this license server is configured using redundancy license file.
4. Redundancy Info tab will display Leader and Follower server names.
Keywords: Redundancy license
Leader license
Follower license
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to configure Socket Buffer on a SLM License Server? | Solution: SLM Server is configured to use default socket buffer of 65535 bytes, customers with higher license usage are recommended to increase SLM Server socket buffer. This article will explain how to increase socket buffer for SLM Server.
SLM Client and Server communicates through Windows Sockets. The default socket buffer size on a busy SLM Server handling thousands of simultaneous license requests may result in too many requests than the server can handle concurrently. Increasing the socket buffer size provides an opportunity for the OS to buffer up the data/requests while the service is busy processing the requests, so that data/requests could be piped in an orderly fashion to the RMS service. This gives a chance for the server to respond efficiently, rather than letting the requests go unanswered and timed out. The buffer size is incremented in multiples of default socket buffer known as a socket buffer multiplier.
Steps to configure socket buffer multiplier:
1. From the desktop, right click the My Computer icon.
2. Choose Properties
3. Click the Advanced system settings link.
4. Click Environment Variables.
5. In System Variables section, select LServOpts variable and click Edit
6. In Variable value, append text -sbm 4 at the end and click OK
7. Go to services.msc
8. Right click Sentinel RMS License Manager and select Restart
Validate Socket Buffer multiplier configuration:
1. Launch Event Viewer
2. Expand Windows Logs and select Application
3. Application event for Sentinel RMS License Manager will show 262144 bytes set for socket buffer.
Keywords: Socket
Buffer size
high load
References: None |
Problem Statement: Why do license usage logs show "Grace" entries? | Solution: The AspenTech License server will add the string :Grace in the usage log when a transaction has been logged for a product that supports grace functionality during check out or release of a license key used by products like Process Explorer, InfoPlus.21. etc.
01:0:0:0:10.10.10.10:5:357:IP21.Process.Browser_12.8.0.57:6.3.9600_0:1033:1360:1033:Grace - - - - - 0 - - - MTgz 746978 MTg4MzI0Mg==
01:0:0:0:10.10.10.10:5:357:IP21.Process.Browser_12.8.0.57:6.3.9600_0:1033:9644:1033:Grace - - - - - 0 - - - MTkw 770467 OTc0MTc2
Note: The string :Grace entries in the usage log file does not mean the software has disconnected from the license server and is going into grace licensing mode.
Refer KB: 000011180 to understand different license state in Process Explorer.
Keyword
grace
usage log
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: The previous network token license file contained a license feature called AEA_Token that contained all the tokens that had been purchased. Now the new network token license file no longer contains the AEA_Token feature. | Solution: In newer versions of the SLM license files, the AEA_Token license feature was replaced with the SLM_Pool license feature which now contains the total number of tokens that were purchased by the customer.
This change does not alter the total number of tokens that the customer has purchased.
The only necessary changes are for the end user to update their SLM Client Tools so that their applications and computers can recognize the new SLM_Pool license feature.
In order to update the SLM Client Tools, please refer to solution How to install Sentinel License Manager (SLM) License Server?.
Keywords: token
AEA_Token
AEA
SLM_Pool
network license feature
References: None |
Problem Statement: Why is my dongle not detecting in the SLM Configuration Wizard and showing an exclamation mark in the device manager? | Solution: This can be caused when the dongle driver is not installed, corrupt, or out of date. You will need to install the dongle driver to resolve this issue.
AspenTech's standard practice is to install the dongle driver from the SLM Tools located on the aspenONE DVD media. An alternate solution is to install the dongle drivers using the attached ZIP file.
NOTE: Previous versions of the Dongle Driver do not work with the Device Guard feature that comes with Windows 10. If Device Guard is enabled, use this version (7.6.0).
Step 1: Download the attached file named "Sentinel_System_Driver_Installer_7.6.0.zip".
Step 2: Once the file is downloaded, extract the zip file.
Step 3: Right click on “Sentinel_System_Driver_Installer_7.6.0.zip” and then click on Run as administrator.
Step 4: The Sentinel installer has now started, to continue click Next.
Step 5: Select Complete then click Next.
After the drivers are installed, unplug and plug in the dongle again. The dongle should now be detected by the system.
Verifying the Dongle is detected
Follow these steps to verify if the Dongle is detected by the SLM Configuration Wizard:
Step 1: Launch the SLM Configuration Wizard.
Step 2: Click the Config Button.
Step 3: Locking Information should display Sentinel Hardlock
Keywords: How do i install my dongle drivers?
dongle drivers
Dongle license drivers
dongle not being detected by slm
References: None |
Problem Statement: This Knowledge Base article provides steps to decommission a License Server that is no longer used. | Solution: The best way to decommission a License Server that is no longer used is to completely uninstall the Aspen SLM Server from the computer. Please follow these steps to do so:
1. Log in to the computer hosting the old License Server.
2. Uninstall SLM Server, SLM tools and Sentinel RMS License Manager through Add & Remove Programs Wizard.
3. Reboot the server.
4. Verify that Sentinel RMS License Manager Windows service is not available anymore in the Windows Services Control Panel.
If you do not have permission to run the Add/Remove Wizard, then you will need to remove from the server the license file named as “LSERVRC”. Here are the steps to locate and delete it from the server:
1. Log in to old SLM Server, which needs to be de-commissioned.
2. Stop and disable the Sentinel RMS License Manager service in the Windows Services Control Panel.
3. Locate the folder “C:\Program Files(x86)\Common files\Safenet Sentinl\Sentinel RMS License manager\WinNT” .
4. Locate the file named “LSERVRC”. Delete this file from the computer.
5. Do a Computer Search and look for a file “LSERVRC*.*” and if anything is found, delete it.
6. At the end, empty Recycle bin as well.
7. DONE.
Keywords:
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to verify that your reservation file is initialized. | Solution: If you need assistance on how to create a reservation file, visit this article: How to create a reservation file
To verify if a reservation file has been initialized successfully you can check by using the WLM Admin.
Open SLM License Manager and then open the WLM Admin tool
Select the License Server the reservation file is installed on
Expand the server's tree
Select "SLM_Pool"
When selected, it will populate the fields on the right side
Check the Reserved Total to determine if the reservation file has been initialized (it will be populated with the desired amount allocated in the reservation file)
Keywords: WLM Admin, Reservation File, Install, SLM_Pool
References: None |
Problem Statement: I have configured to use both standalone and network license. How can I check if I am using the standalone or network license? | Solution: Open an application e.g. Aspen HYSYS and then go to "File or Help --> About --> Licensing information"
On the licensing information, if you see 'no net' on the license location, it means you are using standalone or commuted licenses.
If you see your license server name e.g. 'atuklic1' on the license location then you are obtaining licenses from your network license server.
Keywords: Standalone license, Network license file
References: None |
Problem Statement: When open Aspen Software, get error message All licenses are currently in use, click Details, you will get error code 26, Your license is disabled due to an inconsistency in the computer's clock or a corruption in the system folders. | Solution: The reason why this error occurs is due to the license registration is missing, corrupted or a computer's date/time changed. There are two possible solution to fix an error 26.
Register the License
Run the aspenONE SLM License Manager and click the Configure button.
When the Configuration Wizard opens, add the license server and click the Apply Changes button to register the license.
Obtaining and applying a license fix file
If the license registration is corrupt or the computer's date/time changed, a license fix file needs to be created. For this, the following information is required for the creation of the fix file:
System name of the license file (See this solution to obtain the System name)
Locking information from the Client machine that presented the error (See this solution to obtain the locking information).
Send the required information to the support team, they will generate the license clean file.
Once you received the clean file, extract it and run the SLM clean tool as Administrator (Right click and select Run as administrator), Once the software is open, click on the button with the text “…” (1) and select the license clean file that was also included on the ZIP file and then click Start Clean (2) the process should complete with a message stating “Clean Completed without errors”. click Close button to finish the process.
Open the Aspen software again, this time you shouldn’t receive the error 26 code.
Keywords: SLM, Error Code 26
All license currently in use
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I restrict a Machine or an IP Address or a Subnet Mask from using a license? | Solution: In order to restrict a Machine or an IP Address or a Subnet Mask from using the license file, a reservation file will need to be created and added to the license server.
To create a reservation file, follow the instructions from KB 000022087.
After creating the reservation file, you may add the Machine Name, IP Address or Subnet Mask to the user group with a dollar sign “$” in front of the field. (example: $10.32.53.21 or $12.34.5.*)
To restrict a Machine or IP Address or Subnet Mask, you need to add an exclamation mark “!” in front of the field. (example: !$10.32.53.21 or !$12.34.5.*)
NOTE: Specifying a user/computer/IP address in a group using the logical NOT (!) excludes that user/computer/IP address from any use of the license feature.
This means that the user/computer/IP address is prevented from using that license feature, even if there are tokens available in the general pool.
The reservation file will look something like this:
SLM_HYSYS_Process:HYSYS_Users:32766:John Bob Mary $Public_PC !$10.32.53.21 !$12.34.5.*
The reservation file above is for reserving 32766 license of HYSYS application by using the HYSYS license key and is only allowing group name HYSYS_Users, user name like John, Bob, Mary, and the computer named Public_PC to access it. It is denying the IP address 10.32.53.21 and denying the Subnet Mask 12.34.5.*. In this setting, even if there is sufficient token in SLM_Pool, the other users will not be able to use HYSYS.
Should you prefer to reserve token, simply use SLM_Pool instead. The reservation file will look something like this:
SLM_Pool:Group1:36:John Bob Mary $Public_PC !$10.32.53.21 !$12.34.5.*
For example if you have 100 token and the above reserved 36 token. If 64 tokens had been utilized by other users, the remaining 36 token can only be utilized by the user/machine/IP address listed in the reservation file.
Note: You need to have a carriage return at the last line in the reservation file, else the last line will not be taken into consideration.
Keywords: SLM
License Denial
Reservation
References: None |
Problem Statement: Which License Server folders are recommended to be excluded by third party virus scan applications? | Solution: In order to prevent third party virus scan applications from interfering with license checkouts, it is recommended that the following folders are excluded from the scanning routine:
C:\Program Files (x86)\AspenTech\
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\AspenTech Shared\
C:\Program Files (x86)\SafeNet Sentinel\
C:\ProgramData\AspenTech\
C:\ProgramData\SafeNet Sentinel\
Keywords: McAfee VirusScan
exclusions
References: None |
Problem Statement: How should I correct an SLM Error 15 “User Excluded" when launching an Aspen product? | Solution: This error will occur when a user launches an Aspen product and their username, computer name, or IP Address has been included in a group reservation that has been created to block certain users/computers from running some of the Aspen applications.
This file is located on the license server computer in the C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Safenet Sentinel\Sentinel RMS License Manager\WinNT folder and is named Lsreserv.
To learn more about reservation files and how to create them please view KB 114102. If necessary, remove the user/computer from the excluded group and then restart the Sentinel RMS License Manager service for the changes to take effect.
Keywords: error 15
User Excluded
reservation file
References: None |
Problem Statement: Microsoft frequently releases individual hotfixes for the Windows operating systems to fix defects and to patch security loopholes. End users often inquire whether or not these individual Microsoft hotfixes are compatible with the Software License Manager (SLM) products. This knowledge base article describes AspenTech's policy towards application of Microsoft hotfixes on server and client computers which use the Software License Manager (SLM) products. | Solution: AspenTech tests new versions of the Software License Manager (SLM) with the latest Microsoft service packs and Microsoft hotfixes which are publicly available from Microsoft when the testing cycle begins for a new release. After product testing is completed and the new SLM version is officially released, no additional testing is retroactively performed with subsequently released Microsoft hotfixes.
The AspenTech development team will address incompatibility issues which are caused by Microsoft hotfixes and the Software License Manager (SLM) products. If any incompatibilities are verified between a Microsoft hotfix and an SLM product, AspenTech will publish a knowledge base article to alert the user community.
Note: If any problems are encountered with a particular Microsoft hotfix, the hotfix can always be uninstalled by following this procedure:
1. Stop the AspenTech applications which are running.
2. In Control Panel | Add or Remove Programs, select the newly applied Microsoft hotfix then click on the Remove button.
3. Restart the AspenTech applications.
KeyWords
patch
fix
MS
update
hot-fix
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to determine how many tokens an AspenTech product will consume when launched? | Solution: You can view the number of tokens needed for each Aspen Product by using the SLM License Profiler located on the Start | All Programs | Aspentech | Common Utilities | SLM License Profiler (V8.7 and below) or Start | All Programs | Aspentech | Aspen SLM | aspenONE SLM License Manager | License Profiler (V8.8 and above).
Select License Server
Click on Load Information
Click on View Licenses
Highlight SLM_Pool key and click on View License Usage
SLM_Pool key will display all the users who have acquired tokens.
Highlight specific product key and click on View License Usage to view individual product usage.
Scroll right to Token Value column to view token value for specific products. A single instance of that specific product will acquire those amount of tokens when launched.
Example: Aspen HYSYS has a token value of 14 i.e., when launching a single Instance of Aspen HYSYS will consume 14 tokens.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: What can be done if a license file has been accidently encrypted in the following ways:
1 - encrypted by SEE (Symantec Endpoint Enterprise)
or
2 - encrypted by the operating system - for example Windows 10 | Solution: See attached document for more information.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Is there a way to implement the token conversion utility on many client machines without having to run the utility on every client? | Solution: This article will help user to create a registry key and roll out to users machine to convert Standard (non-token) installation to Token installation.
Please follow below steps to create a registry key:
1. Run Token Conversion Utility to convert the installation from Standard to Token on a machine.
2. Go to below registry location on the user machine and export the AMSUtil registry key.
32-bit machine: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\AspenTech\Setup
64-bit machine: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\AspenTech\Setup
3. Roll out the registry key to all the users to convert from Standard (non-token) installation to Token Installation.
Note: The above screenshot if an example of a Standard (Non token) media installation. Please do not copy and paste this registry key.
Keywords: Token Conversion Utility
DVD2
DVD2T
AMSUtil
regedit
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I determine how many tokens are available on my license server? | Solution: If you have a network license you can check the total number of tokens you have using the SLM License Profiler. This knowledge base article will explain the steps involved.
Step 1: Load the SLM License Profiler. This is included by default on every machine that has aspenONE installed.
Click on Start --> All Programs --> AspenTech --> Common Utilities -->SLM License Profiler
Step 2: Select or type your license server name in the “License Server:” field. Then click the Load Information button, once the license has been loaded click the View Licenses button.
Step 3: Now look for the key “SLM_Pool”. In the 4th column you should see “# of Licenses” this will show the number of tokens you have available.
Keywords: How do I know how many tokens I have?
How can I determine the number of tokens I have?
Number of tokens
Available tokens
Tokens
References: None |
Problem Statement: What information should be provided to AspenTech to get Commute or Time fix (error 75 or 26)? | Solution: License System Name from the license server.
V8.8 and above:
Launch aspenONE SLM License Manager
Click on License Profiler tool
Select License Server
Click on Load information
Collect the SYSTEM Name and sent it to us
V8.7 and below:
Start || All Programs || AspenTech || Common Utilities || SLM License Profiler
Select License Server
Click on Load information
Collect the SYSTEM Name and sent it to us
Locking Information from the client machine:
V8.8 and above:
Launch aspenONE SLM License Manager
Click Locking Info tool
Click Copy to Clipboard and paste on an email and send it to us.
V8.7 and below:
Start || All Programs || AspenTech || Common Utilities || SLM Configuration Wizard
Click on Config button
Click Copy to Clipboard and paste on an email and send it to us.
Key Words
Locking information
SYSTEM Name
Error 75
Error 26
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: In the AUT, can the email notification CC other emails? | Solution: No, the AUT does not CC other emails. You will need to use an email distribution group and set AUT to send the notifications to the distribution group.
Keywords: AUT, Email, Usage Logs
References: None |
Problem Statement: Which switches are available for configuring LServOpts environment variable. | Solution: LServOpts environment variable will get created on license server by default to generate usage logs.
The table below lists the various options that can be set using:
LSERVOPTS - The environment variable that can be used to configure the License Manager.
Command-line - The options can be set on both Windows and UNIX
The last column in the table points the specific environment variables which can be used instead to set a particular option. Any settings made with LSERVOPTS will be overridden by any settings made using a specific environment variable. To avoid contradictory settings, it’s recommended that the specific environment variables be used whenever possible.
Options-Description Specific Environment Variable
-s <license-file>
By default, the license file is named lservrc and it is placed in the same directory in which the License Manager resides.
Here are few recommended settings for the license file:
The License Manager must have read/write access to the license file when the license installation program is being executed. If you are having a problem installing license codes, then you should verify that the License Manager has read/write access to the license file.
If the License Manager cannot find the license file and error tracing is enabled, it will log the errors in the trace file.
LSERVRC
-e <license-configuration-file>
Specifies the name and location of the optional license configuration file. The license configuration file can contain the following:
Remap statements for readable license strings If you have used remap statements for generating readable license codes, you need to ship them to your customers with the License Manager and the lsdecode utility (only if you send lsdecode to your customers).
Alert specifications for a license code The system administrator can optionally invoke alerts using a script or an e-mail under certain scenarios.
By default, the License Manager will look for the configuration file in the License Manager local directory. Alternatively, the location of the configuration file can also be provided by the environment variable, LSERVRCCNF or via the -e option.
The License Manager appends the .cnf extension to the license configuration file path and filename and searches for license-file-name.cnf. LSERVRCCNF
-l < usage-log-file>
Enables usage logging with the name and location of the License Manager’s usage log file. The usage log can give you a very good idea of how much each application is being used.
By default, usage logging is disabled. Else, it can also be enabled by using the -l option. Usage logging automatically gets enabled on license addition for RMS version 7 and later licenses.
-f <trace-log-file>
Specifies the name and location of the trace file. By default, trace logging is disabled.
-tr <level>
Sets the tracing level:
Trace errors (4) - To trace the errors encountered during communication with the License Manager.
Trace functions (2) - To trace the major licensing functions called during application lifetime.
Trace license keys (1) - To trace the invalid license codes.
All (7) - Trace all the three levels
For example, to allow tracing only license keys, use the -tr startup option as follows:
-tr 1
-z <file-size>
The maximum size of the usage and trace file log (if enabled). The size can be specified in bytes, kilobytes, or megabytes. For instance, -z 2000 means 2000 bytes, -z 2k means 2 kilobytes, -z 2m means 2 megabytes.
-x
Disables automatic backup of the usage and trace log files in case of overflow. The License Manager will stop writing further records to the file.
By default, when the log file reaches its maximum size the contents of the log file are moved into a new file that has the same name as the original log file but has two numeric digits appended to its name. For example, if the original log file is named lserv.log, the first backup file will be named lserv.log.00. The next time a backup file is created, the new file will use the next available backup number (for example, lserv.log.01). The maximum number of backup files is 99, beyond which the existing files will be overwritten sequentially.
If clients are connected to the License Manager when the backup file is created, dummy records are created for any pending transactions in the backup file; corresponding dummy records are created in the new file. When the License Manager is not started with the extended log option (described above), LM_SERVER appears in the user name. However, if that option is used, the actual user name appears in the user name field of each dummy record. As a result, the dummy entries are differentiated from rest of the entries by specific transaction IDs (13 and 15).
If the -x option is specified, the file will not be backed up on overflow.
-port <port-number>
The License Manager port number 5093 is used by the TCP/IP protocol when transferring data between the License Manager and the client. If that port is in use, any other port can be set using the -port startup option. LSPORT
-com <percentage>
Commuter licensing uses the same license tokens as other network licenses. To ensure that not all license tokens are used up by commuters, set the -com option to the percentage of license tokens you want to be used for commuter licensing. Once that percentage of tokens are used by commuter licenses, no more will be made available to commuters until tokens are returned.
-lfe <encryption-level>
Specifies the level of encryption with which license transactions will be written to the license server log file, 1 to 4.
-u <group-reservations-file>
Specifies the name and location of the optional group reservations file.
The group reservation feature helps you restrict the use of the licensed application to particular users, groups, or computers. A group reservation file lsreserv is generated using the WlsGrMgr utility. It contains information about how many license tokens are reserved for members of different groups. By default, the License Manager uses the lsreserv file in the current directory. LSRESERV
-q
Quiet mode. When this option is specified, the License Manager will start up quietly without displaying its banner. Unexpected conditions will still be logged as usual. (UNIX only.)
Example: For example, to tell the License Manager running on a Windows computer to set a 2 megabyte limit on the log file, to stop logging when the file size limit is reached, and to start the License Manager in quiet mode, use the following command:
Variable Name: LServOpts
Value: -l "C:\Temp\lserv.log" -z 2m -lfe 2
Cross-reference Articles:
How to enable Usage Log on the SLM Server to Generate Aspen Products Usage logs for Product Usage Analysis?
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Why do I get the error “License Limit Reached for AspenTech Products” when opening an Aspen product? | Solution: If you open an Aspen product and the error “License Limit Reached for AspenTech Products” is displayed, it most likely indicates that all your licenses or tokens have been checked out and you will need to wait for someone to return a license or tokens.
To confirm this, you may use the SLM License Profiler to view the current license usage to see if there are any licenses or tokens available. To do this, follow these steps:
For V8.7 and below, go to Start | All Programs | Aspentech | Common Utilities and run the SLM License Profiler.
For V8.8 and above, go to Start | All Programs | Aspentech | Aspen SLM and run the aspenONE SLM License Manager, then click License Profiler.
Select your License Server from the license server drop down and click Load Information and then click View Licenses.
Once your licenses are displayed, look at the SLM_Pool to see there are any licenses or tokens available in the Commuter Licenses Remaining column.
If there are licenses or tokens available and the application still will not open, contact Aspen Support at 1-888-996-7100 and select options 5, then 1 for further troubleshooting.
Keywords: SLM, aspenONE, License
References: None |
Problem Statement: What do we need to do to migrate to a new license server? | Solution: Before decommissioning your existing license server, setup your new license server with the required drivers and software.
Dongle-Locked License (locked to a usb security dongle):
Install the latest version of the aspenONE SLM Software on the new license server.
Obtain it from the Download Center: https://esupport.aspentech.com/apex/S_DownloadCenter
or the Product Patches: https://esupport.aspentech.com/apex/S_Homepage#productPatches
Select SLM, from the Product menu, and the latest version
Be sure to select and install the Dongle Driver during the installation.
Move the security dongle from the old server to the new server.
Copy the license file from the old server to the new server.
Install the license file: https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000072608
Reconfigure the Client machines to obtain a license from the new license server:
How to configure a client machine to use a network license (V9 and up): https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000094490
How to configure a client machine to use a network license (V8.8 and below): https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000079622
How to automate the SLM Configuration settings on multiple clients: https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000082438
Decommission the old license server.
Dongle-Free License (locked to the license server):
Install the latest version of the aspenONE SLM Software on the new license server.
Obtain it from the Download Center: https://esupport.aspentech.com/apex/S_DownloadCenter
or the Product Patches: https://esupport.aspentech.com/apex/S_Homepage#productPatches
Select SLM, from the Product menu, and the latest version
Submit a License Re-host Request
How to submit a license request: https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000022319
Attach the new license server locking info to the request
Install the new license file: https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000072608
Reconfigure the Client machines to obtain a license from the new license server:
How to configure a client machine to use a network license (V9 and up): https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000094490
How to configure a client machine to use a network license (V8.8 and below): https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000079622
How to automate the SLM Configuration settings on multiple clients: https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000082438
Decommission the old license server.
Keywords: license
server
decommission
new
migrate
network
re-host
References: None |
Problem Statement: When to select Install and Upgrade Options in aspenONE V12 Installer? | Solution: When aspenONE V12 software is installed on a computer, the Installer will check for the presence of any AspenTech software already installed on this computer. If any of the products/components on the computer are determined to be upgradable, the Installer will provide the Upgrade option as shown below.
Users are required to select the Upgrade option and complete the Upgrade workflow before installing any additional product(s) from V12 media. Failure to follow this process may cause incompatible product/component versions to get installed on the machine.
Installer Welcome screen with Upgrade option enabled
Keywords: Engineering
Manufacturing Supply Chain
Asset Performance Management
AES
MSC
APM
References: None |
Problem Statement: License files on Virtual Machines are typically locked to hostname and/or IP-address. There may be situations where the IP address is not assigned by the time the Sentinel RMS Licensing Manager service starts up on a server. In these situations, the Licensing Manager service cannot validate the license file against the IP address as IP is not available yet and not load the license file, causing the license checkout from applications to fail. Similar behavior has also been observed when a dongle is made available to a Virtual Machine through technologies such as USB over IP. | Solution: We recommend to enable automatic delayed start of the Sentinel RMS Licensing Manager service. Here are the steps:
Steps for setting the Sentinel RMS Licensing Manger Startup option to “Automatic (Delayed Start)”:
Open a Services Microsoft Management Console (MMC): [Start | Control Panel | Administration Tools | Services]
Right-click on the “Sentinel RMS License Manager” service and select Properties from the context menu.
In the properties window, set ‘Startup Properties’ to “Automatic (Delayed Start)”
Click the ‘OK’ button to accept the changes.
Keywords: SLM Server
Sentinel RMS License Manager
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to display the Area enclosed by layout (Ap) and Perimeter of layout (Cp) to U-tube calculation details | Solution: Starting in V12, the user can display the Area enclosed by layout (Ap) and Perimeter of layout (Cp) under the Tubesheets/Expansion Joints results
Keywords: Ap, Cp, Tubesheets, UHX-12.5.9
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can I access Aspen Version Comparison Assistant (AVCA)? | Solution: You can find this tool in the Start menu | Aspen Engineering Tools
AVCA is installed automatically when installing aspenONE Engineering suite.
NOTE: Please be aware that Aspen Version Comparison Assistant will not work on any version before 2006.5.
Keywords: Aspen Version Comparison Assistant
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to use the aspenONE EP Installer? | Solution: The new EP Installer provides a standard method for installing Emergency Patches (EP’s) with V12 going forward for all AspenTech products. It is delivered as a .EXE and is used to deploy V12+ EP’s.
Depending on the product being patched, the installer may need to stop and restart services, or require a reboot after installation. You can refer to the specific EP’s Release Notes for more information regarding its installation requirements.
Double click on the Aspen_ProductName_Version_EP_Number.EXE. Click on Continue to start the EP Installation.
Depending on the EP, the Welcome page may also inform you if a reboot is required for the EP installation. Such as seen in the example below:
You may also see additional steps based on the given EP. If necessary, some services will be stopped during EP Installation, and services will be restarted once the EP has been installed.
A log file will be created in the default location, %temp% folder. See the EP Command Line Parameters section below to change the log file location.
For uninstallation purposes, the EP Installer creates a backup folder in ASPENROOT32\EP_Backup\This_EP_ID
For example:
EP Uninstall:
The aspenONE EP Installer allows user to uninstall the latest EP version applied.
If the EP can be uninstalled, users should see Continue option when the EP installer is launched. Uninstalling the EP will roll back the EP files to the previous state before the EP was applied.
Click on OK to confirm the uninstall.
As with the install process, you may also see additional steps based on the given EP. If necessary, some services will be stopped and restarted.
Click on the Complete button once the uninstallation is complete. Some uninstalls may require a reboot of the machine.
EP Command Line Parameters:
The aspenONE EP Install can be run silently using the flag, /s.
For Example: "EPName.exe" /s
Note: Silent EP Uninstallation is not supported
Make sure to include quotes ("") around the EP name if there are spaces in it.
During silent install some services may stop and start automatically.
Registry Hive location to verify if the EP was installed successfully or not:
\\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\AspenTech\Setup\Products\<product name>, where <product name> is the name of the respective product.
Check the “CurrentEPVersion” RegKey to find installed EP version. If there are any issues with the install check the log file.
To change the default log file folder location, use the flag, /logfolder: "<Folder path> ". Otherwise, by default, the logfile generates in the %temp% folder. The log file will be called, ProductName-Version-Date.txt.Example – "EPName.exe" /s /logfolder:"C:\Test"
Troubleshooting:
If you receive a message saying that the EP validation failed, you can check the log file for more information regarding the error, however typically this can be caused by one of the following:
The specific AspenTech product is not installed on the machine
The EP version is not compatible. Starting with V12, EPs are cumulative, thus you cannot install an earlier version of an EP than what is already installed.
For example, if EP V12.0.0.2 is installed, you would be unable to install V12.0.0.1, as the fixes were already included in EP V12.0.0.2.
If for any reason, you want to uninstall an EP, you must start with uninstalling the latest EP first.
Keywords: EP
Emergency Patch
References: None |
Problem Statement: What does Amine Circulation rate mean? | Solution: The Circulation rate is the flow rate of the amine stream that circulates between the absorber and regenerator. Includes the flow rate of the amine stream including all components (amine, water and acid gas, etc.) in the stream.
The Recirculation Rate are reported at Std Ideal Liq Vol Flow. Find more information about the volume flow properties in the article How are the various volume flow properties in Aspen HYSYS calculated?
The flow rate of the amine stream changes in a closed loop; for example, the rate of the lean amine exiting the regenerator and the rate of the lean amine exiting the surge tank are different due to the water and amine makeup.
Screenshot from the file Acid GasMDEA, available in the Examples folder of Aspen HYSYS (C:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen HYSYS V12.0\Samples)
The makeup block (in the example named Surge Tank) used to add water and MDEA into the solvent (based on the AspenTech example file on MDEA), the makeup block is used because of the loss of water and MDEA in the Acid Gas stream; for that reason the loss of those components are not the same inside and outside the column.
Keywords: Amine Circulation, Amines, Make up, Acid Gas
References: None |
Problem Statement: What are some of the common issues while using Aspen Multicase and how can they be addressed? | Solution: This attached pdf file highlights some of the common issues you may see while using Aspen Multicase and possible solutions.
Keywords: Aspen Multicase, issues, unconverged, does not start, unable to find variables, trace components
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to co-exist with third party software that uses Rainbow or "SafeNet Sentinel" license manager?
SLM uses Rainbow (SafeNet Sentinel) license manager for its base product, however some third-party software uses the license manager too. And, if the third-party software uses the environment variable LSHOST or LSFORCEHOST to designate its license server, AspenTech software then tries to get its license from the license server specified in those variables. The result is the AspenTech software cannot start because of missing license. | Solution: With AspenTech products, the environment variables LSHOST and LSFORCEHOST supersede the license server settings in the registry. And further, LSFORCEHOST supersedes LSHOST.
AspenTech products do not need these environment variables to search for the license server. So, if the third-party software does not need to use these environment variables, they should be deleted. This will let the AspenTech and third-party products co-exist on the same machine.
If the third-party software uses LSHOST only, the AspenTech SLM server should be assigned to LSFORCEHOST and the third-party license server to LSHOST. This would also allow them to co-exist on the same machine.
Keywords: LSHOST
LSFORCEHOST
Rainbow
SafeNet Sentinel
References: None |
Problem Statement: Why do I receive following license error even when pointing to the correct license file and the license server is configured properly:
Unable to acquire [Product Name] license.
Error Code: 18
Description : The license for this product or feature could not be found. Be sure you are pointing to the correct license file or the license server is configured properly | Solution: The communication ports that the AspenTech SLM uses are:
TCP Port 5093
UDP Port 5093
TCP Port 5094
UDP Port 5094
If the Firewall is turned on, you will need to set some exceptions to the ports, so that the SLM licensing can work properly.
To add port Exceptions:
Start "Windows FireWall"on Control Panel
Windows XP SP2 and SP3
1. Click on the Exceptions Tab.
2. Click Add Port.
3. Give the Exception a Name (Ex. UDP5093, TCP5093, UDP5094, TCP5094).
4. Place "5093" (no quotes) in the port number.
5. Choose Either UDP or TCP.
6. Repeat Steps 2 through 5 for all four ports listed above..
Windows Vista
1. Click "Allow a program through Windows Firewall" and invoke "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security" window.
2. Click Add Port.
3. Give the Exception a Name (Ex. UDP5093, TCP5093, UDP5094, TCP5094).
4. Place "5093" (no quotes) in the port number.
5. Choose Either UDP or TCP.
6. Repeat Steps 2 through 5 for all four ports listed above..
Windows 7
1. Click "Advanced settings" and invoke "Windows Firewall Settings" window and select Exceptions Tab.
2. Click "Inbound Rules" and select "New Rule..." and select "Port"and click "Next"
3. Choose "TCP" for protocol and select "Special local ports" and enter "5093,5094"in the port number and click "Next"
4. Choose appropriate profile for your environment and click "Next"
5. Enter "SLMTCPIN"in Name and click "Finish"
6. Repeat Steps 3 through 5 for "UDP" protocol and name it "SLMUDPIN"
7. Repeat Step 2 through 6 for "Outbound Rules".
Keywords: port, automation error, -2147417848, licensing, license, checkout, check out, cannot check out, error 18, checkout license, Windows Vista, Windows 7
References: None |
Problem Statement: What is Reservation and how to create Reservation file? | Solution: Reservations let you associate user groups with each feature. A certain number of licenses for that feature are then reserved in a pool for these user groups. Any licenses not specifically reserved remain in the general pool.
Please follow attached presentation to create a Reservation file.
A group specification consists of the following:
Name of the feature for which the reservation applies
Name of the group
Number of licenses reserved for that group
Login names of users/host IDs of computers belonging to that group
The following restrictions apply:
The groups must be mutually exclusive.
Different groups using the same feature cannot have common users or computers.
The number of licenses reserved for a feature cannot exceed the number of concurrent copies specified in the license string for that feature.
Guidelines for Writing a Reservation File:
Once the reservation file has been created, stop and start the SLM service using loadls.exe . There is no need to re-start the computer.
Make sure you press Enter after the last line in the reservation file; otherwise, the last line in the reservation file is not taken into account.
There is no comment in the SLM log file showing that the server is using a reservation file.
WlmAdmin will show the current number of users for each license, the maximum number of users, and the number of reserved licenses.
Comment lines start with ##.
There is no entry in the SLM log file showing that a reservation is used.
Use the noone keyword in order to prevent anyone from using certain licenses, for example, SLM_AspenProperties: Grp2:2: noone
Use $<computer name> to allow any user logged on a specific computer to use the license. The line below will reserve 2 aspen Properties licenses to user1 and any user logged on to the computer machine1: SLM_AspenProperties: Grp2:2: user1 $machine1
Use !<username> to prevent a user from using a specific license, even if a license is available and not reserved. The line will prevent user2 from using Aspen Properties: SLM_AspenProperties: Grp2:2: user1 $machine1 !user2
When a license key is refused to the user, the following error message appears on the client computer. This is a standard message that also appears when there are no more licenses available on the computer.
KeyWords
SLM, License Server, Sentinel, Reservation, License, Group
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can I automate the SLM Configuration settings on multiple clients? | Solution: While SLM does not provide a mechanism for exporting license configuration settings, it is possible to perform this task by exporting the Windows Registry Key that holds the SLM Configuration of a client that is already configured and has been tested. Once the SLM Configuration File is exported and saved as a .reg file, Administrators can push the SLM configuration into multiple clients by executing the .reg (using Run as Administrator) without having to run the SLM Configuration Wizard on every machine.
Creating the SLM Configuration File
To export the SLM Configuration File, please select the appropriate method below, according to your version, to export the SLM Configurations:
Method 1:
SLM Configuration Registry File Export for all versions:
1. Ensure that the SLM Configuration has been properly set (and tested) by running the SLM Configuration Wizard on the client in which the configuration file will be exported from.
2. Access the Windows registry by going to Start > Run, and enter regedit.exe (run as Administrator).
3. Locate the keys:
a. aspenONE v7.3 and below:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\HyproTech\SLM\CONFIGURATION (Windows 32bit)
or HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\HyproTech\SLM\CONFIGURATION (Windows 64bit)
b. aspenONE v8.0 and above:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\AspenTech\SLM\CONFIGURATION (Windows 32bit)
or HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\AspenTech\SLM\CONFIGURATION (Windows 64bit)
Note: If your environment has both 64bit and 32bit computers, you will need to export the key for each bit type and apply it to the appropriate computers.
4. Right-click on Configuration and select Export
5. Save the configuration file in the desired directory
Note: Manipulating the Windows Registry should only be performed by experienced Administrators or it may lead to undesired results.
Method 2:
SLM Configuration Registry File Export for V9 and up:
1. Ensure that the SLM Configuration has been properly set (and tested) by running the SLM Configuration Wizard on the client in which the configuration file will be exported from.
2. Click on "Export Settings". This will export the SLM Configuration Registry Settings.
3. Click Yes and save the registry export
4. You will use the registry export file to deploy SLM configurations to other client machines.
Deploying the SLM Configuration File
To import the settings onto a new client computer, do the following:
1. Deploy the Configuration file to all clients using a Deployment Tool (example: Microsoft SCCM).
2. Or manually import the Configuration file to each client computer by doing the following steps:
a. Log into the client computer as an Administrator.
b. Copy the new Configuration file to the client computer.
c. Double-click the Configuration file and it will import the settings into the client's registry.
Initializing the SLM License
Once the configuration file has been deployed to the client computer, the network SLM License will need to be initialized on the client computer.
1. Create a batch (.bat) file and have it execute the following command: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\AspenTech Shared\SLMLicenseInit.exe" (include the quotes around the command).
2. Either deploy the batch file using your Deployment Tool or manually double-click it in a Administrator Command Prompt window.
Keywords: SLM Configuration
Windows Registry
SLM Configuration Wizard
References: None |
Problem Statement: Unable to install a standalone license file remotely on a user machine.
Error " You are attempting to install this license file on a remotely connected machine, but the license file is not valid for remote connection (it is missing the 'SLM_AllowRemoteSession' license). Contact AspenTech to obtain a proper license. | Solution: This issue will occur if a standalone license file is installed remotely from another machine. Standalone license files are not designed to be used on multi user machine or on a VM.
Install standalone license file manually by following below steps:
a. Remove all old license files from C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\AspenTech Shared location (License files are named lservrc_xxx_xxxxx).
b. Copy and paste the standalone license file in C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\AspenTech Shared location.
c. Standalone license file is now ready to be used. Please launch the product to confirm its working.
Note: A standard Standalone license file will not work on a multi-user machine or a VM. Please contact customer care to buy special license if you want to use standalone license file on a multi-user machine or a VM.
Keywords: Standalone install
SLM_AllowRemoteSession
References: None |
Problem Statement: Why do I get the license error code 12 “Internal error in SentinelLM”?
Problem Description
-------------- SLM Common Error Dialog ---------------
Application: AspenHysys.exe
--------------- Information Flags ---------------
Error while checking out license HYSYS_Process
--------------- Sequence of Events ---------------
Server: SLM SERVER NAME
Bucket: default
Type: Standard License
Code: 12
Description: Internal error in SentinelLM | Solution: This error indicates version incompatibility issues between SLM Server(s) and AspenONE Client Software. In this case, the Software License Manager (SLM) License Server must be upgraded to a higher version in order to get rid of error code 12. Please refer to Knowledge Base 146299-2 entitled “What is the compatibility policy for Software License Manager (SLM) Server and Client?” to find out what are the SLM Server versions that are compatible with Client Machines.
Keywords: Error code 12
Internal error in SentinelLM
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I check if my license server has a specific product key in use? | Solution: This knowledge base article describes how to find if your license server has a specific product key in use.
Launch aspenONE SLM License Manager and click on License Profiler
Select the License Server, click Load Information, and View Licenses
The Name shows all the license key names available in your license server. Scroll up and down to check if the particular product license key is available in license server.
Note: if a particular license key is missing in your license server then place a license key order to get a new updated license file.
Keywords: License key
missing
Profiler
References: None |
Problem Statement: Aspen Watch Shows Run status OldRunTime waiting – Possible root Couse and troubleshooting . | Solution: Make sure the following configurations are correct:
1. Time Zone , timestamp and daylight savings time auto adjustment need to be all the same .
2. Check the CIM-IO_logical_devices.def file to make sure you do not have duplicate entries anywhere.
verify the DLGPServiceName (3rd column is correct) and verify that only one instance of that service name and port number appears in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\services file .
3. All TSK_AWxx external tasks are running .
Note : if you modify a logical devices def file or service file, then these need to be restarted.
4. On online server , DMCplus context server service is running .
5. Verify from both the servers DNS configuration is correct ,Ping with hostname should return the correct IP address.
Key words:
Aspen Watch , OldRunTime waiting
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: CIM-IO_MSG.LOG shows WNT Error 1314 -A required privilege is not held by the client.
29-MAR-2021 05:47:00.091, Logged by CIMIOManager on node xxxx: Win32 error 1314 logging on as xxxx for server xxxx
29-MAR-2021 05:47:00.019, Logged by CIMIOManager on node xxxx: CIMIO_MGMT_SERVER_LOGON, Error logging on as another user
WNT Error=1314 A required privilege is not held by the client. | Solution: In order to resolve this issue, the local security policies need to be updated. Specifically, the account used to start CIM-IO Manager need to be added to the Local Policies for:
Act as part of the operating system
Log on as a batch job
Log on as a Service
Replace a process level token
Go into Control Panel -> Admin Tools -> Local Security Policy, and add the account used to start CIM-IO Manager to the Local Policies => User Rights Assignment in each of above mentioned policies.
To add the account to these policies, you would need to click on each of the policies above and go to its Properties area to add the account. For example, right click on Act as part of the operating system => Properties => click on Add Users or Groups => enter domain\user name in the 'Enter the object names to select' field and click OK. Once done, click OK again.
Please refer Articleid=000071343 for the above solution .
Notes:
It is recommended that the same user\password is used on both Client and Server machines.
Check and ensure that the account or the group the account belongs to is in the above-mentioned local policies.
Additionally if above does not work you can also check the following two settings :
Go into Control Panel -> Admin Tools -> Local Security PolicyàSecurity settings à local policiesàsecurity option à check if Network access: let everyone permissions apply to anonsymous users is enabled .
Verify the DCOM settings if any on the OPC Client side.
Key words:
CIM-IO ,WNT Error 1314
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: In PCWS Controllers last run time does not match with the system time . | Solution: When the PCWS server system time is changed you need to restart the Aspen APC web provider data service .
Key words:
PCWS , time sync
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: When running the Aspen Operations Dashboard (the editor, viewer or image server), after about 15 minutes an error will appear stating "The demo license has expired." If you are running the dashboard editor, and you haven't yet saved your dashboard, clicking ok to this error will remove all components from the current dashboard configuration. | Solution: This error can happen for two reasons, both having to do with problems loading the license key for the RTView (the editor, viewer or image server) component.
If you are running the dashboard from within the Aspen RBV (Role Based Visualization) portal, the error is mostly likely occuring because the MIME type of the key file is not recognized. To correct this, go to the RBV server and configure the ".*" mime type as "text/plain". The exact steps are:
Start | Run | inetmgr
Right click on local computer
Choose properties
Click on the 'MIME Types' button
Scroll down to the '.*' extension
Highlight '.*' (NOTE: If this extension doesn't exist, click ADD to create it)
Click the 'Edit' button
Change the MIME type to 'text/plain'
If you are running the dashboard outside of the RBV portal (using either the shortcuts, or from the /rbvrtgraphics/editorpt.asp URL), the error is probably occuring because the required key file does not exist in the user's directory. You will need to copy the KEYS file in the RBV/RTView/Configuration directory to the Documents & Settings\user directory.
Keywords: sl
rtview
ops dash
licensing
References: None |
Problem Statement: As mentioned in the mMDM Help text, the Property list is a master list of all possible properties for all materials. The Property list on the Material Details tab is intended for overriding default values for properties, not for assigning properties.
mMDM is a reference (master data) system that can be used by multiple applications. The list of assigned properties might be different from one application to another, so having one list of assigned properties would not work.
The idea is that when an application queries a material about a property, it should already know the desired property list. It would not ask about a property that does not pertain to a material within the context of that application. So, the question is, how to maintain a list of properties that pertain to the application’s use of the material? | Solution: One solution for assigning properties to materials is to create a class with an array of Property type references, then assign the class to each material. You can then use this list to limit the properties queried for from the material.
Note: If the organization foresees the case where there could be more than one property list for a material, then consider an array of classes that includes a qualifier, such as including a reference to a Business Component definition to delineate the list from say, Accounting, Operations, Engineering, Maintenance.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: This Knowledge Base article describes how definition lifespans are handled in Aspen Manufacturing Master Data Manager (mMDM). | Solution: Please download and review the attached document titled:
Aspen mMDM Definition Lifespans
Keywords:
References: None |
Problem Statement: In a Pipeline Area Project, how do I fix the following error message?
ERROR> 'GP - 1' QUESTION MARK FOUND IN NUMERIC DATA | Solution: This message appears in a Pipeline project in ACCE when there is missing information on the Area specs of the Pipeline areas.
When a new Pipeline Project is created, ACCE will automatically add a new Pipeline Area, however the Area specs for this item will not have default values for all parameters, so the user will have to manually enter the Total pipeline length. This applies as well for any additional Pipeline Areas that the user adds to the Project.
This information can be added by double clicking the respective Area (or right clicking, then selecting Modify).
As noted in the screenshot above, the minimum data that the user should add for these types of Area is the Total main-line pipe length, this information is required and used by ACCE to calculate productivity adjustments in various work items.
Upon entering these values and hitting OK, the error message highlighted should not appear anymore.
Note: If the error message displayed is a Fatal message, please check the article FATAL> 'GP - n' DATA SEQUENCE ERROR OR INCOMPLETE DATA SET
Keywords: GP - 1, Pipeline, Question Mark, Numeric Data, Cross Country, Empty, Incomplete, Error, Missing.
References: None |
Problem Statement: Recent Windows versions support Text Scaling at High DPI screens, but it doesn't work well for some legacy application. The issues include: texts blur, element dislocation and element disappear. | Solution: Text Scaling can be disabled for per application. Here is a workaround for the issue if you have to enable Text Scaling for other applications because of High DPI screens:
Find the DMC3 Builder (or any other application has issue under Text Scaling) )in Start Menu and right click it.
Select Open file location from context menu, it opens a File Explorer window. Find the DMC3 Builder item and right click it.
Select Properties menu to open Properties dialog, switch to Compatibility tab.
If your OS is server like Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2012 R2, check the Disable display scaling on high DPI settings and click OK to save it. This operation will disable the text scaling for specific applications only but enables for others.
If your OS is desktop like Windows 10 or Windows 8.1, the workflow is little different. Click Change high DPI settings button at Compatibility tab, then check Use this setting to fix scaling problems for this program instead of the one in settings, and also check Override high DPI scaling behavior.
Close all opening DMC3 Builder windows and reopen it. Check whether it works.
Keywords: Text Scaling
High DPI
DMC3 Builder
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to resolve Aspen CIM IO Communication issues related to WNT Error messages and corresponding KB articles | Solution: WNT Error Cause of the error KB Article to refer
"WNT Error=10054 An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host"? These messages indicate that the network connection is being closed by an external mechanism or program. When this occurs the data transfer stops briefly then the "10054" message is logged which indicates that the socket has been forcibly closed. The next socket is selected and communication subsequently resumes. These errors are logged because Aspen Cim-IO encounters periodic breaks in the network. https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000066576
"Error looking up service name WNT Error=11004" CIMIO_SOCK_GETSERV_FAIL, Error looking up service name WNT Error=11004 The requested name is valid and was found in the database, but it does not have the correct associated data being resolved for. https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000068260
Wait-for-Async-Process-in-Cim-IO-transfer-records-server-log-says-WNT-Error-11001-No-such-host-is-known Wait-for-Async-Process-in-Cim-IO-transfer-records-server-log-says-WNT-Error-11001-No-such-host-is-known https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000096317
Cim-IO test API fails "WNT Error=10060 A connection attempt failed because the connected party did not properly respond after a period of time, or established connection failed because connected host has failed to respond." Cim-IO test API fails "WNT Error=10060 A connection attempt failed because the connected party did not properly respond after a period of time, or established connection failed because connected host has failed to respond." https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000068061
WNT Error=10061 No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it. missing key in the registry. https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000087388
Key words:
WNT Error
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to Map LIMS data to IQ . | Solution: Setup interface to map the tag in .IQF file for that :
If data is collected in IP21 – setup CIM_IO for IP21 interface
If data is directly collected in OPC and interface needs to be done from CIM-IO for OPC .
After successful interface – Please change settings and parameter I .IQF file .
You might need to setup CIMIO logical device at View > Options dialog:
In .IQF file Please change the settings in LDC àProperties à String as shown in the below screenshot .
Then Map the tags as per the CIM-IO Device name and Source tag as highlighted in circle for NEWLAB ,STKTMISTRN and AWFLAG as shown in screenshot below :
In CONFIG tab check if the interface mapping timestamp i.e. parameter INTIMEFMT is same as LIMS time stamp format as LIMS .
Key words:
LIMS, IQ
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: In the APC Centralized Benefits Monitoring User Guide, the Process Data Configuration section (page 9) explains that to enable the APC Benefits Monitoring page, the ATProcessDataREST.config file must be modified to specify the data source (server where Aspen Watch is installed or a centralized server where tags are replicated).
Is it possible to configure for not just one but for multiple data sources (i.e. display benefits data from multiple Aspen Watch servers)? | Solution: In the factory installation of the MSC V11 Suite, multiple data sources are not supported. When modifying the ATProcessDataREST.config file, the user can only specify one data source. As a result, one Web Server can only display the Benefits Monitoring data from one Aspen Watch Server.
However, MES V11.0 Cumulative Patch CP2 for aspenONE Process Explorer does support multiple data sources. If you apply the patch, there's a sample file included called AtProcessDataREST_V11.config (in the same directory: C:\inetpub\wwwroot\AspenTech\ProcessData\), where it explains that not specifying a data source in the config file will allow the use of all data sources available:
<!-- Benefit Monitoring options
Data Source = If configured, this will show a single data source in the menu,
otherwise all IP21 data sources that contain Benefit records will be shown
Update Rate = Default rate at which the display will update (in seconds, default is 1 minute)
Time Period = Default time period that will be displayed for the Benefit plot (in hours, default is 1 day)
-->
<BenefitMonitoring_DataSource></BenefitMonitoring_DataSource>
<BenefitMonitoring_UpdateRate>60</BenefitMonitoring_UpdateRate>
<BenefitMonitoring_TimePeriod>24</BenefitMonitoring_TimePeriod>
So by keeping the ATProcessDataREST.config file with this configuration of no data source specified, it will show data from all available data sources:
<BenefitMonitoring_DataSource></BenefitMonitoring_DataSource>
Whereas, if you would like to specify the data source to be just one Aspen Watch Server, you can modify the file as described in the original User Guide. For example:
<BenefitMonitoring_DataSource>APCWatchServerName</BenefitMonitoring_DataSource>
You can enable the multiple data sources functionality by applying the MES V11.0 CP2 patch for aspenONE Process Explorer: https://esupport.aspentech.com/apex/S_SoftwareDeliveryDetail?id=a0e4P00000OwGNUQA3
More information on this enhancement can be found on page 2 of the Release Notes for the patch (aspenONE_ProcessExplorer_V11_CP2_Notes) in the same link above.
Keywords: : centralized, benefits, monitoring, multiple, data, source, datasource
References: None |
Problem Statement: In the View Trend window within Aspen Mtell Agent Builder, the following buttons may be missing:
View Excursions
View Metrics (no longer available in V12)
Probability Trend
View Failure Details
Export Data
Save Agent
Close | Solution: One potential solution is to decrease your zoom setting.
1. Open Windows Settings. If you are working on a virtual machine (VM), you will need to open Windows Settings on your host computer.
2. Select System.
3. On the left sidebar, select Display (if it is not already open).
4. Under Scale and layout, where it says "Change the size of text, apps, and other items", try lowering the zoom setting. For instance, if it is set at 150%, try lowering it to 125% or 100%.
5. If you are using Aspen Mtell on a VM, restart the VM, otherwise skip to the next step.
6. Open the View Trend window.
7. If the buttons still do not appear, then repeat steps 4 - 5, using a smaller zoom setting.
Keywords: Disappeared
Not showing up
References: None |
Problem Statement: What are the Expansion Templates and how to use them? | Solution: The Expansion Templates are built diagrams frequently used of multiple equipment connected.
The Expansion Templates are configurations of multiple equipment and connectors. These can be placed in a drawing to save time for a frequently used configuration like distillation columns (with condenser and reboiler), heaters, decanters, etc.
To add an Expansion Template, follow these steps:
Go to Symbol Library | Primary Expansions, and expand the folder to see the different configurations.
Click on the desired configuration and place the cursor in the Diagram (or do the drag the symbol and drop it in the Diagram).
Keywords: Expansion Templates, Drawing Editor
References: None |
Problem Statement: This Knowledge Base article shows how to use the aspenONE Process Explorer (a1PE) Trend Plot in a separate web page or iframe with a URL. | Solution: The a1PE Trend Plot can be used in a separate web page or iFrame with a URL such as:
http://localhost/ProcessExplorer/WebControls/PBPlots.asp?outsidea1=graphic&tag=ATCP301
... or this one without the Legend and TimeLine:
http://localhost/ProcessExplorer/WebControls/PBPlots.asp?outsidea1=graphic&tag=ATCP301&ShowLegend=no&ShowTimeLine=no
Parameter Values
Example
Description
outsidea1=graphic
Use a lighter version of the trend plot; exclude navigation header, tag input line, etc.
tag=tagname
Specify tag(s) to load the plot with initially. More than 1 tag can be specified with comma as delimiter, such as tag=tagname1,tagname2
source=datasource
src=datasource
Optionally specify data source(s) for tags. Default data source is used if not specified. If you have comma delimited tag list then you should provide equivalent comma delimited data source list. Note, source and src are equivalent.
map=mapname
Optionally specify map(s) for tags. Default map is used if not specified.
T1= and T2=
Times can optionally be specified on the URL with "T1=" and "T2=". Supported time stamp formats:
· ISO 8601 combined date and time format: YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss.sss±hh:mm (note the T is required between date and time, and ±hh:mm indicates UTC time zone offset). For example: &T1=2015-11-30T09:21:16.000-06:00&T2=2015-11-30T11:21:16.000-06:00
· A decimal value representing milliseconds since the epoch (01 Jan, 1970 00:00:00 UTC). For example: &T1=1448896876706&T2=1448904076706
· Relative to current time, specified as * followed by value and H (hours) M (minutes) S (seconds) in that order. For example: &T1=*-26H&T2=*-24H
Note if T2 is not specified, it is assumed to be current time. For example &T1=*-4H with T2 unspecified would always bring up a window with T2 at current time and T1 at 4 hours prior.
PlotFile=SamplePlot.xml
Where SamplePlot.xml is an XML plot definition file saved to the a1PE default plot file location.
Keywords: external
References: None |
Problem Statement: When migrated to Office 365 and ASW V10, Aspen Properties, Aspen Simulation Workbook asks to enable every time when open MS-Excel. | Solution: 1. Disable all other non-ASW Excel addins.
2. The registry key for ASW may have been switched from “load at open” to “do not load at open”, which makes the ribbon disappear upon launching Excel.
3. Go to the Registry Editor (regedit),
4. The LoadBehavior value should be set to 3 as in the below path:
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Excel\Addins\ASWXLAddinLoader.Connect.V10.0
The complete path to the ASW Registry key is seen at the attached image.
Also ensure that multiple instances of Excel are not running on the machine.
Key Words:
ASW, Load behavior, office 365
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article explains the steps to resolve an issue where when trying to register the Aspen Properties databases using the database manager with a remote SQL server, an error will display "No more properties database is available in Server .... Select a Different Sever.". | Solution: The machine may already have local databases that were registered on the machine.
Open the database manager and right click the already registered databases and select Delete Database Registration for all four databases. After deletion, try connecting to the remote SQL server and register the databases.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: There is not possible to use the Copy & Paste options for a curve on the Non-Linear model on DMC3 Builder, but there are some parameters that can be changed in a curve to make it exactly like another one. | Solution: For this procedure, we are going to copy the corresponding curve for the model between CV1 and MV2 to the model curve for the model between CV2 and MV2.
The steps to perform the procedure are the next:
Click on Build Models.
Make sure that in the Inputs tab, the model you desire to modify has a check on the respective box.
Verify that the Deadtime of the model that is going to be copied is the same that the model that is being edited.
For this example, CV1 was selected to see the parameters of the curves associated with that variable. Click on Configure.
Check on the Time Constant and Stable Gain parameters for the model you want to copy. Click on OK.
Click on the variable which contains the model you want to edit, in this case CV2, and click again con Configure.
Write the parameters checked on the first model and click on OK.
Click on Apply.
The curve in the new model will be exactly the same based on the parameters copied and now will be viewable on the Models tab.
Keywords: DMC3 Builder, Non-linear controller, copy curve
References: None |
Problem Statement: Why do I get the error message ‘Cannot find the SCHEMA entry in Software\AspenTech\AspenBasicEngineering\19.1\Simulators\Provision’ when attempting to import a PRO/II model into ABE V10? | Solution: The purpose of this article is to describe the procedure to import PRO/II models built in V9.3 or newer versions (specifically PRO/II V10 models) into ABE V10. If after following the instructions described in this article, the user still deals with problems, please contact AspenTech Support for help (esupport.aspentech.com).
As of ABE V10 onwards, Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus models are imported into ABE directly through the process simulators, making use of the new ‘Datasheets’ feature, accessible from the Home tab of the ribbon (in both Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus).
For this reason, the ‘Simulation Importer’ feature of the ABE Explorer is now only intended to be used to import PRO/II (either *.prz, or *.pr1) models (unless the Aspen Basic Engineering V10 CP1 had already been installed, which brings back the support for importing Aspen Plus and Aspen HYSYS simulation files via the desktop ‘Simulation Importer’ tool), as shown in the images below:
Special attention is needed to correctly register the ‘P2oledbs.exe’ file, as well as both the ‘CONFIG’ and ‘SCHEMA’ files. The ‘P2oledbs.exe’ file needs to be registered to activate both the ‘CONFIG’ and ‘SCHEMA’ file entries on the ‘Simulation Importer’ wizard. Information on the ‘Simulation Importer’ and the ‘P2oledbs.exe’, ‘CONFIG’ and ‘SCHEMA’ files is available in the following location: C:\Program Files\AspenTech\Basic Engineering V10.0\UserServices\Help, as shown in the image below:
To register the ‘P2oledbs.exe’ file, follow the instructions described in the article ‘Ensuring P2oledbs.exe is Registered’ in the ‘Simulation Importer’ help file. Below is an extract from the article and an image which illustrates its location:
‘The ‘P2oledbs.exe’ must be registered as an OLE server on your computer. This usually happens during the installation of PRO/II, but if files have been copied to your computer and installed incorrectly, follow the next steps to register the ‘P2oledbs.exe’ manually:
Find the ‘P2oledbs.exe’ file. If PRO/II was installed in the default location, this file might be found in: C:\simsci\proii\bin\p2oledbs.exe.
Double-click on the ‘P2oledbs.exe’ file and close the program afterwards.’
Next step is to make sure that ABE is pointing to the correct ‘SCHEMA’ and ‘CONFIG’ files. This is set on the ‘Options’ tab of the ‘Simulation Importer’ wizard, as illustrated in the image below:
If ABE is pointing to the wrong ‘SCHEMA’ file, when attempting to import a PRO/II V10 model, the following error message will pop up. The user must make sure that ABE is pointing to the correct ‘SCHEMA’ file in the PRO/II installation folder. This is also covered in the article ‘Cannot Find SCHEMA File’, as shown in the image below:
The user must make sure that ABE is pointing to the correct ‘SCHEMA’ file in the PRO/II installation folder. This is also covered in the article ‘Cannot Find SCHEMA File’, as shown in the image below:
Regarding the ‘CONFIG’ file (*.ini file), with PRO/II V9.3 and newer versions, there might be problems on how the ‘PROII.INI’ file is initialized. It is important for the user to figure out where the ‘PROII.INI’ file is found. There is an article, ‘Cannot Find CONFIG File’, available in the ‘Simulation Importer’ help file, stating the mentioned above, as shown in the image below:
In previous versions, the ‘CONFIG’ / ‘PROII.INI’ file was generally found in the program folder, however, in newer versions of PRO/II, the correct version is not being referenced by default by the ‘Simulation Importer’ wizard (although, please note, the image below says so).
In newer versions of PRO/II, there has been a step-change to creating a customized ‘PROII.INI’ file for each user machine, as the Windows profiles are created.
For companies that utilize shared Citrix environments to access ABE, this change adds a level of complexity when it comes to simulation importing because there is no longer just a single common ‘PROII.INI’ file to point to. To add to the challenge, the folder that it resides in, called ‘AppData’, is a hidden folder in the user’s profile.
NOTE: To import PRO/II V10.1 models into ABE V10, the ABE V10 EP07 must be installed. For every newer version of PRO/II, a new Emergency Patch (EP) will be needed for ABE V10 to correctly import PRO/II data.
Keywords: PRO/II, Simulation Importer, Import, P2oledbs.exe, SCHEMA, CONFIG, PROII.INI, Emergency Patch.
References: None |
Problem Statement: In Aspen Basic Engineering Mapper, what are the different stream classes used for? | Solution: When using Mapper tool to map streams from the simulation, users have the following options:
PFDPipingSystem
ControlPipingSystem
MaterialPipingSystem
InstrumentLine
PrimaryPipingSystem
SecondaryPipingSystem
UtilityPipingSystem
These stream classes hierarchy can be represented with the schematic below:
From the point of view of simulation mapping, the stream classes are not very different. They carry a similar amount of data. It is more down to user preference what type of stream they want to use in real life scenarios. These would be useful if they are developing ABE P&IDs and need to assign the different connections. So these could represent the different types of lines and connections typically depicted on a P&ID, e.g. control lines, instrument air lines, utility lines, etc. If they are not generating P&IDs and are mapping streams, then the most often used stream class is PrimaryPipingSystem.
Examples of process lines to be used with each stream class are as below:
PrimaryPipingSystem: Usually most of the process streams in the simulation are treated as PrimaryPipingSystem. In V11, this will be the default stream class mapping.
SecondaryPipingSystem: It appears a lot in the P&ID diagrams. It could be a branch of the pipe, or streams not showing up on PFD.
UtilityPipingSystem: The connection for utility line
InstrumentLine: The connection for instrument indicator, such as temperature, pressure, or flow controller.
Keywords: PFDPipingSystem, PrimaryPipingSystem, Stream class
References: None |
Problem Statement: In Aspen HYSYS's liquid density calculation of TEG, would using Volume Translation value from a third party tool provide a valid result? (For example, using PVTSim's Cpen Peneloux volume correction for Volume Translation term entry) | Solution: Because HYSYS uses a different value for TEG critical pressure than other literature (please refer to article 47396), Volume Translation value calclulated from outside tools will not be compatible with HYSYS. However, since property models inside HYSYS have been re-parameterized to account for HYSYS's incorrect TEG Pc, using Volume Translation value calculated from HYSYS's COSTALD will maintain the consistency in liquid density with other sources.
In the attached HYSYS file, there are three fluid packages, one HYSPR is the default HYSYS PR, one AspenPropIdeal is using Aspen Properties Ideal with DIPPR model to calculate density. The third one HYSPR-EOSden is the HYSYS PR with density modeled by EOS with VT. If you compare the density results between HYSPR and AspenPropIdeal, the density results are similar up to the critical temperature:
HYSPR:
AspenPropIdeal:
That means the density calculated based on 14 bar Pc for TEG does not affect the density calculation dramatically.
If you want to use EOS with Vol. Trans. to estimate density, at the default T, P (15C, 1atm), the COSTALD and EOS should give the same result. If you check the density at this condition for HYSPR and HYSPR-EOSden packages, they indeed give similar density results:
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Is slug flow analysis in Flare Analyzer System based on the same method used in HYSYS? | Solution: In HYSYS, a mathematical model based on mass and momentum equations was developed to identify slug flow possibility. The model involves study of the traveling waves solutions and flow stability test. M Watson developed this model and described the detailed methodology in his paper: Watson, M., "The Modelling of Slug Flow Properties.", 10th International Conference Multiphase '01, Cannes, France, 13-15 June 2001.
This paper can be obtained via the following article: https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000032111
As for Flare Analyzer System, slug flow is determined solely based on Gregory Aziz and Mandhane flow regime chart. This flow chart was based on almost 6,000 flow pattern observations, from a variety of systems, and many independent studies and it is strictly applicable only to horizontal flow.
This flow map can be viewed through: Navigation Pane > Results > Flow Map.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to transfer the simulation into different cases using ABE Mapper? | Solution: A case is a collection of descriptive values for objects and connections. Cases typically reflect different situations that would affect the same datasheet, e.g. operating conditions in summer and winter. Its scope does not cover topological cases where the number of objects, or connectivity of the same objects is different. The case currently applied to a datasheet is called the governing case.
There are two types of cases:
Global - apply to all objects in the database
Restricted - apply to individual objects in the database
Initially, all database values in a workspace are part of the same global design case. You can create, delete, and rename all cases. For datasheets that show more than one case, you can show or hide field values and copy data from one case to another.
To upload the simulation into different cases in ABE please follow these steps:
Map your simulation into the defauls "Desigh" case
Go to Explorer, click on "Management" pull-down and select "Case Management"
Click the plus icon to add a case. In the New Case dialog, enter a name for the new case (i.e. Case1)
The new case is added to the list of cases. If you checked Set as Default Governing Case you are prompted to confirm replacing the current governing case
To upload a simulation to the new case, open the new simulation file and go to Mapper. Select the new case form the pull-down menu. As the mapping was already done for the first case, you will see the Mapping Status and Attribute Transfer Status as filled circles. The data will be transfered with the same configuration as in previous mapping. Click on Transfer
If the same simulation file will be used for different cases, it is important to reload Mapper tool every time the simulation is recalculated. Otherwise, Mapper will still be storing previous results.
Keywords: Mapper, New case, ABE, Explorer
References: None |
Problem Statement: Starting from V8.7, similar to other client applications, aspenONE Process Explorer (A1PE) can be secured using AFW Security. This solution demonstrates the procedure to enable security for A1PE. | Solution: To secure A1PE using AFW:
1. log on to AFW Security manager from Start | Programs | AspenTech | AFW security Manager
2. Right Click on Application | All Tasks | Import Application | Browse to C:\Program Files (x86)\AspenTech\ProcessData
3. Select AspenMESClientApplications_AFW.xml click on OK
4. Once the application is imported, you can add the roles to the securable objects you want to secure.
Keywords: A1PE
AFW security
References: None |
Problem Statement: After migrating to ABE V11, some attributes of data type "Real" fail to report data that had been assigned to it in previous version. | Solution: A properly defined attribute has Quantity Type associated with it to show correct units of measure. When migrating to ABE V11, attributes of data type "Real" without a Quantity Type defined will be automatically updated with Quantity Type "Dimensionless," as there is no way for ABE to reliably guess the Quantity Types for all attributes. The data hence will not be displayed in these attributes and require human intervention. The users need to verify these attributes, and update its proper Quantity Types to reflect the correct dimension of the attributes. After that, data should be displayed properly.
Keywords: :
Data not displayed, Real, Quantity Types, Aspen Basic Engineering
References: None |
Problem Statement: Nothing happens when I try to run the old reporter in Aspen Economic Evaluation. No widow appears after trying to launch the interactive reports. | Solution: One of the latest updates in Microsoft Office broke the connection between the Old Icarus Reporter and Microsoft Access Database Engine. This in turn does not allow any application to correctly launch the Icarus reporter. The user can confirm this behavior by looking at the task manager, no instance of the Reporter will be found.
This was last found on MS Office version 16.0.12527.20988, but could be present in other versions as well.
It is possible that another Office update could automatically fix this issue, but for an immediate solution go to the Control Panel and locate the program Microsoft Access Database Engine, and Repair the application.
If possible, it is recommended to use the New Reporter (available in V11 and higher), which does not require any connection with MS Access, therefore offering better performance and stability.
Keywords: Error, Does not work, Reports, Access, Older, Upgrade, Excel, Standard, Does not load, Freeze
References: None |
Problem Statement: Where can I find the Project Schedule generated by ACCE? | Solution: After a Project Evaluation in Aspen Capital Cost Estimator, a Project Schedule is generated through the Critical Path Method (CPM). This schedule is reported as three different views:
General schedule, which shows a simplified view of the full schedule
Engineering schedule, which shows more details on engineering discipline durations
Constructions schedule, which shows a detailed view of the construction time for the components
This schedule can only be visualized through the CCP report, it can be easily found by going to the PROJECT SCHEDULE section and scroll down to the last part of this chapter.
Alternatively, these can be found by typing “GENERAL SCHEDULE”, “ENGINEERING SCHEDULE” or “CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE” respectively on the search section of the report to find each desired view.
Keywords: Schedule, Calendar, Agenda, Chart
References: None |
Problem Statement: Why am I seeing different results / stream properties when opening the same case on two different machines? | Solution: First of all, the users should confirm that the version and patch numbers are the same on both machines that have been used to open the simulation file. Since the internal parameters used to solve the flowsheet may have changed as a result of fixes or improvements, it is possible to obtain different results.
Second, the users should determine whether the stream with discrepancy a specified stream or a calculated stream. For calculated streams leaving iterative unit operations (i.e. columns, adjusts, recycles, etc.), it is possible that the case may converge to a slightly different result that still lies within the specified error tolerance.
Third, ensure that the unit sets are exactly the same on both machines, as unit sets are machine specific, not file specific. Opening the same file on different machines will result in different values simply because different unit sets and corresponding standard conditions (i.e. 15C vs. 60F) are being used. The standard conditions are specified in the simulation option (via File/Options).
Keywords: results, simulation, results, different, same, file
References: None |
Problem Statement: When running a case study and adding the Flow Regime of a pipe segment as the dependent variable, this is displayed as a number instead of the text in the results tab. Which is the numerical correspondence to the different flow regimes and flow correlations? | Solution: Inside of a case study that uses the Flow Regime of a pipe segment as a dependent variable, the flow regime will display as a number. The following is a list with the numerical correspondence of the different flow regimes and correlations:
Value Flow Regime Correlation
0 Liquid Only -
1 Vapour Only -
2 Aqueous Only -
3 Two-Phase HTFS / Poettmann and Carpenter / Baxendell and Thomas / Hagedorn and Brown
4 Elongated Bubble Gregory Aziz Madhane
5 Stratified Gregory Aziz Madhane
6 Slug Flow Gregory Aziz Madhane / Duns and Ros / Orkiszewski / Aziz, Gover and Fogarasi / Tulsa99
7 Wave Flow Gregory Aziz Madhane
8 Annular Mist Gregory Aziz Madhane
9 Dispersed Bubble Gregory Aziz Madhane / Tulsa99
10 Segregated Beggs and Brill
11 Transition Beggs and Brill / Duns and Ros / Orkiszewski / Aziz, Gover and Fogarasi / Tulsa99
12 Intermittent Beggs and Brill
13 Distributed Beggs and Brill
14 Three Phase -
15 Unrecognized Duns and Ros / Orkiszewski / Aziz, Gover and Fogarasi / Tulsa99
16 Bubble Duns and Ros / Orkiszewski / Aziz, Gover and Fogarasi / Hagedorn and Brown
17 Mist Duns and Ros / Orkiszewski / Aziz, Gover and Fogarasi
18 Bubbly Tulsa99
19 Annular Tulsa99
20 Stratified smoot OLGAS_3P / OLGAS_2P
21 Stratified wavy OLGAS_3P / OLGAS_2P
22 Slug Flow OLGAS_3P / OLGAS_2P
23 Bubble Flow OLGAS_3P / OLGAS_2P
24 Single-phase gas OLGAS_3P / OLGAS_2P
25 Single-phase liquid OLGAS_3P / OLGAS_2P
26 Two-phase oil/water OLGAS_3P / OLGAS_2P
27 Single-phase oil OLGAS_3P / OLGAS_2P
28 Single-phase water OLGAS_3P / OLGAS_2P
29 Stratified oil and water Tulsa3P / Tulsa2P
30 Annular oil and water Tulsa3P / Tulsa2P
31 Stratified film water continuous slug Tulsa3P / Tulsa2P
32 Stratified film oil continuous slug Tulsa3P / Tulsa2P
33 Oil in water Tulsa3P / Tulsa2P
34 Water in oil Tulsa3P / Tulsa2P
35 Emulsion Tulsa3P / Tulsa2P
Keywords: Flow Regime, Correlations, Pipe Segment, Case Study
References: None |
Problem Statement:
Some older versions of Internet Explorer (IE) cannot load the Prerequisites Viewer web page correctly. | Solution:
Aspen recommends that you update to the latest version of Internet Explorer, or use Microsoft Edge/Google Chrome web browser. The Prerequisites Viewer web page should look like this:
Keywords: aspenONE Install
Product Prerequisite Requirements
References: None |
Problem Statement: Unable to install Aspen 32bit and 64bit products when they are on different drives.
A defect was introduced in aspenONE V8.4 release where it allows a user to select different drives and root paths as destination for aspenONE 32-bit/64bit installation. If the installation drives are different between 32-bit and 64-bit aspenONE installation, the user may experience issues installing newer aspenONE releases. | Solution: Uninstall the existing 32-bit/64-bit aspenONE applications and reinstall them on the same drive.
Correct Settings:
Incorrect Settings:
Keywords: aspenONE Install
Aspen Engineering Suite (AES)
Manufacturing and Supply Chain (MSC)
Asset Performance Management (APM)
References: None |
Problem Statement: FAQs regarding multi-user accessibility and file sharing availability for APC / DMC3 Builder | Solution: 1. Can multiple people use the server at the same time?
It is Microsoft’s requirement that any Windows Server OS by default allows up to 2 users to be remoted into the machine at the same time. Therefore, up to 2 users can run DMC3 Builder on the same server at the same time without any problem. To use Windows 2008 or 2012 server with more than 2 simultaneous users, it is necessary to have enabled the Remote Desktop Session Host feature on Windows Server (formerly called Terminal Services). This changes the behavior of Remote Desktop sessions to act like a virtualized windows desktop for each user, which is not supported with most (*) Aspen APC software or licensing. Aspen APC software are fully supported on regular remote desktop clients (up to two users per the MS licensing scheme for Windows servers) running simultaneously but accessing different project files.
(*) As of July 2020, we have successfully tested Windows Terminal Server 2012 R2, with the Remote Desktop Session Host feature enabled, used as an APC Desktop Server. The results of this testing showed that our APC Desktop tools are working without issues so this is supported. As mentioned above, if you enable Remote Desktop Session Host (aka Terminal Services) on the Windows Server, then more than 2 users can be remoted into the machine at the same time. Previously we had thought that this RDS feature will create issues for all of our APC tools. However, after this testing, we have confirmed that we do not expect compatibility issues when using it as an APC Desktop Server with tools including DMC3 Builder, which should be used solely for the purpose of developing controllers (but not deploying them online).
2. Are tokens checked out for each user?
One instance of APC Builder consumes 4 tokens. APC Builder also has a share value of 4, which means that only 4 tokens will be checked out even if four instances of the application are run at the same time. However, an additional 4 tokens will be consumed when the fifth instance of the application is opened. This token consumption is the same for when a Windows Terminal Server is being used.
3. Is file sharing feature (multiple users working on same Project at the same time) available for APC Builder Projects?
Aspen APC Builder does not support simultaneous sharing of APC Builder projects i.e. two users cannot open the same APC Builder Project simultaneously.
Keywords: APC Builder, DMC3 Builder, File Sharing, Multi-user accessibility, windows terminal server
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do you model Penicillin recovery by extraction? | Solution: Example Files
This example is delivered with Aspen Plus as the files pen.bkp, penext.f and penfrm.f in the the Aspen Plus GUI directory in a sub-directory called app.
Before running this application, you must copy the Fortran subroutines penext.f and penfrm.f from the application directory to your working directory on the host machine.
You must also compile this subroutine on the working directory of your host machine. To compile the routines, enter the following commands in the Aspen Plus Simulation Engine Window:
aspcomp penext
aspcomp penfrm
Process Overview
Penicillin is recovered from broth using a Podbielniak extractor. The solvent is butyl acetate. Penicillin recovery depends on pH and temperature. Empirical correlations in a Calculator block determine the distribution coefficient for each component. This application models the degradation of Penicillin with an RSTOIC block and a corresponding Calculator block to calculate the extent of degradation based on temperature and pH. A sensitivity study is used to determine the overall effect of pH on penicillin yield and on recovery of the contaminant components.
Demonstrated Features
The Aspen Plus features demonstrated are:
In-line Fortran
Sensitivity Analysis
Model Approach
Penicillin G is not available in the Aspen Plus databanks. Therefore, a large component from the databank is used to represent PEN-G and its degraded form, PEN-DEG. Likewise, Phenylacetic acid is not available in the databanks and so it is represented as acetic acid. The correct molecular weights for each of these components has been provided in the property parameter input.
The KLL distribution coefficients for water and butyl acetate are set to model the aqueous and solvent phases as total immiscible. The KLL distribution coefficients for the solutes are set to zero within this block as simple placeholders. The Calculator block KVALUES is used to calculate and supply the KLL distribution coefficients for each solute based on the temperature and pH.
The PEN-DEG RStoic block converts penicillin from its active form (defined by component PEN-G) to its inactive form (defined by component PEN-DEG). The conversion defined in this block is only a place holder. The FORTRAN block DEGRADE calculates and supplies the extent of degradation for the PEN-DEG block as a function of T and pH.
KeyWords
application
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do you model Sour Water Stripping? | Solution: Example Files
This example is delivered with Aspen Plus as the files sour.bkp and sour.tff in the the Aspen Plus GUI directory in a sub-directory called app.
Copy the SOUR.TFF from the APP directory to your local directory to view the stream results with the application customized stream report format.
Process Overview
This sour water stripping system removes hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and carbon dioxide from a water stream. The process objective is to reduce the sour gas concentration in the water outlet stream to less than 100 ppm. The process consists two towers and several heat exchangers. The first tower removes hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. The second tower removes ammonia from the water stream.
Model Approach
The automatic chemistry generation feature in Aspen Plus is used to identify all ionic species and reactions in this application. All property parameters are automatically retrieved from the Aspen Plus databanks.
Demonstrated Features
The primary Aspen Plus feature demonstrated is electrolytic distillation.
KeyWords
application
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do you model an atmospheric crude tower? | Solution: Example Files
This example is delivered with Aspen Plus as a file called cdu.bkp in the the Aspen Plus GUI directory in a sub-directory called app.
Process Overview
This application uses the Aspen Plus PetroFrac model to simulate an atmospheric crude tower. It uses the tray-sizing and tray-rating features to show how to determine the tower diameter for different sections. This example uses the CUTS-M Prop-Sets to report stream compositions in terms of the flow rate of pseudo components within 50 C temperature intervals. This application uses the PET_PROP table format file (TFF) on the ResultsSummary.Streams.Material sheet to display an abbreviated stream report without the full pseudo component report. To see the full composition report, select the PET_COMP format and specify StdVol flow basis on the Setup.Specifications.Global sheet. To see the distillation curves, select the PET_CURV format.
Demonstrated Applications
The Aspen Plus features demonstrated are:
1) PetroFrac model
2) Tray-sizing and Tray-rating
3) Tray property reporting
KeyWords
application
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do you model the separation of acetone and methanol using water to break the azeotrope? | Solution: Example Files
This example is delivered with Aspen Plus as the file solvent.bkp in the the Aspen Plus GUI directory in a sub-directory called app.
Process Overview
Solvents from various pharmaceutical processes are separated in a series of distillation columns. The solvent mixture includes acetone, methanol, and water. Acetone and methanol form an azeotrope.
Model Approach
To examine this azeotrope, select Binary from the Tools\Analysis\Property pulldown menu. Select the Txy analysis with acetone and methanol. Then select OK to run the analysis. Aspen Plus generates a temperature versus xy curve. You can also generate a yx plot by selecting y-x from the Plot pulldown menu on the Temperature vs xy results data form.
You can examine the residue curves map for this ternary mixture by selecting Residue from the Tools\Analysis\Property pulldown menu. The residue curve map shows that water can be used to break the acetone-methanol azeotrope. Since water can break the azeotrope and it is less volatile than either solvent, a water stream is fed to the first column above the solvent mix feed point. The objective is to have high purity acetone in the distillate of the first column. The first column bottom stream contains both methanol and water. The second column purifies the methanol solvent. This application uses a sensitivity study to examine the effect of changing composition of the solvent feed stream on the performance of the solvent recovery system.
KeyWords
application
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do you model gas drying with triethylene-glycol (TEG)? | Solution: Example Files
This example is delivered with Aspen Plus as the file as teg.bkp in the the Aspen Plus GUI directory in a sub-directory called app.
Process Overview
The absorption column removes water from the gas stream. TEG is the liquid desiccant.
Model Approach
A sensitivity study shows how the water content in the dry gas product changes with TEG flow rate. The Schwartzentruber-Renon equation-of-state (SR-POLAR) is used for this application because it is well suited for high-pressure non-ideal systems. See help on the Properties Specifications Global sheet for more information on this equation-of-state model. Binary interaction parameters are included in this application to accurately model the mixtures of components commonly found in gas processing. You can use this application as the basis for building other gas processing applications. You can also improve results by using new VLE data and regressing additional binary parameters. See glycols data package for updated parameters. This data package is delivered with Aspen Plus as the file as glycols.bkp in the the Aspen Plus GUI directory in a sub-directory called datapkg.
Demonstrated Features
The Aspen Plus features demonstrated are:
SR-POLAR equation of state - application in high pressure non-ideal system
Sensitivity analysis
KeyWords
application, glycol
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to use the Aspen Properties Excel Add-In to analyze azeotropic behavior? | Solution: This example illustrates how to use the Aspen Properties Excel Add-In to analyze azeotropic behavior. Azeotropic compositions and temperatures (at constant pressure) are calculated for binary and ternary systems. The temperature dependence of a binary azeotrope is also evaluated.
Knowledge of azeotropic behavior is essential for understanding the nature of an existing separation problem, as well as the overall synthesis and design of separation processes.
This example demonstrates the following features:
? Calculation of homogeneous azeotropic data (binary system)
? Calculation of heterogeneous azeotropic data (binary system)
? Determination of ternary azeotropic data
? Analysis of temperature dependence of the azeotropic composition in a binary system
The following components are available for the calculation:
Component Name
Component ID
Formula
WATER
WATER
H2O
ETHANOL
ETHANOL
C2H6O-2
BENZENE
BENZENE
C6H6
METHANOL
METHANOL
CH4O
ACETONE
ACETONE
C3H6O-1
CHLOROFORM
CHLRFORM
CHCL3
The NRTL property method is used to describe the physical properties of any pure components and mixtures.
What is it based on?
Azeotropic behavior is a phenomenon of vapor-liquid equilibrium. The thermodynamic framework for the vapor-liquid equilibrium and its implementation in Aspen Properties is reviewed first. At equilibrium, the fugacity of any fluid component (component index "i") is equal in the vapor and liquid phases:
(1)
For systems forming a vapor-liquid-liquid equilibrium (VLLE), the iso-fugacity criterion is extended to:
(2)
Vapor and liquid phase fugacities have to be expressed in different ways, when the property method is based upon an activity-coefficient model:
(3)
(4)
Where:
Thus, equation (1) can be rewritten as:
(5)
Often, vapor-liquid K-values are used to describe the phase equilibrium of a component:
(6)
The ratio between any two K-values is called relative volatility or separation factor:
(7)
To enable an easy and successful separation of a binary system into its pure components, the separation factor should take on values far from 1. If the separation factor is equal to 1, the compositions of the coexisting phases (vapor and liquid) are the same. In other words, the system exhibits an azeotropic point:
(8)
Hence, to locate azeotropic points in binary or higher systems, the following condition must be met:
(9)
In Excel, you can use the Goal Seek or Solver feature to reach the zero value of this objective function. An Aspen Properties file, AzeotropeAnalysis.aprbkp, was developed for this example. It contains the components, the property method (NRTL), and the required parameters to perform the phase equilibrium (flash) calculations.
How to Use It
Calculate Binary and Ternary Azeotropic Points The objective of this example is to calculate azeotropic data (compositions and temperatures) for some binary and ternary systems at constant pressure.
Use the Aspen Properties Flash functions to calculate vapor-liquid K-values and separation factors at constant pressure. Use the Goal Seek or the Solver feature in Excel to determine the azeotropic composition. Then, use the Flash function to obtain the temperature at the azeotropic composition.
Instructions:
1. Open the spreadsheet AzeotropeAnalysis.xls. (You may have to re-specify the path to the property package.)
AzeotropeAnalysis.xls contains a worksheets for each of the four subtasks we want to accomplish:
? Calculation of a homogeneous azeotropic point in a binary system
? Calculation of a heterogeneous azeotropic point in a binary system
? Estimation of a ternary azeotropic point
? Analysis of the azeotropic composition in a binary system as a function of temperature
2. Specify an initial liquid phase composition (x).
3. Use the PVFlash and PV3Flash functions, respectively, to calculate vapor phase compositions and equilibrium temperatures.
4. Use Goal Seek (Tools | Goal Seek) to determine the azeotropic composition. To do this, specify a function similar to equation (9) and vary the (independent) liquid phase mole fraction.
The ternary system has two independent mole fractions to be varied. Instead of Goal Seek, use the Solver Add-In (Tools | Solver) from Excel to solve for the azeotropic composition.
Binary Azeotropic Composition as a Function of Temperature The purpose of the last example is to define a calculation to determine the azeotropic composition as a function of temperature in the binary system ETHANOL-WATER. To define the calculation, perform the PVFlash functions calls at various pressures and determine the vapor phase compositions and corresponding temperatures. Again, use Goal Seek to reach the azeotropic conditions. Plot the azeotropic composition versus temperature to visualize the relationship between the two variables.
Solution
For a complete solution, please review the AzeotropeAnalysisSolution.xls file. The general results of the calculation include the azeotropic composition (in mole fractions) and the temperature of the azeotrope at the given pressure. For heterogeneous azeotropes, the compositions of the two coexisting liquid phases (xiL1 and xiL2) are also calculated.
Binary - Homogeneous
Binary - Heterogeneous
Ternary
Binary - f(T)
The following figure shows the azeotropic composition of the binary system WATER - ETHANOL as a function of temperature:
Azeotropic Composition (mole fraction ETHANOL) vs. Temperature
The analysis shows that with increasing temperature the water content of the azeotrope increases, too.
KeyWords
Aspen Properties Excel example
Aspen Properties Excel template
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do you analyze and understand the solubility of a complex drug, specifically the weak base fluconazole, as a function of temperature and pH? | Solution: Aspen Properties is able to describe the solubility of complex substances because it correctly accounts for fluid nonideality and aqueous chemistry. This capability is demonstrated by analyzing the aqueous solubility of fluconazole.
Solubility of drugs in solvents is an important part of the analysis and manufacture of drugs. This example is one of several Aspen Properties examples intended to help work processes in the pharmaceutical industry.
Fluconazole has the empirical formula C13H12F2N6O and a molecular weight of 306.27. It is sparingly soluble in water (about 5.5 mg/ml at 25A?C), but this solubility exhibits a sharp increase as the pH drops below about 4. The structure and various descriptions of fluconazole are shown below.
Chemical Names: a-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-a-(1-H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl) -1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ethanol, 2,4-difluoro-a, -a-bis (1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ylmethyl) benzyl alcohol, 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,3-bis (1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-propane-2-0l
Nonproprietary Name: Fluconazole
Proprietary Name: DiflucanEmpirical
Formula: C13H12F2N6O
Molecular Weight: 306.27
CAS Number: 86386-73-4
This solubility behavior must be modeled as a combination of physical solubility and basic dissociation in acidic solutions.
C13H12F2N6O(s)
<->
C13H12F2N6O
(1)
C13H12F2N6O + H2O
<->
C13H12F2N6OH+
+
OH-
(2)
Equation (1) describes the physical equilibrium between fluconazole in the solid state and fluconazole in solution. Equation (2) describes the dissociation of fluconazole to form a cation and the hydroxyl anion. These two equations can be combined with other chemical reactions to form an Aspen Properties "Chemistry" model. The combined Chemistry model provides the capability to predict the effect of pH on the solubility of fluconazole.
How To Use It
The following components are available for the calculation:
Component ID
Component Name
Molecular Weight
H2O
Water
18.02
NAOH
Sodium Hydroxide
40.00
HCL
Hydrogen Chloride
36.46
FLUCONZS
Fluconazole-solid
306.27
FLUCONZ+
Fluconazole-cation
307.28
NA+
Sodium cation
22.99
H3O+
Hydrated Proton
19.02
OH-
Hydroxide anion
17.01
CL-
Chloride anion
35.45
FLUCONZL
Fluconazole-solution
306.27
The example defines a mixture of water and fluconazole at a particular temperature and computes the fluconazole solubility (the sum of FLUCONZL and FLUCONZ+) and pH. The pH is reduced by adding incremental amounts of HCL and at each addition the solubility and pH are computed. This set of calculations is first done at a temperature of 4A?C and repeated at temperatures of 25A?C and 33A?C. The results, which are shown in the Figure 1, are in good agreement with the data presented by Dash and Elmquist (Dash, A. K. and Elmquist, W.F., "Fluconazole" in Analytical Profiles of Drug Substances and Excipients: Edited by H. Brittain, ed., Academic Press, San Diego, CA., Volume 27 (2001) pp. 67-113).
Figure 1 - Solubility of Fluconazole
The procedure shown may be used to calculate the solubility of fluconazole at other conditions.
What is it based on?
Each Aspen Properties Excel application obtains its content (components, property methods, model parameters, etc.) from an Aspen Properties file, in this case FluconazoleSolubility.aprbkp. FluconazoleSolubility.aprbkp provides a specialized model based upon the ElecNRTL model in Aspen Properties.
The following Chemistry reactions define the dissociation and precipitation reactions that occur in the aqueous fluconazole system:
1. Equilibrium: 2 H2O <-> H3O+ + OH-
2. Equilibrium: HCL + H2O <-> H3O+ + CL-
3. Equilibrium: FLUCONZL + H2O <-> FLUCONZ+ + OH-
4. Salt: FLUCONZS <-> FLUCONZL
5. Dissociation: NAOH -> NA+ + OH-
The equilibrium constants in the Chemistry reactions must be adjusted to obtain the model shown in Figure 1. The constants for Reactions 1 and 2 are kept at the standard values in Aspen properties and the dissociation of NaOH (Reaction 5) is treated as complete. First, the constants of Reaction 4 (equilibrium between solid and liquid fluconazole) are obtained from the solubility of fluconazole in pure water (pH ~ 7 in Figure 1) and then the constants of Reaction 3 (ionic dissociation of fluconazole) are adjusted to correlate the sharp rise in the fluconazole solubility at low pH. The regressed constants are:
3. Equilibrium: ln(K) = -5.3 - 8000.0/T
4. Salt: ln(K) = 4.457 - 3721.9/T
All other parameters have been kept at default values. The accuracy of the model can easily be improved if extensive experimental data are available.
The calculation procedure in the Excel example for each calculation (feed composition and temperature) is as follows:
1. The amounts of water and fluconazole are kept fixed, and the amount of HCl is initially very small and increased by a factor of 5 for each subsequent calculation. This is to ensure a fairly even variation of pH between calculations.
2. The mole fraction of the feed is calculated.
3. The Aspen Properties TPFlash function call calculates the composition of the liquid after the Chemistry reactions go to equilibrium. Note that only the composition of the liquid is calculated; the precipitated fluconazole (FLUCONZS) is ignored.
4. Aspen Properties MixtureProperties function calls calculate the array of activity coefficients and the molar volume of the liquid. These quantities are used to compute the pH and the fluconazole solubility in units of mg/ml.
More Ways to Use It
Why the Sharp Increase in Solubility at Low pH? The Aspen Properties correctly describes the electrolyte phenomena occurring in the solution. It is thus not only able to quantitatively describe the solubility as a function of temperature and pH, but also to explain why particular solubility effects occur. Figure 2 is a repeat of Figure 1, but now also reports the fraction of dissolved fluconazole that is ionized.
Figure 2 - Solubility of Fluconazole and Fraction Ionized
The right axis of Figure 2 is defined as:
It is clear that the sharp rise in solubility corresponds to an increase in the fraction of the dissolved fluconazole that is ionized. At high concentrations of HCl, Reaction 2 will increase the concentration of H3O+. Since the equilibrium of Reaction 1 (water dissociation) must be satisfied, the concentration of OH- decreases. The decreased concentration of OH-, in turn, causes an increase in the extent of Reaction 3, which results in high solubility of the fluconazole cation. This, of course, is a classic example of acid-base aqueous chemistry.
Training
The Excel model is ideal for non-expert users. Hence it provides a cost-effective way to give a wide group of technologists a "feel" for how acid-base chemistry influences the solubility of a weak base. The fluconazole example is typical of an important step in the production of a drug in the pharmaceutical industry.
Suggestions to Extend It
Additional Compounds
Additional solvents may be studied by adding them to the Aspen Properties file, FluconazoleSolubility.aprbkp. For example, Dash and Elmquist1 provide data for the solubility of fluconazole in solvents such as chloroform, acetone, methanol, ethanol and n-hexane.
KeyWords
Aspen Properties Excel example
Aspen Properties Excel template
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to use the Aspen Properties Excel Add-In to analyze solubility processes in drug research and production? | Solution: This example illustrates how to use the Aspen Properties Excel add-in to analyze solubility processes in drug research and production. The predicted and correlated solubility of aspirin in several solvents and solvent mixtures is first evaluated, and then the application to typical solubility processes is demonstrated.
The structure and various descriptions of aspirin are:
Solubility of drugs in solvents is an important part of the research and manufacture of drugs. This example, which is based upon a paper presented by Dow researchers (Frank, T. C.; Downey, J. R; Gupta, S. K., "Quickly Screen Solvents for Organic Solids," Chemical Engineering Progress, December 1999, page 41.), is one of several Aspen Properties examples intended to help work processes in the pharmaceutical industry that are related to solubility.
This example demonstrates the following features:
? Solid solubility prediction using UNIFAC
? Correlation of solid solubility using the NRTL model
? Analysis of solid solubility using Excel
? Prediction of solid solubility in solvent mixtures using Excel
? Partitioning of solutes in immiscible liquids using Excel
How to Use It
The following components are available for the calculation:
Component Name
Component ID
MW
ASPIRIN
ASPIRIN
180.16
ASPIRIN
ASPIRN-S
180.16
METHANOL
METHANOL
32.04
ACETONE
ACETONE
58.08
ETHANOL
ETHANOL
46.07
1,4-DIOXANE
1,4-DXNE
88.11
ACETIC-ACID
ACETACID
60.05
METHYL-ETHYL-KETONE
MEKETONE
72.11
DIACETONE-ALCOHOL
DACETOH
116.16
ISOPROPYL-ALCOHOL
ISOPRPNL
60.10
3-METHYL-1-BUTANOL
ISOAMLOH
88.15
2-ETHYLHEXANOL
2ETHHXNL
130.23
PROPANEDIOL-1,2
PROPGLCL
76.10
CHLOROFORM
CHLRFORM
119.38
DIETHYL-ETHER
DIETHETR
74.12
METHYL-BENZOATE
MTHBNZTE
136.15
ETHYL-BUTYRATE
ETHLBTRT
116.16
DIETHYL-MALEATE
DETHMLTE
172.18
DIETHYL-MALONATE
DETHMLOT
160.17
1,2-DIETHOXYETHANE
DETXETHN
118.18
1-OCTANOL
OCTANOL
130.23
TETRACHLOROETHYLENE
4CL-ETLN
165.83
1,2-DICHLOROETHANE
2CL-ETHN
98.96
1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE
3CL-ETHN
133.40
CYCLOHEXANE
CYCHEXNE
84.16
The first two components represent dissolved and solid (precipitated) aspirin. The other components are the solvents.
The Aspen Properties file contains several property methods including:
? IDEAL-Ideal liquid (Raoult's Law)
? UNIFAC-UNIFAC predictive method
? NRTL-NRTL correlative method
The results from the IDEAL and UNIFAC property methods are summarized here:
Component ID
Solubility, Wt% at 25A?C
Literature
UNIFAC
Ideal
METHANOL
33
32.5
31.6
ACETONE
29
23.3
20.3
ETHANOL
20
6.0
24.3
1,4-DXNE
19
18.5
14.4
ACETACID
12
24.4
19.8
MEKETONE
12
15.4
17.0
DACETOH
10
9.6
11.3
ISOPRPNL
10
4.5
19.8
ISOAMLOH
10
2.9
14.4
2ETHHXNL
10
1.8
10.2
PROPGLCL
9
2.1
16.3
CHLRFORM
6
14.5
11.0
DIETHETR
5
4.4
16.7
MTHBNZTE
4
5.5
9.8
ETHLBTRT
4
2.2
11.3
DETHMLTE
4
4.9
7.9
DETHMLOT
4
6.0
8.5
DETXETHN
4
4.7
11.1
OCTANOL
3
1.8
10.2
4CL-ETLN
3
1.1
8.2
2CL-ETHN
3
7.2
13.0
3CL-ETHN
0.5
4.9
10.0
CYCHEXNE
0.005
0.16
15.0
Figure 1 compares the results of the three property methods to experimental data.
Figure 1 - Evaluation of the Solubility of Aspirin in Various Solvents
The IDEAL method assumes that the solubility of aspirin, on a mole basis, is the same in all solvents; the slight variation in the weight-based solubility results from the difference in molecular weight among the various solvents.
The UNIFAC predictive method performs better than IDEAL, but there are several solvents for which it performs poorly. The two dashed lines identify the band for which the error in solubility is better than a factor of two, and the UNIFAC error for 12 of the 23 solvents exceed this cut-off value.
The experimental solubility of aspirin in cyclohexane is 0.005 weight%, while UNIFAC predicts a solubility of 0.16%, a factor 33 too high. The NRTL model provides a very good agreement with the data because it has been fitted. Fitting enables an evaluation of the predictive UNIFAC method for the solubility of aspirin in mixed solvents.
What is it based on?
The thermodynamic framework for the solid-liquid solubility and its implementation in Aspen Properties is reviewed first. At equilibrium, the fugacity of the precipitating component (aspirin in this case and represented as component "i") is equal in the solid and liquid phases.
(1)
(2)
In Eqn. (2), the liquid fugacity is written in the form used when the property method is based upon an activity-coefficient model.
The entropy of fusion provides a relation between the solid fugacity and the standard liquid fugacity (Lichtenthaler, R. N; Gomez de Azevedo, E; Prausnitz, J. M., "Molecular Thermodynamics of Fluid-Phase Equilibria," Prentice Hall PTR; 3rd edition (January 1999)):
(3)
Where:
Eqn. (3) may be made more accurate by including the effect of the heat capacity difference between the solid and liquid,2 but this not considered necessary for the this application.
The thermodynamic framework was implemented in Aspen Properties through the salt precipitation capability in the chemistry model. The equilibrium constant for salt precipitation (Ksp) is represented as a function of temperature:
(4)
Comparing Eqns. (3) and (4), we see that:
(5)
(6)
(7)
While the triple point of most substances is usually known, the entropy of fusion is often not available and must be estimated from correlations. Fortunately, many organic solutes of interest to industry are rigid, non-spherical molecules for which the entropy of fusion is approximately equal to 6.8 times the gas constant (Grant, D. J.; Higuchi, T., "Solubility Behavior of Organic Compounds," in "Techniques of Chemistry," XXI, Wiley, New York (1990)):
(8)
The approximation of Eqn. (8) was used in this example.
Once the chemistry model is defined, Aspen Properties predicts the solubility of the solid of interest in any solvent mixture as long as a model for the activity coefficient is available. Three activity-coefficient models are available:
IDEAL gi = 1
UNIFAC gi based upon the UNIFAC predictive method
NRTL gi based upon the NRTL model and the solute-solvent binary parameters fit to the solubility data
Two Aspen Properties files, AspirinSolubility.aprbkp and AspirinLLE.aprbkp, were developed for this example. The two files have the same parameters. AspirinSolubility.aprbkp has the chemistry model described above. In AspirinLLE.aprbk, which is intended to calculate liquid-liquid equilibrium, the chemistry model was not used. Two files are needed because the current Excel add-in does not specify the chemistry model, but rather uses the chemical model specified in the main Properties form. We hope to eliminate this limitation in Aspen Properties 12.1.
More Ways to Use It
Prediction of Solubility in Binary Solvents Figure 2 presents the solubility of aspirin in the acetone/1,4-dioxane binary solvent, where the solubility has been calculated by the NRTL correlative method and the UNIFAC predictive method.
Figure 2 - Aspirin Solubility in Acetone and 1,4-Dioxane
The UNIFAC method provides a reasonably accurate prediction of the aspirin solubility in both acetone and 1,4-dioxane and thus the prediction in the mixed solvent is also expected to be accurate.
Figure 3 presents the solubility of aspirin in the ethanol/isopropanol binary solvent.
Figure 3 - Aspirin Solubility in Ethanol and Isopropanol
Figure 3 demonstrates that the UNIFAC method will likely provide a poor prediction of the solubility of aspirin in the ethanol/isopropanol mixed solvent.
Calculations such as those presented in Figure 2 and Figure 3 are easy to do and provide you with a good feel for how solubility varies in mixed solvents and how accurate the UNIFAC method is likely to be.
Liquid-Liquid Distribution Coefficients The following segment of the Excel worksheet taken from the file AspirinLLE.xls presents the results of a typical liquid-liquid equilibrium calculation with the NRTL property method. The calculation represents the extraction of aspirin dissolved in cyclohexane with the acetone/ethanol solvent mixture.
The next Excel segment presents the results of the same calculation using the UNIFAC predictive method.
The two calculations provide an opportunity to analyze and understand a typical liquid-liquid purification step in pharmaceutical production as well as to access the predictive power of the UNIFAC predictive method. In this case the activity coefficient must not only predict the distribution of the solutes between the two liquid phases, but also the distribution coefficients of the solvents as well.
Incorporation in Environmental Programs The procedures and methods shown in this example can easily be incorporated into environmental software.
Suggestions to Extend It
Additional Solvents
Additional solvents may be added to the example by adding them to the Properties files, AspirinSolubility.aprbkp and AspirinLLE.aprbkp. The calculation and evaluation procedures will be similar to those presented in this example.
Process Calculations
You can easily extend the Excel examples to perform process calculations that describe solubility and extraction processes in drug research and commercial production.
KeyWords
Aspen Properties Excel example
Aspen Properties Excel template
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to use the Aspen Properties Excel Add-In to analyze evaporative losses from spills? | Solution: This example implements a method described by Peress (Peress, Jimmy, "Estimate Evaporative Losses from Spills," Chemical Engineering Progress, April 2003, page 32) to estimate the evaporation rate when an organic liquid is spilled on the ground. This method is rather simple, but is nevertheless useful to obtain an approximate evaporation rate and to identify high-priority hazards to the neighboring community.
The evaporative rate from a liquid pool depends on several factors, especially:
? Volatility (vapor pressure) of the spilled substance
? Surface area of the liquid pool
? Temperature of the surrounding area
? Wind speed
The working equation presented by Peress1 is:
Where:
A = Surface area of the liquid pool, ft2
MW = Molecular weight of the liquid
QR = Estimated evaporation rate, lb/min
R = Gas constant = 82.05 atm-cm3/gmol-K
T = Temperature, K
Psat = Vapor pressure of liquid, mmHg
u = Wind speed, m/s
How to Use It
The example lets you analyze several organic solvents. In order to run the calculation, you need to set the following four inputs in Excel, as shown below:
? Component ID of the organic (METHANOL)
? Temperature (25A?C)
? Wind speed (1.5 m/s)
? Surface area of liquid pool (3,372 ft2)
The Excel spreadsheet calculates the evaporative loss as 68.38 lb/min. You can modify any of the four input variables to obtain a new calculation.
What is it based on?
Each Aspen Properties Excel application obtains its content (components, property methods, model parameters, etc.) from an Aspen Properties file, in this case, EvaporativeLoss.aprbkp. EvaporativeLoss.aprbkp is a standard Aspen Properties file that uses the NRTL-RK property method. All of the model parameters are retained at default values; this example demonstrates the predictive capability of Aspen Properties. In addition, you can easily add new compounds to the Aspen Properties file.
The calculation procedure in the Excel example is as follows:
1. The Aspen Properties PureComponentConstant function call calculates the molecular weight of the chosen component.
2. The Aspen Properties VaporPressure function call calculates the vapor pressure.
3. The vapor pressure is returned in SI units (N/m2), and the Aspen Properties UnitsConversion function call converts the vapor pressure to the desired units (mmHg).
4. Peress's working equation calculates the evaporation rate.
More Ways to Use It
Comparison with Experimental Data
All predictive methods must first be evaluated against experimental data or established methods before they can be used with confidence. The following table and chart compare the results of the Peress model calculations from the EPA's ALOHA software (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "ALOHA Software Program (Version 5.2.3 - Summer 1999," NOAA, National Ocean Service, Office of Response and restoration at www.epa.gov/ceppo/cameo/aloha.htm (1999)).
Material
Exposed
Wind
Ambient
Evaporative Loss (lb/min)
Spilled
Area(ft2)
Speed(m/s)
Temp.(A?C)
Peress
ALOHA
Peress/
Model
Software
ALOHA
Methanol
3,372
1.5
25
68.4
37.8
1.8
Methanol
3,372
2.0
25
85.6
49.5
1.7
Methanol
3,372
1.5
20
53.2
28.7
1.9
Toluene
1,222
4.0
25
24.3
15.6
1.6
Toluene
1,222
1.5
25
11.3
7.5
1.5
Toluene
407
1.5
25
3.8
2.6
1.5
Acetone
500*
1.5
25
27.5
20.0
1.4
? Note that this area has been incorrectly reported as 3,285 ft2 in the CEP article. In an email correspondence, Mr. Peress confirmed that exposed area should be 500 ft2.
The simple model presented by Peress captures the trend of the evaporation rate, and the predictions are within a factor of two of the more sophisticated ALOHA program. It can therefore be used as a screening tool to identify high-priority hazards.
Training
The Excel model is ideal for non-expert users. Hence it provides a cost-effective way to give a wide group of technologists a "feel" for how the evaporation rate varies with compound, temperature, area of liquid pool, and wind speed.
Incorporation in Environmental Programs The procedures and methods shown in this example can easily be incorporated into environmental software.
Suggestions to Extend It
Additional Compounds
You can easily incorporate new compounds into the example by adding them to the Aspen Properties file, EvaporativeLoss.aprbkp. Since the key prediction from Aspen Properties is vapor pressure, and the vapor pressure of most compounds in the database is reliable, this model is applicable to a wide range of compounds.
Multicomponent Mixtures
Real spills are likely to contain multicomponent mixtures. Aspen Properties can also predict the vapor pressure (bubble point) and vapor-phase composition of multicomponent liquids, and, in fact, this is a strength of the product.
However, you will have to develop models for the vaporization rate of multicomponent mixtures and also the composition of the remaining liquid, which changes since the higher volatility materials evaporate faster. A reasonable assumption may be to apply the working equation to each component in the mixture by using its partial pressure as the vapor pressure. Although such a model would be easy to develop, it would have to be validated against experimental data or an established model.
KeyWords
Aspen Properties Excel example
Aspen Properties Excel template
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do you use Aspen Properties and Excel to calculate the pressure of a fixed-volume system, for example those found in batch reactors?
Batch reactors are charged with a certain amount of material. The chemical composition of the mixture and the temperature changes as the reaction proceeds. The pressure responds to these changes in a complex way since the phase equilibrium changes with temperature and overall composition. | Solution: This example demonstrates how you can use the Aspen Properties Excel add-in to predict and understand these pressure changes and thus design an experiment for safe operation.
How To Use It
The example uses a ternary mixture of water, ammonia and nitrogen as a representative reactor charge. In order to run the calculation, you need to set the following three inputs in Excel, as shown below:
? Mass charge of water, ammonia and nitrogen (500 gms, 350 gms and 1 gm, respectively)
? Temperature (80C)
? Pressure (10 bar)
The Excel spreadsheet calculates the vapor, liquid and total volumes of the system after phase equilibrium is achieved. In particular, the total volume is 1,388.2 cc.
In the real reactor, the total volume is fixed and the pressure is calculated. The "Goal Seek" tool in Excel accomplishes this by varying the pressure to obtain a total volume of 2,000 cc. The updated Excel result is:
As you can see, the pressure in the reactor would be 7.54 bars if the total volume were 2,000 cc. The various volumes are also depicted graphically using a bar chart:
The bar chart is useful since it provides a clear picture of the relative volumes occupied by the vapor and liquid phases. In this case, the liquid phase occupies 56.7% of the reactor volume.
What is it based on?
Each Aspen Properties Excel application obtains its content (components, property methods, model parameters, etc.) from an Aspen Properties file, in this case, ReactorPressure.aprbkp. ReactorPressure.aprbkp is a standard Aspen Properties file that uses the NRTL-RK property method. All the model parameters are retained at default values. The excel workbook is named ReactorPressure.xls. Two worksheets ("Calculation-1" and "Calculation-2") set up the calculation is different ways. The calculation procedure in the "Calculation-1" is as follows:
1. The mass charges are first converted to mole charges and then to mole fractions.
2. The Aspen Properties TPFlash function call calculates the vapor and liquid mole fractions and the vapor fraction.
3. The Aspen Properties MixtureProperties function call calculates the vapor and liquid molar volumes. These values are then used to compute the vapor and liquid volumes.
4. The total volume is the sum of the vapor and liquid volumes.
The procedure in "Calculation-2" is similar to that in "Calculation-1," except that the TVFlash is used in Step 2. The TVFlash is more effective for narrow-boiling mixtures (e.g., those with small amounts of water since the TPFlash cannot study regions in the small two-phase region.
More Ways to Use It
Study Pressure Variation with Charge
The following plot presents the pressure in the 2,000 cc-reactor as a function of the water charge. The ammonia and nitrogen amounts are kept at 350 and 1 gm, respectively, and the temperature is fixed at 80C.
The chart has been produced using both the "Calculation-1" and "Calculation-2" worksheets "Calculation-1" works well for water charge above about 400 gms. Below this value, the use of "Goal Seek" to find the pressure that gives a total volume of 2,000 cc becomes unstable since the all-vapor solution gives a very volume, the all-liquid solution gives a lower-than-target volume and the vapor fraction is very sensitive to the pressure. The use of "Goal Seek" to find the vapor fraction that gives the target volume of 2,000 cc is a stable calculation. This demonstrates the niche values of the TPFlash and TVFlash function calls.
The variation of pressure with water charge is rich and interesting. The pressure first decreases with increased water charge. This occurs because water acts as a solvent, and increased water removes ammonia from the vapor phase. However, addition of water above the amount where the minimum in pressure occurs (about 900 gms.) will cause a sharp increase in pressure, which occurs because the vapor fraction becomes very small and added water results in added incompressible liquid. At this condition, small amounts of added water, or equivalently a small increase in temperature, will cause a big increase in pressure and possible rupture of the reactor. This kind of a study is thus useful for safety analysis, and to understand how several effects occur together to produce complex responses in laboratory and process equipment.
Training
The Excel model is ideal for non-expert users. Therefore, it provides a cost-effective way to give a wide group of technologists a "feel" for how the reactor pressure varies with charge and temperature.
Suggestions to Extend It
Additional Compounds
You can easily incorporate new compounds into the example by adding them to the Aspen Properties file, ReactorPressure.aprbkp. You must ensure that NRTL parameters for the water-organic are available, otherwise the equilibrium predictions will not be accurate. It the model parameters are not available, predictive methods like UNIFAC may be considered.
Reactive Studies
You can extend the Excel application to include the effects of a reaction by incorporating a reaction extent and its effect on the temperature of the reaction system.
KeyWords
Aspen Properties Excel example
Aspen Properties Excel template
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Study of a Gas-Gas Heat Exchanger in Ammonia Synthesis | Solution: This application demonstrates the use of Excel Aspen Properties to analyze a counter-current heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is taken from an ammonia plant where the reactor effluent, following steam generation, is used to heat the incoming gas. The user specifies the incoming flow rates, the extent of conversion, the stream pressures and the temperatures, except the hot stream exit temperature.
Description of Streams
S1 is the Reactor feed from compressor.
S2 is the Reactor feed after heat exchange.
S3 is the Reactor effluent after steam heat exchanger.
S4 is the Reactor effluent after heat exchange.
Usage Instructions
1. Set flow rates of S1.
2. Set Extent of N2 conversion.
3. Set pressures of all 4 streams.
4. Set temperatures of streams: S1, S2, and S3.
5. Property model to be used.
Spreadsheet will calculate:
1. Temperature of S4 by enthalpy balance
2. Temperature profile along HX by discretizing the enthalpy
Outline of Calculation Procedure
1. PTFlash calculations to determine the enthalpies of the streams except the exit hot stream.
2. Calcuation of the hot stream exit enthalpy by enthalpy balance.
3. PHFlash calculation on the hot stream exit to determine its temperature.
4. Discretization of the enthalpy along the counter-current heat exchanger.
5. PHFlash calculations to determine the temperature profiles along the heat exchanger.
Results and Benefits
1. Study the temperature profile along the heat exchanger.
2. Understand where and under what conditions the heat exchanger pinch occurs.
3. Understand the effect of a change in property model, e.g., RK-SOAVE to PENG-ROB.
4. Help new engineers understand the behavior of cooling curves in heat exchangers.
KeyWords
Aspen Properties Excel example
Aspen Properties Excel template
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Do we have an example of a CAPE OPEN standalone property package? | Solution: The implementation of the code inside the CAPE OPEN components, such as how to develop a thermodynamic package, is not the responsibility of AspenTech. What we support is the usage (i.e. calling) the CAPE OPEN components of Aspen Plus.
Attached to this Solution is material developed to illustrate the system using a trivial example of a standalone property package. Hopefully, these will help users to understand the CAPE OPEN standard and how it works in practice.
See the readme.txt file in the zip for instructions on how to run the example.
See the Aspen Plus User Models
Keywords: None
References: Manual, Chapter 27 for more information.
KeyWords
cape open |
Problem Statement: How can we compute the actual critical point of a mixture? | Solution: This sort of calculation only makes sense with a property method based on an equation of state (EOS). It has to be said that ordinary cubic equations of state such as the popular RK-SOAVE and PENG-ROB are not particularly accurate near critical, besides being limited to hydrocarbons and light gases only.
In practice the critical region is non-analytic and requires the use of critical exponents - and this type of calculation is not available in Aspen out-of-the-box. At best the critical point of mixture is only an estimate since all EOS's are have problems converging in the critical region.
If you have gases such as hydrogen or nitrogen present in the mixture there will be multiple critical points with unusual looking P-T curves (see Heidemann and Khalil[1], Michelsen and Heidemann[2], Michelsen[3] , Peng and Robinson[4] papers on calculation of critical points).
Finally it is important to make sure that the EOS is using actual critical properties for the components in the simulation. Property methods such as PENG-ROB have fitted parameters (TCPR and PCPR) different from the actual literature critical temperature (TC) and critical pressure (PC), which better represent behavior at 'normal' conditions. If the curves are to go through the actual pure component critical points, TCPR should be set equal to the actual critical temperature and PCPR to the actual critical pressure.
Having said that, the critical temperature and pressure of a mixture can be computed in the following ways:
A. Entering the desired mixture as a stream on a flowsheet and to generate a PT-envelope for the stream from the Tools/Analysis/Stream analysis menu. For many mixtures, stream analysis will give a good picture of the critical conditions. It is not possible to get a fully continuous curve up to the critical point, since at the critical point the EOS (being cubic) fails.
For some mixtures, the PT envelope will stop at some distance from the critical point. If there is a real need to calculate critical conditions, the user can try one or more of the following methods.
1. Run the analysis with additional vapor fractions instead of just using the dew and bubble curves. Vapor fractions of 0.2 and 0.8 may calculate out closer to the critical, and even if they do not, they will help show where the critical point must lie. (The curves for every vapor fraction will intersect at the critical point.)
2. Instead of using Analysis, set up a Flash2 block and vary pressure with a sensitivity study. Set the flash tolerance tight (1E-7 is good) and be sure that each flash starts from the previous results. Near the critical point, make the Pressure intervals small.
3. Make a table of the properties PBUB and PDEW as a function of temperature. They are calculated by a different algorithm, and often will go up to and even beyond the critical point. (Note that the critical point is the point where the two pressures are equal. Any values calculated above the true critical point have no physical significance.)
B. Using the built-in Prop-set PCMX, TCMX. These give simple mole fraction averages ("pseudo-critical") for the critical properties of a mixture.
The meaning of the pseudo critical pressure and the difference with the actual critical pressure of a binary mixture is shown using an example cited in: API Technical Data Book - Petroleum Refining Volume I 4th edition page 4-3 originally from W. B. Kay "Liquid-Vapor Phase Equilibrium Relations in the Ethane-n-Heptane Systems" Ind. Eng. Chem. 30 459 (1938)
The vapor pressure curves of pure ethane and pure n-heptane are compared with the P-T-envelopes of three different binary mixtures of the same component. The plot of the PT-envelopes and the critical loci has been reproduced with the attached Aspen Plus 11.1 Backup file, using the PR-BM property method.
The attached screen capture (Kay.JPG) shows the plot showing all the curves obtained. Two additional lines have been added:
? The green line is a curved line joining the critical points of the different mixtures with the critical points of the pure components - it is called the Critical locus
? The orange line is a straight line joining the critical points of the mixtures and is called the pseudo-critical locus.
C. Using the correlations in API Technical Data Book - Petroleum Refining Volume I 4th edition page 4-25 sgg. This is an empirical method (the Kay method) and is limited to hydrocarbons and advised only for binary mixtures.
These have been implemented as a user defined property set PCMXNT using a User Property Set Property Subroutine (attached file crit.f). The results for the mixture that is considered are far better (see screenshot pcmxnt.jpg) than the built-in pseudo critical pressure PCMX.
The attached FORTRAN subroutine has to be compiled for use in Aspen Plus. See Aspen Plus User Models
Keywords: None
References: Guide page 1-4 on how to do that. You need to use a compatible FORTRAN compiler.
For users without a Fortran compiler, a DLL has been compiled and linked; for instructions on how to use it, see
"How to use external FORTRAN subroutines on a PC without a FORTRAN compiler?" http://support.aspentech.com/webteamcgi/ |
Problem Statement: Is there an example of how to use Heuristic Method Calculations for Steady-State Detection? | Solution: Use the attached spreadsheet to help determine appropriate values for the Light Filter, Heavy Filter, Tolerance and Trend Tolerance for a plant data tag.
KeyWords:
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do you access existing prop-set properties in order to calculate another user prop-set property? For example, is it possbile to calculate the Wobbe index which equals the following:
Wobbe Index = NETHEATV/(SGRELAIR)^0.5
NETHEATV = Net heating value of a stream (available as the prop-set property QVALNET)
SGRELAIR = Ratio of density of the stream at standard conditions to density of air at standard conditions.
How can QVALNET or QVALGRS be accessed in the user subroutine? | Solution: The CALUPP property monitor is used to calculate the prop-set properties listed in Chapter 4 of the Physical Property Data
Keywords: None
References: Manual. See |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to model and isomer separation such as that of para and meta-xylene? | Solution: As long as both molecules are in the databanks or have different properties, it should be possible to separate them.
Attached are two examples of a reactive distillation para and metaxylenes separation using tert-buylebenzene as a reactive solvent:
The first uses an equilibrium reaction (xylene11.bkp)
The second has the reaction conversion is specified (xylene-conv11.bkp)
KeyWords
xylene
M-XYLENE
P-XYLENE
TERT-BUTYLBENZENE
P-TERT-BUTYL-ETHYLBENZENE
BENZENE
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Is there a way I can model a single stage batch separation (flash) in Aspen Plus? | Solution: The way model a batch flash, without the use of Aspen Dynamics, is to employ the batch reactor model in Aspen Plus, RBatch. RBatch can be used in Aspen Plus without a reaction set by unchecking the Reactive system box on the Setup\Reactions sheet. In such a case it becomes simply a batch flash block.
See the attached file for an example on how to set up the simulation.
KeyWords
batch, flash, kettle
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Attached is a simulation of 85 wt.% benzene and 15wt.% anthracene. Both liquids are heated up from 25 deg C at 1 bar to 220 deg C. Benzene has a boiling point of 80.09 deg C, and anthracene has a boiling point of 342.03 deg C. Therefore, shouldn't the vapor fraction at 220 deg C be approximately 0.85? In the simulation attached, however, the mass vapor fraction is 0.954. It just seems strange that a mixture containing a high-boiler like anthracene would end up with an appreciable amount of this material in the vapor phase at 220 deg C. How can this be explained? | Solution: The amounts of the coexisting phases and the vapor fraction of a binary mixture can be derived from its phase equilibrium (T-xy) diagram.
The attached figure shows the T-xy diagram of benzene-anthracene at 1 bar. The red dot represents the overall or initial composition. It is located in the 2-phase region.
At 220 deg C, we can determine the phase compositions (x, y) from the intersections with the bubble point curve (T-x) and the dew point curve (T-y), respectively.
The application of the lever arm rule:
Ml b
---- = ---
Mv a
...gives the masses of the coexisting phases:
a
Mv = ----- * M
a + b
b
Ml = ----- * M
a + b
Assuming a total mass M = 1, Mv and Ml represent the vapor and liquid fractions of the system. For example, the vapor fraction is:
13.75
Mv = ------------ = 0.9548
13.75 + 0.65
This value is in agreement with the Aspen Plus prediction (see variable MASSVFRA in stream report of the attached simulation).
Symbols:
M = Total mass of the system
Mv = Mass of vapor phase
Ml = Mass of liquid phase
y = vapor phase composition
x = liquid phase composition
a,b = graphical constructs (dimension: length)
KeyWords
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How does one pass a parameter variable from excel/VBA to a calculator block? | Solution: Please see the attached example file. There are a few basic steps.
First, define the variables for the calculator block (in Aspen Plus) and declare the variable type as PARAMETER, and be sure to enter an initial value at the bottom of the form . It is a good idea to set the Information Flow setting to EXPORT variable: this will prevent other calculator blocks from trying to overwrite this value if they are sequenced improperly at run time. Both of these features are illustrated in the attached GIF file.
Second, add the following VBA code to modify the variable:
go_Simulation.Tree.Data.Elements("Flowsheeting Options").Calculator. _
Elements("C-1").Input.FVN_INIT_VAL.IDPARM.Value = MyValue
where: MyValue would be some value the user input on the spreadsheet.
To use the example:
Download the spreadsheet and Aspen Plus Bkp files to your hard drive.
Open the spreadsheet.
Click on the OPEN SIMULATION command button and navigate to open the attached bkp file.
Enter a new value for the multiplier factor (> 0).
Click on the RUN SIMULATION button and watch the results update in the yellow highlighted boxes.
The attached bkp file has one Multipler block on product stream 10 (M2) and another Multiplier block on product stream 9 (M1). The factor for each multiplier block is changed from the spreadsheet by a VBA link to the PARAMETER 1 in the calculator block C-1. Calculator block GASMFP reads PARAMETER 1 and sets the factor in the Multiplier block M2 equal to PARAMETER 1. You can change the multiplier factor in the spreadsheet, and then you should see the product streasm M9 and M10 multiplied by the same factor.
KeyWords
parameter, activeX, calculator block, COM, VBA, Visual Basic, VB
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to determine density model parameters for an electrolyte system | Solution: Density data are supplied in the form of temperature, pressure, composition, and the density or molar volume of the liquid mixture. These data may be used to determine the parameters for the Clarke density model. For more details on this model see the Physical Properties Methods and Models reference manual.
Because the Clarke density model parameters (VLCLK) may be determined with as few as two pooints, density data should be at the lowest and highest electrolyte concentrations available. The density or molar volume of the pure electrolyte (not in aqueous solution) should be used as a data point if available. Data should be for the anydrous form of the electrolye.
This example shows the use of density data to determine the VLCLK parameters for the Clarke Density Model. The data is on the apparent species basis of NaCl mass percent.
Wt. Percent NaCl
Density (g/cc)
1
1.00707
2
1.01112
4
1.0253
8
1.05412
12
1.08364
16
1.11401
20
1.14533
24
1.17776
26
1.19443
100
2.165
Data Source:
Perry, Robert H., ed., Chemical Engineers' Handbook, Fifth Edition, 1973, p. 3-78.
*CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 56th Edition, 1975-1976, p. B-150.
Notes
Parameters obtained from data regression will be most accurate over the range of conditions covered in the data paragraphs of the data regression run. Thus, a good strategy is to regress a wide range of data to get parameters which are valid for many simulation conditions. If this is not possible, it is best to find data which come as close to expected simulation conditions.
The Britt-Luecke generalized least squares algorithm sometimes has difficulty handling the nonideal liquid phase, especially when data quality is questionable. This can be seen when the Deming steps of the data regression are completed normally and then a mathematical error is produced during the Britt-Luecke steps as seen in the Control Panel messages. If the error cannot be corrected by eliminating an error in the input or providing better initial guesses for the parameters being determined, it may be necessary to specify the Algorithm as Deming on the Regression \ Input \ Algorithm sheet.
KeyWords
drs
elec
nacl
vlclk
vca
aca
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can I model a Steam Ejector in Aspen Plus? | Solution: Steam ejectors can be modeled at various levels of detail. In general they are designed to pull a certain level of vacuum for a certain range of gas rates. A typical application is to maintain a set pressure at the top of a vacuum distillation column or a set of columns. Modeling them predictively from first principles is difficult and probably unnecessary.
If one assumes that they will always be able to achieve the target level of vacuum then one sets the pressure at the appropriate points in the model (typically RADFRAC blocks). The vent gas would then be taken to a HEATER or MIXER block representing the ejector. One would also have a steam flow with appropriate T and P) going into the MIXER block.
If one cannot assume that the target vacuum level will always be achieved then it gets a whole lot more complicated. In this case, you would need to guess a pressure for, say, the top or tops of the columns, calculate the vent gas flow resulting, apply some formula to see if that pressure can be achieved by the ejector for that vapor rate and iterate until you find a solution (i.e. the achievable vacuum pressure and the steam consumption).
There is a discussion of ejectors in Perry's 6th Edition which explains one of the underlying principles involved. There is an example problem on page 6-32 which is the basis of this example.
The attached Excel spreadsheet was used to determine the equations required to formulate entrainment ratio (pounds of gas to pounds of steam) and the maximum compression ratio (outlet pressure to vacuum pressure).
The data points were taken from Perrys 6th Edition, page 6-33 for a fixed area ratio (motive gas nozzle to venturi throat) equal to 15. The file is called eject.xls
The attached Aspen Plus input file uses these equations (using a Calculator block with in-line Fortran) to compute the entrainment and the outlet pressure from a single stage ejector. The file is called eject.inp.
The steps to model the steam ejector are as follows:
1. Use the Excel spreadsheet to determine the most appropriate trend line that will fit the data points taken from the graph "Design curves for optimum single stage ejectors" (DeFrate and Hoerl, Chem. Eng. Prog,. 55, Symp. Ser. 21,46) Perry's Handbook.)
2. Using the Aspen Plus Calculator block, write the equations generated from item 1 above. The MIXER model in Aspen Plus is used to keep track of pressures of the STEAM, VESSEL and OUTLET.
Note: A Fortran compiler is NOT needed to run this example.
KeyWords
Steam Ejector, Fortran, Heater
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How is it possible to regress WATSOL parameters?
How do you format the data to be regressed?
The only type of data that can be entered to regress WATSOL paramters is WATSOL data. What is WATSOL data? | Solution: WATSOL data on the Properties\Data form is water solubility, i.e. the mole fraction of water in the organic (liquid 1) phase of a two liquid phase system of water and the organic component.
In the attached file, Data for the water solubility of benzene in water was added. Then, the WATSOL parameter was regressed. An Analysis table was added as a check.
Note that the WATSOL parameter is used only when using Free-Water (a pure water phase) with a Water Solubility Method (solu-water) of 0, 1, or 2 (2 is used in this example). For more information on Free-Water and the Water Solubility method see Solution 102879.
KeyWords
freewater
free-water
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I get the Aspen Plus 11.1 Getting Started Guides in Japanese? | Solution: The Aspen Plus 11.1 Getting Started Guides are now available in the Documentation area of the online Technical Support Center.
Japanese fonts need to be installed to view the files properly.
The following Getting Started Guides are available:
Aspen Plus Getting Started Building and Running a Process Models
Aspen Plus Getting Started Modeling Processes with Electrolytes
Aspen Plus Getting Started Modeling Petroleum Processes
Aspen Plus Getting Started Modeling Processes with Solids
Aspen Plus Getting Started Customizing Unit Operation Models
Aspen Plus Getting Started Using Equation Oriented Modeling
KeyWords:
Getting Started Guide
Japanese
Keywords: None
References: None |
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