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Problem Statement: How do I set short load approval in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: A Short Load is a shipment of fuel that is less than the full carrying capacity of a transport. The Short Load Approval check box determines whether or not a customer is authorized to receive less than a full load of product. A short load will only be calculated for a customer if the Short Load Approval box is checked and the customer requires a short load to meet delivery window requirements. During loadsizing, if there are several transport sizes at a terminal and the short loads option is off, Aspen Fleet Optimizer won't create short loads on a specific transport. It will still size shipments from the largest full shipment transport to the smallest full shipment transport available at the terminal.
Keywords: stations, customer setup, short loads, loadsize
References: None
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Problem Statement: How is orders ahead used in the customer set up of Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: The Orders Ahead value determines the number of shipments that will be forecasted for a customer each time Aspen Fleet Optimizer forecasts that customer. For example, if the Orders Ahead value is set at six for a specific customer, every time Aspen Fleet Optimizer forecasts for that customer, six shipments into the future will be generated. Any shipments that are in the replenishment planner that are locked or dispatched are not included in the orders ahead. The Orders Ahead default value is six. The maximum value is fifty.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What does match order do in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: In Customer Setup, the Match Order status indicates that entry shipments for the customer will be matched to transport compartments when assigned by the Resource Scheduling Optimization. This variable is used to insure that the Resource Scheduling Optimization matches shipments placed by customers to the compartments of a transport. Match Order is used by full shipments only. If there is a split shipment and one station has match order checked and the other station does not, match order will be enforced.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What does the load lock flag do inside of Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: The Load Lock flag (check box) at the top right of the screen allows the user to manually identify expected deliveries as already delivered shipments. With this box checked, the user can click on an expected delivery using the right side mouse button and mark it delivered. Aspen Fleet Optimizer will automatically add the delivery to the inventory. If this flag is not selected, Aspen Fleet Optimizer will automatically calculate what shipments should have been marked delivered. When forecasting by inventory only, Aspen Fleet Optimizer may require the user to use Load Lock to identify delivered shipments if Aspen Fleet Optimizer is unable to judge what was delivered. The sales test flag enables and disables Aspen Fleet Optimizer's testing of sales information for out of range fluctuations.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How does Aspen Fleet Optimizer calculate the optimal shipment?
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Solution: Once the runout point is calculated, Aspen Fleet Optimizer determines how much product is left over in the other tanks. Knowing the amount of left over product at the runout point enables Aspen Fleet Optimizer to generate the optimal shipment that will balance inventory levels to reflect sales rates at the runout point. The optimal shipment will be the perfect shipment accurate to the gallon/liter that will restore proportionality in the tanks.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What does the full diesel shipment flag do in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: The Full Diesel Shipments Flag define the compartment combinations for shipping different products on the same shipment. When the user identifies the location of a double wall, the software automatically creates Diesel Compartment Groups. A check box next to the Diesel Compartment Group identifies that group as a viable shipping option for diesel fuel. When the box is not checked, the specified group of compartments is off limits to diesel fuel. The same applies for the full diesel check box.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: When I try to add a piece of equipment from the COMPONENTS to my Process, the system will not let me: why?
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Solution: Equipment from the COMPONENTS needs to be added to the Project View, not the Process View. The screenshot below shows the Process View. You can not add equipment from the COMPONENTS form in the view:
Click on the Process View tab. You can then add equipment from the COMPONENTS form:
Keywords: equipment, Process View, Project View, Components, COMPONENTS
References: None
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Problem Statement: How to solve the error: stream name not found in the stream.dat file
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Solution: Component pipe lines can be sized using data from streams available in the project. The reference to the streams is done automatically in APEA by reading the connectivity contained in the process data loaded. We can also add manually that reference in the component volumetric model under pipe - item details.
The streams.dat file gets populated with data when you run a project evaluation. If we try to make a reference to a stream in the same step before the file has the data populated, the program will throw an error. This usually happens when we create a new stream or load process data. Run a project evaluation first and then select the stream as necessary. This will solve the error.
The engine will use the stream data to size the line, you will see a difference in the results. It will not update the UI with the new line size. A line size is needed to start the calculations. If you want to have consistency with the UI and results, change the line diameter to what the engine calculates.
Keywords: Error, Stream Name, Stream.dat
References: None
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Problem Statement: How can I customize the investment parameters to be used in the integrated version Aspen Plus / Hysys and Aspen Process Economic Analyzer (APEA)?
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Solution: In Aspen Plus and Hysys integrated economic evaluation, the investment parameters e.g Interest rate, Desired ROR, Plant Overhead, G & A expense, Depreciation method, etc are available based on the default US_IP template.
These parameters can be customized as desired in the standalone APEA via two options:
1) create and save a new template with the required investment options in the standalone APEA.
2) modify an existing template and save for use.
Then in Aspen Plus / Hysys before evaluating the process model go to the Economic Ribbon Tab / Cost options / Browse and select the new or modified template to be used for the costing.
Refer to Knowledge baseSolution 136895 for guidelines on creating /modifying templates
Keywords: investment parameters, APEA, Aspen Plus, Hysys
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is meant by controlling product in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: Within a given shipment, there can be more than one product to be delivered. A controlling product is a product that will run out first in a given shipment. In the detail window, the row that shows the controlling product of the shipment will be highlighted in red. This feature works only with a forecasted customer. With this feature, the user can pay close attention to the controlling product and manage deliveries more efficiently.
Keywords: Runout, retain, delivery window, load
References: None
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Problem Statement: How many products can I set up in a terminal in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: In the Terminal Products section of the Terminal Setup dialog box you can define up to 200 products available at a given terminal. Products must be assigned to every terminal to define product source options for the RSO. Include all products that the terminal carries regardless of whether they are currently available. Lifting Restrictions allow you to specify periods of time when transports are restricted from loading selected products at the terminal. Use lifting restrictions; for example, to prohibit transports from loading product X, between 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is size group used for in the truck set up of Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: The Size Group is a way to rank transports based on overall size. Aspen Fleet Optimizer uses this restricting value to ensure that the right shipments are placed on the transports in the Size Group corresponding to the desired load size. Transports of drastically different sizes should be assigned to different Size Groups. Transports of a common general size should be assigned to the same Size Group. Aspen Fleet Optimizer enables the user to define up to nine different Size Group classifications.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: When should I use override in data quality manager in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: The Override Button allows the user to override the exception and accept the sales and inventory figures as they are. Before overriding an exception, Aspen Fleet Optimizer displays a dialog box with a message reminding the user to confirm all delivered shipments and update the delivery shift of any shipments coming later than expected. The user should cancel an override if either task has not been completed.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What does the breakupoverflowsplits setting in Aspen Fleet Optimizer do?
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Solution: This setting will enable and disable the automatic separation of split shipments that are placed into the overflow list by Aspen Fleet Optimizer. The default setting for this is 0 so splits placed in over flow will not be torn apart. If the setting is changed to 1 then any split orders in overflow after the optimization will be broken up into single orders. This setting is based on dispatcher preference. AspenTech recommends that you have the system automatically separate split shipments to preserve the original order. It is also often easier to resolve the cause of a problem shipment when the split shipment is separated.
Keywords: settings,.ini, split load, split
References: None
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Problem Statement: What does MinSplitPercentage in Aspen Fleet Optimizer do?
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Solution: Using the MinSplitPercentage setting, you can also specify the minimum percentage that a transport can carry in the event of a split shipment. This value is specified in the [Winopt] section of the Customize.ini and indicates the minimum percentage to which a transport must be loaded in order to deliver to a customer. The default value is 50%. If the system cannot find a split partner that will meet this percentage then the system will send a “short load”.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How can I set a minimum percentage for a split load in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: Using the MinSplitPercentage setting, you can also specify the minimum percentage that a transport can carry in the event of a split shipment. This value is specified in the winopt section of the Customize.ini and indicates the minimum percentage to which a transport must be loaded in order to deliver to a customer. The default value is 50%. For example, MinSplitPercentage = 50 Total transport size = 10,000 units. If the MinSplitPercentage is set at 50%, Fleet Optimizer only creates split shipments that fill a transport at least 50% (5,000 units).
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How are clouds used in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: Once the customers are assigned clusters, the user can assign these clusters to clouds. A cloud is a group of clusters that Aspen Fleet Optimizer can choose from to create a split shipment. Aspen Fleet Optimizer will first try to create a split shipment from one particular cluster. If that proves unsuccessful, Aspen Fleet Optimizer will search the next cluster in the cloud. Aspen Fleet Optimizer tries to pair two customers from the same cluster if one of the customers warrants a split shipment. Aspen Fleet Optimizer will only create a split shipment if both customers' delivery windows can be met. However, there are times when a split shipment cannot be created between any two customers in a cluster. To facilitate split pairing, the user can designate several clusters that can be grouped together in a cloud. If Aspen Fleet Optimizer cannot find a pair of customers from any cluster within a cloud, no split shipment will be created.
Keywords: split load, side products, short load
References: None
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Problem Statement: What are pre and post trip used for in truck set up of Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: The Post-Trip Time variable defines a period of time in hours at the end of a driving shift that a transport is being billed, but not driven. The Post-Trip time is used to identify inspection periods or preparation time at the end of the driving shift. The Pre-Trip Time variable defines a period of time in hours at the beginning of a driving shift that a transport is being billed, but not driven. The Pre-Trip time is used to identify inspection periods or preparation time prior to the beginning of the driving shift.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How can I release a customer from credit hold in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: Select the Credit Hold option in the Customer Credit area of the Customer Credit Utility dialog box. Then unselect the Credit Hold option in the Customer Credit area of the Customer Credit Utility dialog box. Any previously released orders will be held again unless the order is dispatched or the delivery is already in progress.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is Aspen Fleet Optimizer Order Manager Web?
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Solution: Aspen Fleet Optimizer Order Manager – Web (Order Manager – Web), formerly known as Aspen Web Fulfillment Management, allows petroleum organizations to leverage real-time, mission-critical information across the supply chain. It is the ultimate petroleum supply chain Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool, uniting a company with its customers, suppliers, vendors and shippers to minimize operating costs and maximize profits. Implemented in combination with Fleet Optimizer, it offers CRM convenience, cost savings and operation efficiency through secure, web-based information access and data exchange. Customers use Order Manager - Web to add modify, and maintain orders as well as sales and inventory data using the World Wide Web in a secure real-time environment. It provides security by operating behind your corporate firewall using SSL and digital certificates. Fuels Management, Fleet Operations, and Credit Management are the three applications that use the Order Manager - Web server and unite a company with its customers, suppliers, vendors, and shippers to minimize operating costs and maximize profits.
Keywords: Web, Orders, Orders
References: None
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Problem Statement: After evaluating a project with Activated Economic Analysis, certain equipment has no associated cost and reports an Evaluation Error (Out of Range).
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Solution: When an Activated Economic Analysis is performed, Aspen Plus / Aspen HYSYS models are mapped to models in Aspen Process Economic Analyzer (APEA) which generate cost estimates based on various parameters from the process simulator models and streams. APEA models have limits of applicability. If the data for an Aspen Plus / Aspen HYSYS model lies outside those limits, costing will not be performed for that model.
Please refer to the Aspen ICARUS
Keywords: Activated Economic, APEA models, evaluation error, out of range, mapping, limits of applicability
References: Guide for additional information about the APEA models and their limits of applicability.
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Problem Statement: How can I insure a certain delivery window for split loads in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: This setting allows you to set up the minimum delivery window (in hours) that the system will respect when creating split deliveries. If the delivery window for an order is less than the minSplitDeliveryWindow value, the system may not consider the order as a split load candidate.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is the full diesel shipment flag used for in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: The Full Diesel Shipments Flag define the compartment combinations for shipping different products on the same shipment. When the user identifies the location of a double wall, the software automatically creates Diesel Compartment Groups. A check box next to the Diesel Compartment Group identifies that group as a viable shipping option for diesel fuel. When the box is not checked, the specified group of compartments is off limits to diesel fuel. The same applies for the full diesel check box.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: Where does Aspen Icarus get its raw material pricing data?
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Solution: Our prices come from various locations:
Different vendors which includes parts, plate material for raw material costs from such companies like:
Chicago Bridge and Crane
Pipe vendors, and fabricators
Koch, Gould's Pumps, Honeywell Control Systems
Aspen ICARUS Product users
We get bids from our users and then review the costs.
We build models out of components you see in the world.
We look at the invoice prices to see if we invoice correctly.
We look at a lot of different quotes and fine tune (evaluate) the model to those costs we receive.
Please feel free to provide data to Technical Support if you feel that there is a need for new models or more fully developed models to improve our systems! Our Development staff is happy to incorporate any data that you have and work with your organization to get what you need into our products!
Keywords:
References: None
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Problem Statement: All DMCplus column set entires have been translated to German and are available for loading to the PCWS (version 6.01 and 2004.1 are supported).
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Solution: See the attached zip files for step by step instructions and the German versions of the dmcplusentrydata.xml files.
Keywords: German Web Viewer
DMCplus
Production Control Web Server
PCWS
DMC
Web Viewer
Web Server
References: None
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Problem Statement: How to split a stream in Aspen ICARUS Process Evaluator
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Solution: Here's one way to split a stream.
Add a small connection block (which will be a miscellaneous quoted item - we will refer to as MQI-1), and reconnect the sink of the stream you are wanting to split to MQI-1. Now copy MQI-1, and paste it into the project (I'll refer to this new item as MQI-2). From the PFD, you will insert MQI-2 onto your stream (using the Edit Connectivity button) upstream of MQI-1. MQI-2 will act as our 'splitter'. You can delete MQI-1. We now have an inlet to the splitter, and an outlet. You can double click on the outlet and modify the stream flowrate. Here you will cut this flowrate in half. You will then create a new stream, an additional outlet stream, with the same flowrate, and making sure that the primary fluid component is the same as the other stream.
Keywords: stream
References: None
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Problem Statement: The PCWS provides for only 2 simultaneous detailed trends of controller or tester tags. This
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Solution: provides html files which the user can configure to show multiple detiled trends.Solution
Download the attached Readme and acoview zip files. Follow the explanations to customize the html files to your specific PCWS setup.
After customizing you start the overall files by opening the MainPage.html in your
web browser.
NOTES: The default refresh rate may have to be decreased in order to accomodate network traffic. In addition, should a new controllers or testers be added to the PCWS, this may affect the numbering of the trends to be displayed.
A C utility is also provided to quickly generate html code, please check this out.
This program will automatically generate the Multi Trend html files and runs from the command line (DOS window):
Example: acoplot 10.36.16.111 1 3 2 (acoplot servername controllerindex numberofindependents numberofdependents)
Keywords: DMCplus
SmartStep
Production Control Web Server
DMC
PCWS
References: None
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Problem Statement: How will other additions impact the data quality manager process for an account in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: Other Additions is a way to add or subtract product to help in the reconciliation of an exception. These values include unexpected or undocumented additional shipments of product to the customer. When a retain occurs or a customer receives an unexpected shipment, the quantities of product dropped must be logged here. This value may also be negative if product has been removed from a tank through means other than sales.
Keywords: DQM, retain, override, loads, accept
References: None
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Problem Statement: Can split loads partners be viewed automatically in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: In Resource Scheduling Optimization (RSO), split orders that have been assigned to a transport are displayed as a tree structure which is initially in a collapsed state. The expand split orders feature allows the default display for split orders to be either collapsed or expanded based on the Resource Scheduling Optimization (RSO) option Expand Split Orders.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is status used for in the customer set up of Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: The Status gives the user the ability to set the customer to active, inactive, and data build. Active customers are those who can receive replenishments. Inactive customers are those who cannot receive replenishments. The data build allows for inactive customers to import sales and inventory data in order to populate the trends accurately for up to 4 weeks. This could be a great benefit for newly added customers to forecast their sales and inventory since they have no history record to forecast from.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is the skip button used for in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: The Skip Button allows the user to skip an exception and move on to the next one. If an exception is skipped, it will keep showing up in Data Quality Manager until it is reconciled. Once an exception is reconciled and the user press the accept button, and the user are testing by terminal or zone, the next customer in that group will appear. If the user is testing by customer individually, the user will have to call up another customer via the toolbar or the menu.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How does Aspen Fleet Optimizer handle product allocation?
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Solution: During optimization, the RSO maintains a running total of the product volumes needed to fill all of the orders. Orders are scheduled from the supplier (Best Buy modeling must be established) based on their prioritization level until the combined volume of product needed to fill the orders exceeds the Max Volume Per Shift value for that supplier. If a supplier cannot fill an order, the order can be sourced from the next best supplier. If all of the other suppliers cannot fill the order, the order moves to the Overflow Shipments list. If a terminal allocation is exceeded during optimization, a Terminal Allocation Report can be run from within RSO. This report lists all deliveries that exceeded the allocation limit. To manually override the terminal allocation warning on a problem shipment, rerun the report to see an updated report.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What tools are available to replace the old Aspen Fleet Optimizer IVR/VRU phone system?
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Solution: Aspen Fleet Optimizer Order Manager Web is an optional application that is fully integrated with Fleet Optimizer. It gives customers a Web-based interface for order entry and order management as well as for entering delivery confirmation and sales and inventory data. The web interface has all of the features and functions of the old voice system (IVR/VRU).
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is the Fleet Operation of Aspen Fleet Optimizer Web used for?
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Solution: The Fleet Operations application is designed for use by personnel at a corporate headquarters. It allows personnel to effectively manage terminal resources such as transports and drivers.
Keywords: Web, drives, trucks
References: None
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Problem Statement: How can I modify the Operators per Shift in my Project Summary report, under Operating and Labor Maintenance Costs?
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Solution: Operators per Shift in the Project Summary report cannot be modify. Analyzer calculates this number based in the amount of equipment is installed in your project. However, there is a way to make an estimation using Decision Analyzer.
Go to Run Menu -> Decision Analyzer.
Check the “Develop Detailed Process Economics” checkbox and click Ok,
Your MS Excel will open two files. Under Specs.xls, look for the ProjectInput sheet and scroll down until you find 10 Operating Cost. In column K Select: B or b for Base, R or r for Revise.
Place the number of Operators you will like to estimate and, look at the results in the next columns:
Keywords: Operators per Shift, Operating and Labor Maintenance Cost, Project Summary Report
References: None
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Problem Statement: How can I use event forecasting in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: The Event Forecaster allows you to plan for an upcoming event by creating an event plan based upon the historical demand data for a given day of the week to use as the forecast for the upcoming event. For example, if Monday, March 3rd, is a bank holiday and you anticipate sales on March 3rd to be the same as any typical Sunday, you can use the historical demand data for Sundays as your demand data for March 3rd. The system then creates Holiday/Storm records in the database for each customer, which causes the demand planner to generate forecasts for each customer. This process makes sales on Monday, March 3rd, equivalent to the sales on a typical Sunday.
Keywords: storm, planner, forecasting
References: None
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Problem Statement: I am using Aspen Process Economics Analyzer (APEA). Whenever I click the P&ID button in the component sheet, I am unable to make any modifications.
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Solution: This feature is only available in Aspen Capital Cost Estimator (ACCE). You must create or edit P&ID's in ACCE. You can then load the customized P&ID in Aspen Process Economic Analyzer.
Keywords: P&ID, Custom, Edit
References: None
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Problem Statement: How to create relative streams in Aspen Process Economic Analyzer.
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Solution: Relative streams are used for minimizing effort while adding new streams which have similar properties to a pre-existing stream. If you want to create a relative stream then following is the procedure that needs to be followed:
1. Go to the Project Basis View tab
2. Double click on streams to open up the Develop Stream window
3. Click on the Create tab
4. Select the 'Relative' radio button and select the stream you want as the base stream. Click on the Create button.
5. Name the new stream.
6. Once the new stream is opened it should list out the base stream that was selected earlier.
Keywords: relative stream, properties
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is the load lock flag used for in Data Quality Manager in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: The Load Lock flag at the top right of the screen allows the user to manually identify expected deliveries as already delivered shipments. With this box checked, the user can click on an expected delivery using the right side mouse button and mark it delivered. Aspen Fleet Optimizer will automatically add the delivery to the inventory. If this flag is not selected, Aspen Fleet Optimizer will automatically calculate what shipments should have been marked delivered. When forecasting by inventory only, Aspen Fleet Optimizer may require the user to use Load Lock to identify delivered shipments if Aspen Fleet Optimizer is unable to judge what was delivered.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How do I set up a Aspen Fleet Optimizer debug machine to help diagnose software crashes?
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Solution: Aspen Fleet Optimizer V7.3 has a special symbols that can be extremely useful in tracking down abnormal ends or crashes. The symbols build can be provided to customers if they run into problems that the normal error logs can not track down and help solve. The symbols build is installed the exact same way as the regular Aspen Fleet Optimizer software is installed. The symbols build will also require some additional Microsoft software to be installed. Please review the attachment to thisSolution for detailed set up information.Â
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: After evaluating an imported project in Aspen Process Economic Analyzer the reported Raw Materials Cost shows as 0, why?
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Solution: Even after importing a simulation to Aspen Process Economic Analyzer (APEA), it is still necessary to configure the Investment Analysis of the project. Here we can set up the streams from the simulation that will correspond to the Raw Materials on the project so APEA can identify them and evaluate their costs. If no raw material has been created on this section, APEA will not be able to identify which simulation streams correspond to raw material streams.
In the Project Basis View section locate the Investment Analysis folder and open the Raw Material Specifications section under it.
Change the option to Create and enter a name for the raw material. Specify the corresponding phase and basis for the stream.
Click on the Create button and select the simulation stream that should be identified as this Raw Material. Before finishing, the Unit Cost for the material must be specified. Once done click on OK.
Repeat this process with every simulation stream that should be identified as a Raw Material stream in APEA. Once finished, re-evaluate the project and review the reports. The Raw Materials Cost should no longer be 0.
Keywords: Raw Materials Cost, Zero, investment Analysis.
References: None
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Problem Statement: Is Aspen Fleet Optimizer V7.3 compatible with a 64 bit environment?
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Solution: Aspen Fleet Optimizer was tested in the following 64 bit environments.
Windows 7 Professional SP1 (x64)
Windows 8 Professional (x64)
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 (x64)
Windows Server 2012 (x64)
The application was installed and tested in all of the above environments and performed as expected. We did not see any issuse in the Aspen Fleet Optimizer performance or functionality in the above environments.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How does the hold forecast function in Data Quality Manager of Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: Users have the ability to click hold forecast inside the Data Quality Manager when processing exceptions. If this radio dial is clicked on then the system will not forecast the accounts in Data Quality Manager. The data will instead wait to be processed by the Aspen Forecast service. The advantage of this is that the CPU power of the dispatcher’s machine is not used to forecast the account. This allows the dispatcher to more quickly get to and correct the next exception. With the forecaster running in the back ground on a dedicated machine constantly looking for accounts to process this can greatly speed up the DQM process.Â
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How does Aspen Fleet Optimizer set delivery windows for manual orders?
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Solution: Delivery window is the time span between the retain and runout points for a product at a customer location. The procedure of manually entering the retain and runout time is called “Setting the Delivery Windows.” For all order-entry customers, you can manually adjust the delivery window to determine when a shipment is delivered, in order to satisfy customer delivery requests. Because Fleet Optimizer does not manage the inventories of order-entry customers, it cannot calculate delivery windows for these customers. By changing either the delivery date or shift, the retain and runout time automatically change to match modifications within the Replenishment Planner and RSO. Once orders are entered into the replenishment planner, the primary planning for the manual customers is complete.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: Does Economic Evaluator use the same labor rate for Shop vs Field Piping?
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Solution: The Shop uses a fixed internal rate and the field piping can be adjusted through the craft wages. Adjusting the piping craft wages does not affect the internal rate used for the shop calculations.
Keywords:
References: None
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Problem Statement: Why is Total Installed Cost (TIC) lower than Total Capital Cost?
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Solution: The Total Installed Cost (TIC) is the cost of installing the equipment (including the bare equipment cost). The Total Capital Cost is the total cost of the plant which includes the direct and indirect costs like TIC, Contracts, Contingencies, Overheads and Other (Design, Engg. and Procurement etc.) costs. The rest of these costs could be found in the Investment Analysis Excel Report which can be generated as shown in the screenshots below. In the excel report if you move to the Project Summary tab and scroll down, you can see the contribution of each cost type (shown in second screenshot). To summarize, TIC will always be less than Total Capital Cost.
Keywords: Total Installed Cost (TIC), Investment Analysis Report, Project Capital Summary
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is default transport used for in the customer set up screen of Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: The Default Transport refers to the value that is used to define the transport configuration that will be used to match forecasted shipments for a particular customer. The first choice will be load size, which tells Aspen Fleet Optimizer that all the transports from the source terminal will be available for delivery to that customer and that every shipment will be sized to meet a specified delivery window criteria. If a specific transport is selected all shipments will be matched exclusively to that transport.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: Enhancement to Integrated Sizing and Costing in V7.2
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Solution: In V7.2, a correction was made that allows users to make changes to a simulation (after the creation of a costing case) and run the simulation without having to create a new costing scenario every time to realize the simulation changes. In addition, previously entered equipment mappings and specifications (for example, Materials of construction, TEMA Type, and so on) are retained.
After making changes and converging the simulation, the updated data is reloaded into costing by pressing the Load button. During the mapping step, the ?Last Mapping? option is selected by default in the mapping dialog and permits mapping changes via the ?Map Preview? dialog. During this cycle, pressing the size button performs a ?Resize? (instead of size) since the equipment components are already sized during the initial run. This enables persistence of any component specific data previously entered in the equipment grid forms during initial run. As an example, if Materials of Construction (MOC) for the mapped components are specified during the initial run and the simulation is subsequently changed, the initial MOC specifications are maintained when the data is reloaded. This pertains to newly created simulation and costing projects using APEA V7.2.
If mapping changes are made after reloading all the previously defined data for the unit op(s) is lost.
Keywords: Integrated Sizing and Costing
References: None
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Problem Statement: What settings should I look at to try to encourage or discourage split loads?
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Solution: Settings to consider for Split Deliveries
Maximum Day Supply and Days Supply Threshold
From the Customer Set Up Screen you can make changes to the Maximum Days Supply and the Days Supply Threshold settings. These settings are accessed by going under the View\Carrying Cost ? Menu
These Settings are described in the On-Line Documentation under the Carrying Cost Optimization Section and the Days Supply Threshold Section (excerpted here).
Maximum Days Supply is simply the maximum number of days of supply of any product that you would want to have on hand (after the current delivery). Set this value to a reasonable value considering the size of the tanks at the site and the transportation compartment options.
?The Days Supply Threshold allows you to specify the maximum number of days (threshold) supply difference between the controlling product and a non-controlling product and does not allow deliveries that exceed the threshold. That is, the software does not schedule a delivery of product that makes a customer?s days supply difference greater than the Days Supply Threshold. This is done to maintain proportionality between your various products.
Aspen Retail calculates the days supply threshold after the delivery by subtracting the largest day supply by product from the smallest day supply by product and compares it to the DaySupplyThreshHold setting.
Example 1:
DaySupplyThreshHold=5
Unleaded
Mid-grade
Premium
Current days supply
3
4
6
Projected days supply after delivery
10
12
14
In this example, the software subtracts the largest day supply (Premium) 14 ? from the smallest day supply (Unleaded) 10 to equal 4 (14-10).
The software then compares the 4 days supply to the DaySupplyThreshHold of 5. Since the days supply after the delivery ? 4 ? is within the DaySupplyThreshHold of 5 days, the delivery is within the tolerance and acceptable.
Example 2:
DaySupplyThreshHold=5
Unleaded
Mid-grade
Premium
Current days supply
3
4
6
Projected days supply after delivery
10
12
17
In this example, the software subtracts the largest day supply ? (Premium) 17 ? from the smallest day supply (Unleaded) 10 to equal 7 (17-10).
The software then compares the 7 days supply to the DaySupplyThreshHold of 5. Since the days supply after the delivery ? 7 ? is not within the DaySupplyThreshHold set at 5 days, the delivery is not acceptable and the system tries to either send a different product mix that satisfies the 5 day threshold or tries to create a split load with another customer to adhere to the DaySupplyThreshHold set at 5.
The software also ensures that a delivery is made for a side product; that is, the controlling product on that particular shipment that needs a delivery but would have normally broken the DaySupplyThreshHold.
Example 3:
DaySupplyThreshHold=5
Unleaded
Mid-grade
Premium
Current days supply
3
4
1
Projected days supply after delivery
10
12
17
In this case, the system subtracts the largest day supply (Premium) ? 17 ? from the smallest day supply (Unleaded) ? 10 ? to equal 7.
Since the Premium product is the controlling product (the product that runs out first), the software realizes that it is possible to break the DaySupplyThreshHold=5 rule in order to avoid a runout situation even though the days supply after the delivery ? 7 ? is not within the days supply threshold set at 5 days.
The default for DaySupplyThreshHold is 0.0 or off. This default value is set high so that the proportionality logic is only started in the instances where the client?s business case warrants such logic. ?
Basically, to encourage split deliveries, these values should be set such that as little side product is being brought out to the facilities as possible. Keep in mind the average minimum compartment sizes on the trucks so feasible deliveries are still possible. These settings are considered ?soft? restrictions in that the Optimizer will attempt to follow them when it is possible, but if necessary they can and will be broken to ensure required product is delivered.
ShortVsSplit
In the Customize.ini there is a setting entitled ShortVsSplit. The Default for this setting is 60 minutes. In summary, what this setting does is give the optimizer a quick average distance to consider when evaluating whether or not to consider a split delivery when making a first pass determination at Short or Split for a customer who cannot handle a full load with at least a 5 hour delivery window. Reducing this value will encourage more split deliveries as the default time (during the first pass of the optimization) between all split partners will be considered smaller ? therefore more splits will happen then if this value is large.
MinSplitDeliveryWindow
This setting in the Customize.ini is the minimum Delivery Window overlap the Optimizer will be looking for when creating split deliveries. If this minimum cannot be achieved, a split delivery will not be created and the customers will either receive short deliveries or full deliveries with potentially large quantities of side product ? depending on their sales proportionality.
Keywords: Split Shipments, Carrying Cost, Days Supply Threshold, Maximum Days Supply
References: None
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Problem Statement: What do the letters under Installation Bulks in the list view mean?
|
Solution: The letters P,I, or E under Installation bulks are referring to what type of installation bulk has been added or changed by the user.
For example, if you see Ps, it means you have modified the Pipe- Item Details information under Options. P is when you have modified or add information under Pipe-General Specs. D is for Duct, C is for Civil, I is for Instrumentation and so on.
Once user has made any changes, there will be asterisk (*) sign beside the Option.
Keywords: Installation details, list view
References: None
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Problem Statement: Why are the .ini files in Aspen Fleet Optimizer Version 7.3 store in the database?
|
Solution: Storing the configuration parameters in the Fleet Optimizer database provides several benefits over the files used in earlier release. The only file that must be deployed to user accounts is a simplified Customize.ini file containing only the connection information. User configurations can be updated centrally on either an individual or group basis. Configuration changes can be performed with a single database command. User configurations can also be checked centrally using a simple database query.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: Which Aspen Process Economic Analyzer Standard Basis should I use for my project?
|
Solution: The Standard Basis you should use depends upon two things; whether you are the Owner Company or the Contract Engineering Company, and the size of the project.
Owner Company use standard basis:
Plant Engineer if the project is very small (less than $100,000)
Plant Owner if the the project is small ($100,000 to $1,000,000)
Owner Head Office if the project is moderate ($1,000,000 to $10,000,000)
Contract Engineering Company use standard basis:
Local Contractor if the project is small to moderate ( less than $1,000,000)
National Contractor if the project is moderate ($1,000,000 to $50,000,000)
International Contractor if the project is large (any size)
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How can I reset customers in Aspen Fleet Optimizer after an abnormal end?
|
Solution: Reset Utility enables the user to reset the customer's in process flag. The in process flag helps avoid concurrency problems. The reset utility can be used to reset the in process flag for a group, zone, terminal, or customer. During the normal course of business user should not need to use the rest utility. If the program does come to an abnormal end then the reset utility might be needed to free the customer from being labeled as in process.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How does split cost farthest work in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
|
Solution: If a transport is marked as Split Distance Farthest, Fleet Optimizer calculates the cost of the split delivery using a volume distance chart to calculate the cost of the longest trip time among all customers in a split load. If a transport is not marked as Split Distance Farthest, Fleet Optimizer calculates the cost for each member of the split load, using a volume distance chart. Individual costs are then combined to generate the total cost of the delivery. Split Distance Farthest cost is calculated as follows for split shipment delivery to two customers.
Keywords: Split loads, cost, short load
References: None
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Problem Statement: How can the number of orders in overflow in Aspen Fleet Optimizer be reduced?
|
Solution: In version 9 of Aspen Fleet Optimizer additional post-optimization processing steps have been added to Resource Scheduling Optimizer to reduce the occurrence of must-go (and optionally can-go) orders in the overflow list. When enabled, selected orders in overflow will be tested against transports in either the current terminal or the entire group and placed on the transport if there is a match. This post-processing is not guaranteed to result in an optimal placement of such orders, but is intended to reduce or eliminate manual dispatching for orders which the optimizer does not place on a transport.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: In North America, how does Aspen Process Economic Analyzer calculate freight and taxes?
|
Solution: In North America, the freight is 4% of materials and taxes are 6.25%.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How are sales constants used in the customer set up of Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
|
Solution: The Sales Constant Percentages represent the percentage of total daily sales generated during each of the four quadrants of the business day. The Sales Constant Percentages are broken up into four quadrants of the business day consisting of morning, afternoon, evening, and graveyard percentages. For example, a customer site sells 5000 gallons per day. 1000 of those gallons are sold between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to noon, during the morning. The morning percentage is therefore 20% (1000 / 5000). Quadrant Sales Percentages play a critical role in producing an accurate forecast for a customer. The Quadrant Sales Percentages help Aspen Fleet Optimizer calculate a more accurate sales curve throughout the day. It is imperative that the Quadrant Sales Percentages values be entered during setup. The morning quadrant start time is based on the entered value of the sales start time.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What are the advantages of using Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
|
Solution: Fuels marketing organizations require dispatching of product to customers through the optimal use of terminals, transports, and drivers, including the ability to automatically dispatch customer deliveries. This generates benefits from accurate demand management, terminal cost reduction, the ability to deliver, and the ability to respond to changing conditions. The effective management of product scheduling and delivery supports fuels marketing companies by making them more competitive, profitable, and able to take advantage of opportunities. The ability to evaluate system functions and make adjustments to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of operations is vital to fuels marketing operations as well as making adjustments to meet business goals. Operations reporting give fuels marketing organizations the ability to evaluate and improve daily functioning at terminals. Management reports are also needed for high-level evaluations and long-term planning. In turn, these analyses can align and improve business practices, as well as supporting logistics improvements, operational integration, and the maximization of margins.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is the unit of the Unit Cost field under Project Basis View | Investment Analysis | Raw Material Specifications?
|
Solution: In the Raw Material Specification form, if a user specifies an existing stream name in the Process Stream field, the flowrate of that stream will be used and the user does not have to enter a value in the Rate field. If NONE is selected for Process Stream field, then the user needs to manually specify the flowrate and the unit of the rate. The last field in this form is the unit cost of the stream and its unit is $/lb if lb/h is used for the flow rate. The same applies to product stream specifications.
Keywords: Raw material unit cost
References: None
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Problem Statement: What settings affect the data that is accepted in data quality manager?
|
Solution: Sales Range Testing
Once the product has an identity, the Sales Range Testing function must be configured. Sales
Range Testing is an information verification process performed by Fleet Optimizer during data reconciliation. Before new sales data is incorporated into a new forecast, the data is checked to see if it lies within an acceptable range of what Fleet Optimizer expects that customer to sell. If the sales lie outside this acceptable range, an exception is generated. The Sales Range Testing can be used to test sales only, inventory only or both sales and inventory. The user will determine which sales range test option Fleet Optimizer will invoke. The Sales Test Range Percentage is the threshold value of sales fluctuation permitted between the reported sales and the expected sales before Fleet Optimizer detects it as an exception to the norm. The range value is represented by a percentage, commonly set at 35%. Enter a percentage for the Sales Test Range. For example, if the Sales Test Range is set at 35% and the reported sales deviate by more than 35% of the expected sales, Fleet Optimizer will generate an exception.
Sales Test Override
The Sales Test Override value is used in inventory only forecasting. If sales of this product remain within the override percentage from expected sales for that day, the user will not be required to manually confirm delivered shipments in the data quality manager. The Sales Test Override value must always be less than or equal to the sales test range value.
Sales Range Test (Volume)
Fleet Optimizer permits the user to specify a volume threshold for sales variances that will generate a sales exception if sales vary beyond the specified amount. This feature reduces the number of Sales Out of Range exceptions alerts due to high sales volatility of a slower moving product. This is in addition to the Sales Test Range Percentage.
Inventory Test Range (Percentage)
The Inventory Test Range percentage is the value of permissible inventory fluctuation without generating an exception.
Inventory Test Range (Gallons and Liters)
The Inventory Test Range (Gallons/Liters) is the threshold value of inventory fluctuation in gallons or liters allowed without generating an exception. In order for the entered inventory to cause an exception, the inventory figures must fail both the inventory test range percentage and gallon/liters threshold.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: Is it possible to restrict loading at a terminal for certain times of day?
|
Solution: In order to configure product loading times at a terminal, you must first make sure the Group the terminal belongs to is set up as Best Buy. This is done by looking at the Group Setup screen and verifying the Best Buy check-box is selected.
Once this is verified, go into the terminal and look in the Terminal Products Box on the bottom of the screen. If you highlight the desired product and click the Restrict button to the left of the box, you are given a Time Restriction screen similar to the Time Restriction screen in the Customer Restriction window.
Select the days of the week and the hours of the day you would like to restrict loading of this particular product. Once you are done, select OK and modify each additional product you would like to configure with restrictions.
Once this is done, all trucks will be restricted from loading whichever restricted products between the times specified.
Keywords: Product Loading Restrictions
References: None
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Problem Statement: Do I still need to use the Aspen Plus templates if I want to import and Aspen Plus simulation into Aspen Process Economic Analyzer?
|
Solution: No. Starting with Aspen Plus V7.0 the required property sets are automatically calculated for Aspen Process Economic Analyzer. If you are running V7.0 or later you do not need to use the Aspen Process Economic Analyzer templates to get Aspen Plus to calculate the properties that Aspen Process Economic Analyzer needs; it is done for you automatically.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: I have generated a template with the design basis and cost basis of my project, can I load it into HYSYS / Aspen Plus?
|
Solution: Yes, you can. If you go to the Economics Tab and click on Cost Options, a window with a Template path browser will appear, letting you select the Template with your cost basis.
In case you are not sure which path is your template saved at, in the Aspen Process Economic Analyzer application; go to the Templates tab and select the template you want to use. A path to the save location will show up in the properties window.
Keywords: Template, Activated Economics, Path.
References: None
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Problem Statement: I have loaded a template I created in Aspen Process Economic Analyzer to my simulation, but the results I get, do not reflect the design and cost basis I specified in it. Why is that and how can I fix it?
|
Solution: One of the reasons why this happens and the most common one, is because the project has been already evaluated.
If you evaluated your project and then loaded the template file, the results from a re-evaluation won’t reflect the basis specified in the template because a scenario has been created, and the simulator works under that scenario.
For the template to take effect, delete the current scenario and reevaluate your project. The results will now reflect your template basis.
Keywords: Template, Activated Economics, Scenario, Delete.
References: None
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Problem Statement: How do I use Interactive Sizing in Activated Economics? When I try using the Sizing button from the Equipment tab on the Equipment Summary grid, I get an error.
|
Solution: The Sizing needs to be used from the type of equipment tab where the details for the equipment are located. For example, if you have a reactor, and go to the reactor tab and highlight the column that has the piece of equipment you would like to resize, you can click the resize button and it will prompt you for the information. But if you try the same thing when at the equipment tab, and click the row that contains the reactor, the Sizing button will not work and give you an error. This must be done from the tab that has the detailed information for the piece of equipment to be Sized. In this case, the Reactor Tab.
Keywords: Size, Sizing, Equipment Tab, Equipment, Tab
References: None
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Problem Statement: Why could I have large error logs and high CPU usage after upgrading the environment on which I run Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
|
Solution: This behavior has been observed if the SQL Native Client ODBC driver is used instead of a supported ODBC driver.
The recommended and supported ODBC driver for all current Retail and Fleet Optimizer releases is the SQL Server client that is provided with the operating system. This is what is documented in our Installation and Configuration manual.
The SQL Native Client is not supported, in general you need to use the standard SQL Server client.
SQL Server Native Client 10.0 is SNAC, shipped with SQL Server 2008. SQL Server is MDAC, shipped with Windows. SQL Native Client has stricter error checking than MDAC, which means that some applications that do not conform strictly to the ODBC and OLE DB specifications may behave differently. If the application does not take advantage of SNAC ODBC then it is recommended to use MDAC ODBC. In the case of AFO, we should always use MDAC.
Keywords: database, oracle, configuration
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is the Warning Manager used for in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
|
Solution: The Warnings Manager stores warning messages that are created during the operation of Fleet Optimizer. Warnings information can be sorted and printed to help dispatchers address scheduling problems, data problems, or user errors. This function is used to help ensure data quality prior to planning, scheduling, and dispatching.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: Why isn't steam showing up in my utilities when I use a Steam Turbine?
|
Solution: Not all of the Economic Evaluation components work with utilities. The Steam Turbine is one that does not. In general you can check on the sizing form and if utiltiy streams appear as an option then they can be used with the component.
Keywords:
References: None
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Problem Statement: How does short shipment affect the size of loads in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
|
Solution: The Short Shipment at Value is a time variable that designates the threshold window length, in hours, which will initiate load sizing for a customer's shipment. Load sizing is a function of Aspen Fleet Optimizer that will decrease the payload of a shipment to attain a desired delivery window. The delivery window is the period of time between the retain point and the runout point. For example, a Short Shipment at Value of 5 instructs Aspen Fleet Optimizer to begin load sizing only if the largest available shipment for the customer creates a delivery window shorter than 5 hours. If the largest available shipment for a customer is 10,000 gallons (40,000 liters) and this shipment is defined with a 6-hour window, then Aspen Fleet Optimizer will forecast the customer's shipments on the full size shipment. If the 10,000-gallon shipment is defined with a 4-hour delivery window, then Aspen Fleet Optimizer will initiate load sizing to find a smaller shipment. Load Sizing will only occur if the short loads approval check box is selected.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: Why, when evaluating my compressor that I imported from Aspen Plus, do I get an error message during evaluation saying the outlet pressure must be larger even though in the simulator it showed the compressor outlet pressure as greater than the inlet pressure?
|
Solution: The compressor pressure equation under design criteria in project basis manipulates the value of design inlet and outlet pressure of the compressor. You can adjust the value of the parameter A and B and you will see the different inlet and outlet pressure. Suppose in your Aspen Plus file inlet pressure was 2.01 bars and outlet pressure was 3.01 bars. It goes under the range 2 of design pressure of compressor and if you change the parameters (A and B) values to zero it will show two different values for inlet and outlet pressure. Outlet pressure is larger. It is just the way it is designed. When you are loading from the simulator it will put the operating pressure under the design criteria equation and calculates the inlet and outlet design pressure. Manipulating the value of parameter A and B is theSolution for this issue.
Keywords: compressor, outlet pressure, inlet pressure, larger,
References: None
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Problem Statement: How do I set up a Aspen Fleet Optimizer debug machine to help diagnose software crashes?
|
Solution: Aspen Fleet Optimizer V7.3 has a special symbols that can be extremely useful in tracking down abnormal ends or crashes. The symbols build can be provided to customers if they run into problems that the normal error logs can not track down and help solve. The symbols build is installed the exact same way as the regular Aspen Fleet Optimizer software is installed. The symbols build will also require some additional Microsoft software to be installed. Please review the attachment to thisSolution for detailed set up information.Â
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How can I load multiple process flowsheets into one, common Aspen Process Economic Analyzer (APEA) scenario, and then estimate the combined costs?
|
Solution: Whenever you load the simulator data into Aspen Process Economic Analyzer (APEA) it will overwrite the previous loaded data from the project. That means there is not any direct way you can load the multiple simulator data into one project.
There is one work around; you can load two simulator flowsheets into two different scenarios. Then you can import the items from one scenario into another. This is a partialSolution; you are actually only importing the components, and not the stream data, into the project.
Another alternative is to merge the simulator files into one file on the simulator side, and then load it into Aspen Process Economic Analyzer. Make sure that the new flowsheet does not have any duplicate names after the merger.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How does Aspen Fleet Optimizer handle proportionality?
|
Solution: The goal of proportionality is to ensure that customer inventory is proportionate to the customer’s product sales. To accomplish this, Fleet Optimizer calculates deliveries and delivery volume to meet this goal. To eliminate the build-up of non-controlling products at customer sites, you can define maximum day supply limits that are observed during Load Sizing or the creation of split shipments. In certain business cases where the customer’s controlling product makes up 90-96 percent of the average daily sales, the application is sometimes forced to send out shipments that are disproportionate to the average sales by product. In order to eliminate the inventory build-up of non-controlling products, the RSO allows you to define maximum day supply limits that Fleet Optimizer respects when Load Sizing or creating a split shipments. There are two different methods used to manage proportionality Days Supply Threshold and Carrying Costs.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How are delivery restrictions used in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
|
Solution: Delivery Restrictions exist throughout all markets. Aspen Fleet Optimizer enables the user to define time delivery, equipment, and load sizing restrictions, thus narrowing the field, and making it easier to schedule deliveries to specific customers. A Time Restriction consists of one or several blocks of time during which a customer cannot receive a shipment. It allows the user to customize delivery restrictions on a customer by-customer basis. A Transport Restriction disables transports that have certain characteristics from making a delivery to a customer. The Restriction categories include specific transport type, transport length, transport hose access, number of trailers, number of compartments and transport capacity. A Terminal Restriction prohibits the customer from receiving either products or transports from a certain terminal. A Supplier Restriction prohibits a customer from receiving product from a certain supplier. Delivery Restrictions will be overridden in the case of a runout. If a customer is restricted from deliveries throughout the weekend, and will runout before Monday, the optimizer will schedule a shipment\split shipment to be delivered that Friday prior to the weekend runout.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is the goal of load sizing in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
|
Solution: The goal of Load Sizing is to adjust the weight or volume of a given load to attain preferred delivery conditions. Since some customers prefer larger shipments and others prefer a given delivery window, Load Sizing is performed for all deliveries according to these preferences. Several attributes allow you to manage Load Sizing adjustments on a customer-by-customer basis. Load Sizing, the size of a shipment, and the length of a shipment delivery window are dependent on each other. Because a customer's tanks are fixed in size, as the payload for a delivery is increased, the time available to make the delivery (delivery window) is decreased. The relationship between load size and delivery window is managed through a series of tradeoffs. For some customers, a larger shipment size is more desirable. For others, the delivery window length is a priority. Fleet Optimizer, through the use of various Load Sizing variables, enables you to manage this tradeoff on a customer-by-customer basis. These are the variables that you configure during the customer setup in order to utilize Load Sizing for a customer. A must-go shift is the last full shift of delivery available before a buffered runout point. The buffered runout point includes a time buffer so Fleet Optimizer assumes this earlier runout point is the time of the actual runout. If no runout buffer is specified, the must-go shift becomes the first full shift before the actual runout point.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: Can I use Aspen Process Economic Analyzer (APEA) within Aspen Capital Cost Estimator (ACCE)? How?
|
Solution: Yes, you can use Aspen Process Economic Analyzer (APEA) within Aspen Capital Cost Estimator (ACCE) if you have enough tokens or your license allows it. When you start ACCE, there will be an options window appear. Click the Aspen Process Economic Analyzer button and the APEA Process View window will be available inside of ACCE.
inside, Process View
Keywords: inside, Process View
References: None
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Problem Statement: How do I search for an order in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
|
Solution: Click on the Edit menu on the Resource Scheduling Optimization toolbar. Select either the customer number or order number option from the search menu. A dialog box will appear asking the user to enter the customer number or order number. Enter the value the user wish to search. A search dialog box will appear that lists up to six of the customer’s shipments. Each order number will be listed along with its position within the Resource Scheduling Optimization To move to a shipment, the user can either highlight the shipment in question or click on the Go To button or double-click on the actual shipment.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How does the Aspen Fleet Optimizer data collection work?
|
Solution: Aspen Fleet Optimizer manages customers' inventories utilizing a shipment forecasting algorithm that requires daily inventory levels and sales rates to predict a customer's future runout and to create a shipment to replenish stock. Successful inventory management within Aspen Fleet Optimizer requires the user to follow a series of steps referred to as The Inventory Control Process. The Inventory Control Process includes data collection, data integrity testing, shipment forecasting, shipment review, and status reset procedures. The first step in The Inventory Control Process is the collection of customer sales and inventory data. Data is generally collected in the following ways automatically from another computer software, it can be manually entered into Aspen Fleet Optimizer or can be entered using the Aspen Fleet Optimizer eChainSolution. Data integrity testing is the testing of customer sales and inventory information to ensure accuracy. Aspen Fleet Optimizer relies on sales and inventory information to predict future shipments for a customer; therefore every customer's information must be tested for accuracy. Erroneous data will create an erroneous forecast and will increase the risk of a runout or retain. Shipment forecasting is the automatic creation of fuel shipments for a customer. Once the data is approved, Aspen Fleet Optimizer automatically forecasts up to fifty shipments per customer. When Aspen Fleet Optimizer has completed each customer's forecasting these shipments can be reviewed and changed within the replenishment planner module. Aspen Fleet Optimizer’s Inventory Control Process uses status software to assist the user in monitoring each customer's progress along the inventory control chain. This Status software ensures that all customers' shipments are forecasted. Status reset procedures refers to the process of resetting status flags for each customer once every customer has been run through the Inventory Control Process.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How to change units of rate for Utility streams in Aspen Process Economic Analyzer?
|
Solution: You can change this under project basis view from utility specifications options.
- Go to Utility specification option, double click on it.
- Select the stream to modify and change the unit of rate as shown in screenshot below.
Keywords: stream unit, change unit
References: None
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Problem Statement: How does Aspen Fleet Optimizer match shipments to trucks?
|
Solution: Once the optimal shipment is determined, Fleet Optimizer matches shipments to a transport assigned to the customer. This matching process considers all possibilities. For example, a four-compartment transport can be matched with four products in 256 different ways. Fleet Optimizer determines a transport match that most closely resembles the optimal shipment quantities. Transport matching guarantees that all shipments created by Fleet Optimizer are viable shipments that can be loaded onto existing transports.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What happens in Aspen Fleet Optimizer when there is a cross window?
|
Solution: A Crossed Delivery Window exists when the retain point is later than the runout point. Aspen Fleet Optimizer is restricted against delivering this shipment at any time. The user can correct this by decreasing the size of the shipment to create an acceptable delivery window and by making sure the transports have all available compartment configurations setup.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How can I generate messaging for HTTP 500 - Internal server errors?
|
Solution: Make the following IE and IIS changes and then try the request that is not working, and provide us with the message it produces.
First, go to and Internet Explorer window and go to Tools, Internet Options, Advanced Settings and set the Show friendly HTTP error messages. This is on both a 2003 server and a 2008 server.
The next step is not necessary for non-2008 servers.
If on a Windows 2008 server, go to IIS Manager, expand machine name, then Default Web Site and find ATControl.
Once you click on the ATControl node in the left-side, double-click on the ASP icon that appears in the center pane. That gets you to this page.
Finally, be sure to click the Apply link in the upper-right corner to save your change.
To test if the problem is with the GroupList XML function (which I suspect it is), do the following steps to run a script on the PCWS server and send us the results.
Step 1: Paste the following lines into a text editor and save the file as test.js on the PCWS server...
//Start of test.js //
var someObj, str;
var wshell;
try
{
// new web data provider
someObj = new ActiveXObject(AspenTech.Interop.ACP.Services.Web.COMWebServer);
if (null != someObj)
WScript.Echo (object created );
else
WScript.Echo (object create failed.);
// new web data provider
str = someObj.Connect();
WScript.Echo (object connected.);
str = someObj.GroupListXML;
WScript.Echo (Grouplist XML is: \n + str);
someObj.Disconnect();
str = ;
}
catch (exception)
{
str = exception + exception;
}
finally
{
WScript.Echo(str);
}
// end of test.js //
Step 2: run the following command...
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\cscript.exe test1.js > test.txt
This command creates a test.txt file. Send us the test.txt file.
Keywords:
References: None
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Problem Statement: How can I get my current version of Aspen Process Economic Analyzer to see files used in an older version of Aspen Process Economic Analyzer?
|
Solution: To get Aspen Process Economic Analyzer to see projects used in a different version of Aspen Process Economic Analyzer, from the drop down menu choose:
Tools | Options | Preferences (Locations)
Click the Add button and navigate to the folder the Project you are interested in is located in.
(Note: do not choose the Project folder itself, but the folder the Project is located in
Click Okay to accept and then Okay to close the Preference window.
The first time you do this you may not see the Project in the Projects view because the system has not refreshed what it is showing. If that is the case, then just click on any of the projects in the window, do a right mouse button, and choose refresh. The added project should now appear.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: In V7.1 positive gains showed blue and negative gains showed red on the Model Tab. Now, in V7.3 both positive and negative gains show blue?.how do I get V7.3 to represent negative gains red?
|
Solution: Make the following modifications to:
<All Users Profile>\AspenTech\APC\Web Server\Config\plot-settings-light.xml
Search for the line that begins with: <plot-curve name=MDL_CURVE_GAIN_NEG
And change: line-color=blue
to: line-color=red
Do this for the next two lines as well (MDL_ORIG_CURVE_GAIN_NEG and MDL_GMULT_CURVE_GAIN_NEG).
Then, restart the Aspen APC Web Provider Data Service.
Note that if you want to also change the dark background plot colors, then that would be in the plot-settings-dark.xml file in the same folder.
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References: None
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Problem Statement: What is the value of a locked load in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: The Locked option prevents the Aspen Fleet Optimizer system from automatically making additional changes to an order. This option can only be selected for orders that have not been dispatched. Mark a shipment as “locked” anytime you want to preserve changes you have made to the shipment. You can also “lock” a shipment if you want to ensure that the system does not make any changes to a forecasted shipment. For example, you would “lock” a shipment if the customer wants to ensure that forecasted shift and product volumes are not altered.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: In North America, what makes up the G&A Overheads and Contract Fee found under Other Project Costs?
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Solution: The percentages of G&A Over heads and Contract Fee which are under Other project costs consists of:
Material G&A = 3%
Construction Labor G&A = 3%
Engineering Fee = 7.2%
Material Fee = 2%
Construction Labor Fee = 9.5%
Handling Fee = 3% of material
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How can I plot non-AspenWatch data in PCWS?
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Solution: AspenWatch is the performance monitoring software for APC applications. It uses an Infoplus 21 database as the historian, so it is possible to add non-ApsenWatch data into the database. AspenWatch data includes DCMplus data, APC application data, miscellaneous and PID data. The history plot can be accessed by various methods on the PCWS, and tags can be added through PCWS, and the plots can be saved to be used later. The plotting component is a modified Web21 plot, thus any Infoplus.21 point can be dragged and dropped into the plot from the Tag Browser.
So the procedure for adding any Infoplus.21 tag into the plot created in PCWS is to:
-Open the plot.
-Open Tag Browser located in Start>All Programs>AspenTech>Common Utilities.
-Search for the tag
-Select the tag and drag and drop it into the opened plot.
Keywords: PCWS web21
References: None
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Problem Statement: How is the Total Operating Cost Calculated in the Executive Summary Report?
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Solution: The Total Operating Cost is calculated as follows:
The total of raw material, utility, operating labor, maintenance, operating charges, plant overhead and G and A expenses.
Further explanations on the Investment Analysis reports that Aspen Process Economic Analyzer produces (Equipment Summary, Project Summary, Cashflow, and Executive Summary) are located in the IPE User's Guide, Chapter 8, starting on page 8-38.
Keywords: operating cost, executive summary
References: None
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Problem Statement: Is it possible to export the Icarus RADPFS drawings to AutoCad?
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Solution: No, it is not possible to export the drawings to AutoCad, as the Icarus drawings are proprietary.
Keywords: AutoCad, Auto Cad, Cad, Icarus, drawing, drawings, RADPFS, export
References: None
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Problem Statement: Are there any WCF / PCWS connection requirements? Cannot connect the PCWS to the online server, even though there are no firewalls enabled and network connections are open and good.
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Solution: Windows clock synchronization (not Internet Explorer or Aspen software) is required. Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) requires the UTC timestamps between machines to be within some tolerance of each other for communication to be secure, preferably within five minutes. Note that timezones are not an issue because it bases the time on UTC. It is required that the timezone time be correct and accurate.
Windows has its own built in time synchronization tool (W32tm) that is designed to deal with this exact issue. It is easy to configure and works well. All you would have to do is select one or more computers on your network to be the time server and then have all the others sync time with that machine.
The following MS TechNet article may help. It is labeled as applying to Windows 2008 server but applies to 2003 server also.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc816656(WS.10).aspx
Keywords:
References: None
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Problem Statement: How are buffers used in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: Aspen Fleet Optimizer automatically displays the default values for all of the information found in the customer setup interview window. The terminal is where the customer receives product. The fill transport is a value that defines the transport configuration that will be used to match forecasted shipments for a particular customer. The first fill transport choice will always be load size, which tells Aspen Fleet Optimizer that all the transports from the source terminal will be available for delivery to that customer and that every shipment will be sized to meet specified delivery window criteria. If a specific transport is selected, all shipments will be matched exclusively to that transport. Retain and Runout Buffers are time values that guard against having either too much or not enough product. The Retain and Runout Buffers allow the user to buffer particular delivery windows by causing the software to schedule shipments no sooner or later than a certain number of hours before or after the point in time that a specific delivery will fit. The Retain Buffer allows the user to buffer shipments within specific delivery windows to avoid a retain.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: Why am I having problems mapping my gas reactor in Aspen Process Economic Analyzer?
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Solution: By default, Aspen Process Economic Analyzer has reactors like the RSTOIC reactor from Aspen Plus, mapped as an Agitated Tank. Agitated tanks are for liquids, not vapor. To fix this map your reactor into another vessel such as a Horizontal Process Vessel.
Keywords:
References: None
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Problem Statement: Why does Aspen Fleet Optimizer need new sales and inventory information daily?
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Solution: Aspen Fleet Optimizer manages customers' inventories utilizing a shipment forecasting algorithm that requires daily inventory levels and sales rates to predict a customer's future runout and to create a shipment to replenish stock. Successful inventory management within Aspen Fleet Optimizer requires the user to follow a series of steps referred to as The Inventory Control Process. The Inventory Control Process includes data collection, data integrity testing, shipment forecasting, shipment review, and status reset procedures.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: I am using Aspen Economic Evaluation V7.2 (early download version from December 2009). Why won't it integrate with my new Aspen Plus and Aspen HYSYS V7.2?
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Solution: Aspen Plus and Aspen HYSYS V7.2 use Economic Evaluation V7.2.1. They can not interface with the early download release of V7.2 of Economic Evaluation. V7.2.1 is the version of Economic Evaluation release with (and is on) the V7.2 DVD of the Aspen Engineering Suite. If you have previously installed the early download V7.2 version (released December 2009), and install Aspen Plus and/ or Aspen HYSYS, they will not work with the V7.2 version of Economic Evaluation. YOU MUST INSTALL THE VERSION ON THE DVD (ie V7.2.1) of Aspen Economic Evaluation. The costing then should work for Aspen Plus and Aspen HYSYS.
Keywords:
References: None
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Problem Statement: How are the service levels used in Resource Scheduling Optimizer in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: Service Levels are used to assign priorities to customers, which determine the preference that customers receive during automatic optimization. Resource Scheduling Optimizer (RSO) ensures that, after optimization, orders assigned to transports have higher customer service levels than those in overflow that can be switched one for one with an order already on a transport.
For example, the RSO could remove an order assigned to a transport and replace it with an order from the Overflow Shipments list if:
The orders are compatible and can be switched on the transport in a one for one exchange.The customer with an overflow order has a higher priority than a customer whose order is already on a transport.
Service Levels range from 1 to 99, with 99 being the highest priority level. The default service level is 50.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: Is there an easy way to resize multiple blocks?
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Solution: You can Resize multiple blocks by following these steps:
1.) Click on the Process View tab
2.) Click on Main Project
3.) In the List View you will see all of your blocks. Highlight the ones you would like to resize
4.) In the List View while pointing at the highlighted blocks, click on your Right Mouse Button, and then choose Resize. Your blocks will now be resized.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How does Aspen Fleet Optimizer calculate the runout point?
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Solution: The first stage in the forecasting process is determining the point in time when a customer will run out of the first product. The runout point is calculated by subtracting forecasted sales from a reported current inventory level. The forecasted sales are generated through the use of sales trends, average daily sales, and sales constants. With a noted current inventory level, AFO will subtract forecasted sales by product on an hour-by-hour basis until the runout point of the first product is determined.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is the full diesel check box in Aspen Fleet Optimizer used for?
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Solution: The Full Diesel Shipments Flag define the compartment combinations for shipping different products on the same shipment. When the user identifies the location of a double wall, the software automatically creates Diesel Compartment Groups. A check box next to the Diesel Compartment Group identifies that group as a viable shipping option for diesel fuel. When the box is not checked, the specified group of compartments is off limits to diesel fuel. The same applies for the full diesel check box. This check box can allow the system to create full diesel loads but it does not limit Aspen Fleet Optimizer to only creating full diesel loads.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: Can I run the cost runs I do in Aspen Plus in Aspen Process Economic Analyzer?
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Solution: Yes. When you run an Aspen Plus run it creates an Aspen Process Economic Analyzer project using your Aspen Plus name to create a project and scenerio.
If the Aspen Plus file name is TEST123, then when your run the costing in Aspen Plus it will create an Aspen Process Economic Analyzer project TEST123COST with a scenerio name of SCENERIO1.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How is Site ID used in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: The Site ID is another way to identify a customer. Aspen Fleet Optimizer allows the user to establish a Site ID number for situations where two customer numbers will be managed as one Site ID. By default, Aspen Fleet Optimizer sets the Site ID to match the customer number. The user will need to adjust the site ID on account they want linked.
Keywords: None
References: None
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