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Problem Statement: On the heat exchanger component form, what is the meaning of extended tube length?
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Solution: Tube length extended is the end-to-end length of a tube in the heat exchanger, i.e. the length of a tube between the tube-to-tubesheet joints. For most shell and tube heat exchanger configurations in the system, this means it is the length between the tubesheets. For U-tube configuration it is approximately twice the length of a single prong of the U-bend (see images below).
Accordingly the minimum and maximum values for this input depend on the TEMA configuration. For U-tube, minimum: 8 FT (2.5 M), maximum: 120 FT (36 M). For all other configurations, minimum: 4 FT (1.25 M), maximum: 60 FT (18 M).
Keywords: extended tube length, extended, tube, length, heat exchanger
References: None
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Problem Statement: How do I modify the freight charges from an estimate?
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Solution: It is possible to modify (even remove/make zero) the freight charge. The Freight is defined directly in the Contract Definition window (this account as well as taxes and duties are defined as project costs).
To access this window go to Project Basis View | Contracts | Contractor, then choose the Edit option from the right-click menu.
If you have more than one contractor (owner) you need to specify the Freight for each contractor.
By default the Freight Charges are zero, but you can specify either the freight percentage or the freight in $/pound.
Keywords: Freight, contractor
References: None
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Problem Statement: How is the lighting wire length calculated in Aspen Capital Cost Estimator (ACCE)?
|
Solution: For component such as tower, lighting wire length is the sum of:
1. Tangent to Tangent height of component
2. The skirt height
3. The average distance of a component to the panel board ( area level spec)
4. 10 feet of cut-off throw-away allowance
So for example, if we have a tower 80 feet T-T height and skirt height is 15 feet, then the average distance
of the tower to the panel board is 200 feet. Single core, 2 wire is used for lighting. The length of
lighting wire would be 610 feet.
Wire Length = (80’t-t + 15’ skirt + 200’ Dist to PB + 10’ Cutoff) x 2 wires = 610'
Keywords: Lighting Wire, Tower Lighting , Lighting calculation
References: None
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Problem Statement: How do I use Timed Recovery to recover a project?
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Solution: Timed Recovery uses what is know as a SPECS file to recover a project. This is different from recovering a file from a previous saved backup of the project. Timed Recovery is used to recover the actual project that might have ended abnormally (possibly from a crash). The next time you start your Economic Evaluation product, it will recognize that there has been an abnormal termination of your project and prompt you to see if you would like to recover the project:
If you click yes, it will recover the project that ended abnormally. Make sure to give the recovered project a new name when prompted for the name to use.
Keywords: save, application, terminated
References: None
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Problem Statement: Centrifugal Gas Compressor [DGC CENTRIF] Model enhancements in V8.7.1
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Solution: In V8.7.1, the cost and weight estimation model for the centrifugal gas compressor (DGC CENTRIF) was updated. The maximum actual gas flow rate at inlet that can be specified for this mode has increased to 300,000 CFM [509,700 M3/H], and the maximum design gauge pressure outlet was increased to 5000 PSIG [34,470 KPAG]. New fields have been added to allow you to include intercooler(s)/aftercooler in the cost estimate of the compressor, select the intercooler(s)/aftercooler type, and specify intercooler/aftercooler excess area (%). A new field to specify maximum interstage pressure drop has also been added. By default, intercooler(s)/aftercooler are not included in the compressor cost. If you select Y in these fields, intercooler(s)/aftercooler cost and weight are included in the cost of the compressor. The design data sheet for the compressor contains information about the estimated heat transfer area for each intercooler and the aftercooler, if included.
Other enhancements to the model are as follows:
· The model was updated to treat small negative inlet gauge pressure (-0.5 PSIG < P < 0 PSIG) the same as atmospheric pressure (CQ00555464).
· When a motor driver is being used and the estimated driver power is larger than the largest motor size available in the system (50,000 HP [37,000 KW]), the driver was estimated using the largest available size. In V8.7.1, a WARNING message will be generated to indicate this to you and to suggest that turbine driver should be used for the item. (CQ00558720
Keywords: Compressor, Centrifugal Gas Compressor, DGC CENTRIF
References: None
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Problem Statement: Why does Aspen Capital Cost Estimator (ACCE) generate more Area of sand blasting, primer paint and top coat paint than the Actual Area of a straight length pipe?
Evaluate a straight 100m length of Sch 80 15mm with no fittings. ACCE generates 30m2 of sand blasting, 30m2 of primer & 30m2 of top coat.
With manual calculation the OD of Sch80 15mm is 22.46mm.
The Pipe Area = 70.56mm (circumference) x 100m (Length) = 7.05m2
It appears ACCE generates excess paint area and labour hours for the length pipe. Why is this?
|
Solution: In ACCE, for any pipe diameter <= 3 inch (76.2mm), ACCE applies 1 sq.ft / LF surface area for pipe painting.
This is based on charts/data received from clients. For small diameter pipe, if painting and using spray, then have to account for larger over-spray and therefore estimate using a larger surface area.
So for 100m of 15 mm diameter (0.5 inch) pipe, the surface area will be 30.48 sq. m.
You do have the flexibility to change the surface area if preferred by specifying the pipe painting separately through installation bulks.
Keywords: sand blasting, primer paint, top coat paint , pipe diameter, surface area
References: None
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Problem Statement: Why I am getting the same costing for flanged and welded valves?
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Solution: In the following capital cost report, you can see the results for two identical pipe lines. Line 1 contains two welded valves (gate and globe valves), and line 2 contains the same two valves but flanged in this case. You can appreciate that the unit price for flanged and welded are the same. We will get, however, different bulks: 2 welds per valve for line 1, and 2 flanges, 2 gaskets and 24 bolts per valve for line 2. You can see as well that the weights reported are different between welded / flanged valves:
We do not have pricing differences between welded/flanged valves. However, users can access to the Detailed Unit Rate Estimating (DURE) feature to distinguish between the two valve types. For more information on Detailed Unit Rate Estimating, please refer to KBSolution 140138
Keywords: Valve pricing, welded/flanged.
References: None
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Problem Statement: How to modify craft name in Construction Workforce?
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Solution: The craft name in the Construction Workforce can be modified by using the craft names option.
For example, the default craft name for Craft Code 51 is Laborer/Labourer. If we want to change the craft name to Labor - Area 1, we would change it by using the craft names option as shown in the snapshots below. Just enter the new craft name for the respective craft code as shown and it will be reflected in the Wage Rate/ Productivity chart.
Before changing the craft name:
After changing the craft name:
Keywords: Craft Names, Construction Workforce
References: None
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Problem Statement: Is there a way to standardize the unite rate sheet so that it can be used on any project? When we edit a unit rate sheet and use it on another project, there is always new line items that are listed. Is there a comprehensive list or unit rate sheet that contained every or at least most of the different combinations of unit rate line items that would occur in Aspen Capital Cost Estimator (ACCE) so that we could edit it and use it on any project. Then we could cover most, if not all, of the unit rate changes that we typically have to make.
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Solution: The Unit Rate Estimation report is meant to be project specific; so it is not possible to have a comprehensive list. It is also not feasible as there is > 100,000 possible line items that can be generated and the scope, UOM and Currencies in the Detailed Unit Rate Estimate (DURE), need to be consistent with the project.
Keywords: unit rate estimation, standard spreadsheet
References: None
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Problem Statement: How do I enable the Aspen Online Deployment (AOD) logging on the Production Control Web Server (PCWS)?
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Solution: Go to PCWS \ Online tab \ Online Deployment Applications; select the application, on the right side click on its Name.
On the Aspen Online Deployment Detail window look for Debug Print, click on it.
The options are: Off, Trace Output and File Output, select the last one.
Go to Windows 2003 :\Documents & Settings\All Users\ApplicationData\AspenTech\RTE\V7.3\Clouds \Online\sys or Windows 2008 :\ProgramData\AspenTech\RTE\V7.3\Clouds\Online\sys. Look for the AppRelated.log file.
Go to PCWS \ Online tab \ Messages, filter by Application Type: AOD and Application Name: AppName. Additional information is displayed.
Keywords: Aspen Online Deployment, AOD, Aspen Production Control Web Server, PCWS, logging, debugging
References: None
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Problem Statement: When will the Icarus products (Aspen Kbase, Aspen Icarus Process Evaluator, and Aspen Icarus Project Manager) be Vista compliant?
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Solution: The Icarus products (Aspen Kbase, Aspen Icarus Process Evaluator, and Aspen Icarus Project Manager) will be Vista compliant with the next major release of the software (v2006.5,) which will be released at the end of 2007.
Keywords: Vista, Icarus, Kbase
References: None
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Problem Statement: Why does my project have scaffolding costs, when my Scaffolding percent DFL field was empty?
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Solution: A field with nothing in it is not the same as having a zero value in the field. If you click on the Scaffolding percent DFL field and then check your Properties Palette, you will see defaults for the various regions.
Contract Definition
Name
Scaffolding percent DFL
Data Type
Real
Min
0
Max
Default
Description
Enter either cost or percent - not both. Default: US: 3%; UK,EU: 7%; JP: 3%; ME: 3%
Keywords: Scaffolding, indirect costs, contractor
References: None
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Problem Statement: How do external files behave when I am upgrading my project to a newer version of Aspen Capital Cost Estimator (ACCE)?
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Solution: Any customer external files that are selected and used in a project scenario will still be used by that scenario when opened in a newer version of Aspen Capital Cost Estimator. When the project is opened in the newer version and the scenario is evaluated, the costs generated will include the impact of the External files which were selected when the file was originally created.
However, even though the data is brought into the new version, the actual external, .DAT, file is not.
Figure 1 - Civil External File set up in the original version is shown in List view as being associated with the Project in the new version
Figure 2 - External File 'CivilV8.DAT is not available for selection
You are still able to have the same functionality in the upgraded, destination project, as you had in the originating project. All the usual Menu options such as Edit, Select, Remove Selection and Export to Library are available to the external files which are associated with the project.
Figure 3 - All Menu items are available
However, once the external file Selection is Removed you can no longer Select or Edit that same data file unless the .DAT external file is saved externally, in the appropriate location, in the newer version file directory.
Figure 4 - When external file selection is removed
Figure 5 - CIVILV8.DAT is not available for re-selection because it was neither exported to Libraries nor saved in the appropriate customer external file directory
This behaviour is consistent with all customer external files except STEEL.DAT. In V9 there is now the added functionality which allows users to select Steel external files for specific Areas in the project, rather than for the entire Project; as is the case with all other external files. This means that one project can have up to 10 external steel files.
Therefore, editing of a steel external file inside a project is not supported. Instead steel external files will have to be edited outside the project in Library mode. The ability to Select, Remove Selection and Export to Library is still retained by any steel external file.
Upward compatibility is supported while backward compatibility is not.
Keywords: customer external files, steel.dat, unable to edit steel.dat, backward compatibility, upward compatibility.
References: None
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Problem Statement: The Properties Window has disappeared, but is still checked on in View drop down window. How do I get it to reappear?
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Solution: This typically happens when the Expand Dock Window arrow has been clicked on above the Palette Window. If you click on it again it should show Contract Docked Window and the Palette Window should shrink to its' typical size and the Properties Window should reappear.
Keywords: Expand Docked Window, Contract Docked Window, Expand, Contract, Dock
References: None
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Problem Statement: What do the Truck Chisel Settings in the Customize.ini control?
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Solution: There are two Truck Chisel ini settings in the Customize.ini:
DoTruckChiselInFirstPhase
DoTruckChiselInFinalPhase
As with many of the settings in the ini files, these are binary, allowing either 1 or 0 as acceptable values. If either of them has a value of 1, they are considered to be active for the Optimization.
The TruckChisel algorithm runs after orders have been scheduled on transports. This algorithm attempts to optimize shipments by reassigning orders to alternate transports. The goal of this option is to create additional time on transports in order to deliver overflow orders.
In general, executing the TruckChisel algorithm in the first phase will take longer to complete the optimization process than executing the algorithm in the final phase. However, executing the algorithm in the first phase usually results in a lower cost per volume for the total optimization. The converse is also generally true. Executing the TruckChisel algorithm in the final phase of the optimization decreases the time it takes to complete the optimization process, but it can result in a slightly higher cost per volume for the total optimization.
Keywords: Chisel, DoTruckChisel
References: None
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Problem Statement: Can I change the interval of the controller updates to the Production Control Web Server?
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Solution: The view server command for changing the controller updates period is:
dmcp_viewsrv.exe -u <interval_in_miliseconds>
The default value is 15000 (15 seconds).
To change the way it starts in the autostartlist.txt, you would change the DMCP_VIEWSRV section as follows (this example changes the period to 30 seconds:
PROCNAME=DMCP_VIEWSRV
SEQNUM=20
APPPATH=$ACODHOME\bin\dmcp_viewsrv.exe
ARGLIST=-u 30000
APPTYPE=1
Keywords: updates, controller, pcws
References: None
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Problem Statement: Changing from local user account management to a domain controller
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Solution: Here is a recommendation for switching from your local user accounts to domain accounts:
Modify all the roles to use the domain accounts instead of the local ones. Then, make sure the PCWS server is registered properly in the domain. Also verify that nslookup works both directions (DNS is configured properly).
Finally, if you plan to use domain Groups in the roles (if using specific users, then skip this step), then you need to modify the asp page that is referenced in the AFW Tools URL entry and change the value for gnLocalGroupsLevel from 1 to 3 so that it can resolve domain groups. The file is typically located at:
\Inetpub\wwwroot\AspenTech\Afw\Security\pfwauthz.asp
Keywords: accounts, users, members, local, domain, pcws, als
References: None
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Problem Statement: PV-SP Std Dev on PID Statics page is not correct and might become larger than PV-SP Max.
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Solution: PV-SP Std Dev is calculated by ProcedureDef AW_PIDHIST_DATA record.Solution 125179 Aspen Watch 2006.5 CP1 Hotfix2 ptach contains the fix of this record. So, implementingSolution 125179 fix this PV-SP Std Dev calculation problem and provide correct one.
Keywords:
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is the difference between the TPS tables and the TCIF tables in the Aspen Fleet Optimizer database?
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Solution: Aspen Fleet Optimizer will work best if you keep at least 13 months of data in the TPS_HISTORY table. The Aspen Fleet Optimizer Holiday Storm Planner needs this amount of data to be accurately used. If the table becomes too large it can negatively impact the performance of the system. Here is a sample script that can be used to clear out the table.
Delete from TPS_HISTORY where date_ < sysdate – 390;
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What does the ST column in the PrimalDual Report mean?
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Solution: In the PrimalDual Report, the ST column indicates the status for each row or equation.
UL: the equation was at its upper limit.
LL: the equation was at its lower limit.
BS: the equation was not at any limit.
FR: the equation is non-constraining.
EQ: the equation was generated as an equality type row.
**: the equation is infeasible
++: the equation was unbounded.
Keywords: PrimalDual Report
ST column
References: None
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Problem Statement: How do I prevent Aspen Production Control Web Server from losing its localization setting when it is in legacy Corba Dais communication mode?
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Solution: Set the communication mode to WCF, which is the default, and PCWS would be localized.
Keywords: Localization, WCF, Corba, Dais
References: None
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Problem Statement: What specific items are being rolled up in Code of Account (COA) 90, 91, and 99?
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Solution: COA 90 includes engineering, material and construction G and A overhead. COA 91 is for contract fee, which includes engineering fee, material fee and construction fee. COA 99 includes contingencies for engineering, material and construction. The percentage of each sub-item in each COA above is defined in the contract definition sheet in project basis view.
Keywords: Indirect
References: None
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Problem Statement: What are the PID Events display in the Aspen Production Control Web Server History tab?
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Solution: The following types are the ones that log events:
A? Tuning: Changes to AW_P, AW_I and AW_D fields.
A? Configuration: Changes to AW_SCANMODE and AW_MODE
A? System: PID Collect process starts (TSK_PIDx), Licensing messages
Keywords: PID, Events, PCWS
References: None
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Problem Statement: Where do the figures from Yesterday's Sales in the Data Quality Manager screen come from?
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Solution: The values displayed in the Yesterday's Sales fields can be from two different types of reporting. For Customers that report either:
1. Sales and Inventory Information, or
2. Sales Only Information
The other source of information that could be represented here could be calculated sales from Customers reporting Inventory Only Information.
- In this case the value is calculated from comparing yesterday's Inventory + any deliveries that were expected to be delivered - today's reported Inventory.
These values come into AFO from the TCIF_SIIMP table via the SIMPORT Service. Once this service processes them, they are written to the TPS_NEWINFO table and are awaiting DQM processing.
Keywords: Yesterday's Sales, DQM
References: None
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Problem Statement: What does the Sales Import service in Aspen Fleet Optimizer do?
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Solution: The Sales and Inventory Import Service reads, writes, and processes information from the TCIF_SIIMP table containing sales and inventory information from an external process. It is used to pass daily sales and/or inventory information into the Fleet Optimizer system, using the following basic process. An external process inserts records into the TCIF_SIIMP table with the new information flag (N_INFO_FLG) set to ?T.? As the Fleet Optimizer Sales and Inventory Import NT Service runs, it selects records from TCIF_SIIMP where the N_INFO_FLG =T for processing. When processed, the service sets the N_INFO_FLG for each record to F. If the Sales and Inventory Import Service processes a record that contains an error, it changes the N_INFO_FLG to F and inserts an error code. This record is not processed until the error is fixed.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How do I set the sales test override in AFO?
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Solution: 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.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: Using WTS with V73, which ini file (Customize.ini) is used for the Services?
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Solution: The ini file used by the Services in a WTS installation of Aspen Fleet Optimizer is located:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Fleet Optimizer\Settings
This is different than the ini used by the Aspen Fleet Optimizer applications the user would be using. Those are stored in the specific profile assigned to each User.
Keywords: Customize.ini, WTS
References: None
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Problem Statement: My project file crashes when I try to open either the power distribution, process control, contractor, or scope tree.
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Solution: Many times this happens because of the linked areas to the contractors, power distribution, process control and/or scope sections of the estimate.
Other links that are [indirectly] related to the power distribution, process control and contractors are those like Equipment workforces, construction workforces, etc. Without unlinking first, there is a very good chance that the next time you try to open one the the trees (power distribution, process control and contractor), the project file will crash.
There are 2 ways to fix this:
1. Export project to a specs file and then reimport
a. Open project and immediately export to specs (export to empty file folder on the hard drive). Go to File - Export to SPECS file.
b. Then, in the 'Save As' dialog box, click the down arrow next to 'Save in' and select
1. 'Local Drive (C:)
2. Then click on the icon to the right of the Save in box that has a folder with the little star on it (this is the 'Create New Folder' icon.
3. Name the folder 'Export', then double-click on that new folder called 'export' to open the folder.
4. Then, in the File name section, type in the file name called 'specs'. Do not enter in an extension or save as type. This exported file MUST be called 'specs', and it is important that the file be exported to an empty folder on the hard drive. This is because the entire contents of that folder that contains the 'specs' file may also contain other data from the project, such as currency, custom pipe specs, custom codes of account, and/or other external type files.
Once you type in the name 'specs', click the SAVE button.
b. Close out of the project.
c. Create new project (type in project name and scenario name, but DON'T CLICK THE OK BUTTON!)
d. Click the button called IMPORT.
e. Select to import from ICARUS 2000 9-10.
f. Browse to file folder that contains exported SPECS file (ex: c:\export). Highlight that folder, then click the OK button.
This will import the project data from the exported project that was crashing. Test this newly imported project immediately to make sure all is in working order, by opening power distribution, process control, contractor, and scope trees.
2. Send project files to customer support for fixing
a. Close out of project
b. Locate project's stored location (default for v2006.0 and earlier is: 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\Archives_Kbase'; the default location for v2006.5 and later is: 'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\Archives_Kbase').
c. Send both .IZP and .SZP files (ZIPPED, please) to: [email protected] for fixing.
Remember: If you export your file and re-import, you will very likely have to relink your Areas, Contractors, Workforces, etc.!!!
Keywords: crash, power distribution, process control, contractor, contracts, scope
References: None
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Problem Statement: Configuring specific access to specific controllers by users of the Production Control Web Server (WCF protocol)
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Solution: Starting V7.2 PCWS uses the WCF protocol. For PCWS with DAIS protocol (obsolete starting V8.0) checkSolution 117783.
Follow the attached file procedure for disabling controller visibility to certain users,
Note: The example uses the parent Host (PCWS). A more complex structure can be set if specific Host / Applications are added. To do so:
1. Using a proper account, open the web viewer (PCWS). Go to the Configuration tab.
2. Go to the Security section (left panel), Permissions, select the Host that is the required Online/DMC server (the name of the machine where the controllers are running); if it is not available, Add it.
3. In the bottom half of the page, select/add the required Application (controller/iq) for a given Host.
Repeat for all the required Hosts and Applications (controllers).
Work on the check-boxes in the different Host / Application combinations.
These security configurations are basically updating the AFW Security / Local Security database.
Keywords: AFW security
Permissions and roles
Secure groups
PCWS access
References: None
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Problem Statement: An error message like the following may appear when attempting to install cumulative patch 1 (CP1):
{<long string>} is not installed ProductState returned is -1.
An example of this message could be like the following line:
{03C60EFB-0551-48D3-44D8-0D9714376849} is not installed. ProductState returned -1.
This problem is more likely to appear because a field patch (hotfix or Emergency Patch) is installed after the original install.
|
Solution: In order to have a successful patch installation, one may need to make a fresh installation by doing a full uninstall of the APC suite of products, cleaning the Windows Registry of any invalid entry and then perform a reinstall of the APC products. One may use a Registry cleaner software such as CCleaner. This software can be found in the link below:
https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner
After scanning and cleaning the Registry, check there are not Aspen product entries in the following Registry routes:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\AspenTech
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AspenTech
or
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{55B20C1A-108A-4B3B-A606-9473F56F2907}
Reboot and proceed to reinstall the APC suite. Reboot again as needed. Finally, install the cumulative patch. Both installations have to be run as administrator. Also be sure stop any antivirus software during this process.
Keywords: ProductState
Patch installation issue
Registry
References: None
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Problem Statement: When I run my Heat Exchanger, I get an error message saying:
Design could not be completed in given number of shells
What is causing this error message? Is the size out of range? How do I fix this error?
|
Solution: The main reason why this error message can occur is because of the selections made for the TEMA type Heat Exchanger (Front End, Shell, and Rear End TEMA symbols).
For example, if you have a Front End selection of B (Bonnet integral cover), one needs to make sure that the Rear end TEMA symbol is set to M (fixed tubesheet, bonnet integral cover).
For example, if you choose, U (U-tube bundle) for the Rear end TEMA symbol, you will get the 'Design could not be completed in given number of shells' error message.
Other tips to prevent this type of error:
1. Check your inputs for heat transfer area, tube diameter, tube length, and number of shells combination. These combinations can lead to a shell diameter greater than the maximum allowed. The best thing to do here, is to only enter in the required fields for the Heat Exchanger, run an item estimate and see what Icarus generates. Then, slowly add in other input items that you know are correct about the Heat Exchanger. Only add one new input field at a time, and evaluate after each one and check the results.
2. Check shell diameters. Many times, the shell diameter can cause this error message because the calculated shell diameter is greater than the maximum allowed.
Keywords: design, shells, completed, given number, TEMA
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is the procedure to limit the pages a user can access when using the Aspen Production Control Web Server (PCWS) environment?
|
Solution: The PCWS environment can be configured to restricted access by adding the &nonav=# filter command to your access URL. This particular filter command can by used with the URL for the following PCWS web pages:
Online.asp                  Overview view
Overview.asp              Faceplates view
Operations.asp            Operations view
Tuning.asp                  Engineering view
Messages.asp            Messages view
Calculations.asp         Calculations view
Model.asp                   Model view
The nonav argument has the following settings. The settings are additive in nature (e.g. nonav=2 is nonav=1 plus further restrictions, nonav=4 is nonav=1 through nonav=3 plus further restrictions, etc.):
&nonav=0 (Default. Hide nothing)
&nonav=1 (Hide the Navigation Bar)
&nonav=2 (Hide the All Tabs in the header except for Preferences and Configuration tabs when applicable. This limits links to a single app)
&nonav=3 (Hide the Overview menu – prevents seeing an overview of other controllers but allows full navigation to pages within a single subcontroller or application)
&nonav=4 (Hide all the menu options - limits to a single page for a subcontroller or application)
&nonav=5 (Hide the Logoff and Help links)
For example, if it is desired to restrict the view on a particular screen in the control room to just the operator page for one particular application, first open PCWS using the standard link. Then, navigate to the operations view page and select the controller you wish the operator to view (COL5X3 is used in this example).
The address bar on IE will not show you the URL to get to this page. Next edit the URL to add the level of restriction at the end
http://lab24/atcontrol/operations.asp?appid=LAB24%5E0%5ECOL5X3%5EAll%20Variables&nonav=5
The filter level of 5 is the full restriction option. The window that would show up on the screen would not look as shown below:
However note that switching to either the Preferences or the Configuration option in the above screen and then switching back to the Online option will result in the URL to be refreshed without the filter.
Another, more secure way to restrict the access in PCWS Viewer would be to add the &cui=no argument to the URL. This bypasses all Aspen CUI rendering and only shows the PCWS content. This feature ignores the &nonav=# option since the &nonav=# option relies on AspenCUI elements to be present on the page. The only way to restore the AspenCUI content is to remove the argument from the URL or set it to &cui=yes. The example below illustrates how to use the &cui feature.
http://lab24/atcontrol/operations.asp?appid=LAB24%5E0%5ECOL5X3%5EAll%20Variables&cui=no
the &cui=no argument will take out access to all features including Online, Configuration, Preferences, etc. other than the main URL page itself.
Keywords: PCWS, Navigation Filtering, Restricted Access
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is the procedure to customize locale language settings on PCWS?
|
Solution: Starting with V7.3 and later, there are options to change PCWS to 10 different languages along with specific local identifiers.
English (en-US)
Chinese (zh-CN)
German (de-DE)
Spanish (es-ES)
French (fr-FR)
Italian (it-IT)
Japanese (ja-JP)
Korean (ko-KR)
Portuguese (pt-BR)
Russian (ru-RU)
There are situations where the default locale format for the selected language may not suit the location where PCWS is being used. For example, If French as the language (fr-FR), but the period (.) is needed as the decimal instead of a comma (,). In this situation, the standard format for the fr-FR locale must be modified on the PCWS web server to support the desired change.
Microsoft provides a tool (Locale Builder) that allows you to take a standard windows language locale and update it by installing a modified version of the locale.
The following link discusses the topic of modifying locales for Windows:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd317785.aspx
The following link takes you to the download page for the Microsoft Locale Builder tool:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5662
Along with these tools, Microsoft will require running the Windows validation tool to access the download page. The Locale Builder does not require to run on the same machine where the updated locale is to be installed. For example, it can built the customized locale on a Window 7 desktop and install it on a Windows 2008 server.
NOTE: To install the run tool on any OS but Windows Vista, you may need to run it in compatibility mode (see instructions below).
1. Download the LocaleBuilder.msi file to you system.
2. If running on a platform other than Windows Vista, right-click and choose Properties. On the Compatibility tab, check the Run this program in compatibility mode for: checkbox and select Windows Vista.
3. Install the Locale Builder program.
4. Run the program and select the locale you want to modify. IMPORTANT: PCWS will only recognize the locale identifiers mentioned above.
5. Modify the decimal format as desired, then Build the MSI installer for the modified locale.
6. Install the modified locale by running the MSI program you created.
7. Either reboot the web server, or restart the Aspen APC Web Provider Data Service to see the changes.
NOTE: Once this install program is created, it can be use to apply it to other servers as needed. Also, it can easily uninstall the modified locale from the Add/Remove programs tool of Windows. The modified locale will show up in the Add/Remove programs list as Custom locale.
Keywords: PWCS
Custom locale
References: None
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Problem Statement: How do I setup a truck to ship both gas and diesel product?
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Solution: When shipping gasoline and diesel together, transports that do not have a double bulkhead have to leave an empty compartment between the gasoline and diesel product. The Empty Compartment drop down box allows the user to establish one empty compartment within a compartment type for the purpose of shipping diesel. The user can specify any empty compartment assignments. By selecting a compartment from the list, the user can designate that compartment as the compartment that should be empty to facilitate the shipping of diesel.
When a shipment is split between diesel fuel and gasoline, diesel is shipped in compartments with double walls. The Compartment Double Wall check boxes specify where double walls exist between compartments. A selected Compartment Double Wall check box indicates the existence of a double wall. 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. If a box isn't checked, the specified group of compartments is off limits to diesel fuel. These Diesel Compartment Groups specify the compartment combinations for shipping gasoline and diesel fuel on the same shipment.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: If I send in a Delivery Confirmation after the order has been processed by an Inventory update, will the volumes still be adjusted if they are changed?
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Solution: Even though an order has been marked as an Old Order --- meaning it has the TPS_ORDER.OLDORDER value = 1, the volumes for the products will still be adjusted if they are different from the original dispatched load if a Delivery Confirmation record is sent in by the driver or other system.
Keywords: Delivery Confirmation
References: None
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Problem Statement: Numerous indications of lost communication. Controllers not updating; Controllers no longer visible; Error message This app appears in the SecureApps.XML file but is not currently available from any View Server, or any behavior that might be caused by losing communication with viewserver. Applicable to 1SmartStep, 2Apollo and 3IQ as well.
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Solution: Any of the processes in the linkage can either abort, or become unresponsive. Examine and restart the processes using the following guidelines:
First:
Realize that the following discussion can be referring to three different computers.
For the manipulation of the viewservers, you will be on the computers running the onlines (DMCplus, SmartStep, Apollo, IQ). The data provider will be on the computer with the Production Control Web Server (PCWS) installation, and while DAIS is normally on one or the other of these computers, it could be on a third, separate computer. TRMAN (in the steps below), can be run on any of the three computers to gather the information.
Dais trader can become unresponsive, and need to be restarted, but if you are using the Dais trader that is on the DMCplus computer, then stopping and starting Dais will take your controllers down, because the ACO Utility Server is dependent on the Dais Trader service.
It is mainly for this reason that it is suggested that you utilize the Dais trader on a computer other than the computer for the onlines. The PCWS computer would be an ideal candidate. Also for this reason, we would tend to leave examining and possibly re-starting the dais trader until all other possibilities have been examined.
Examine the behavior of the viewserver processes. There can be up to three of them on any online computer. The most likely is the one for DMCplus (dmcp_viewsrv.exe). There can also be view servers for SmartStep (smartstep_view.exe), Apollo (apollo_viewsrv.exe) and IQ (iq_viewsrv.exe). They can be found by process name in the task manager.
Invoke the Trader Manager (c:\Program Files\Common Files\AspenTech Shared\Dais\bin\trman.exe) and observe the display. On the right side should be an entry for AtAcoViewNode. There will be a number to the left of AtAcoViewNode that will indicate the number of offers by a view server. (When a Corba server runs, it makes it's presence known to the trader, along with connection information for the trader to pass along to clients. This is referred to as an offer)
The properties of the offer can be viewed by double clicking on that line (AtAcoViewNode) and if there is more than one offer, double clicking on each offer in the resulting window. The pertinent information is the node from which the offer originates, and the apptype. Apptype 0 is DMCplus,?h1?h is IQ, 3 is SmartStep and 5 is Apollo.
There are batch files in c:\program files\common files\aspentech shared to start and stop the view servers without affecting the rest of the advanced control processes. They are dmcpview_shutdown.bat (and _startup), smartstep_shutdown.bat (and _startup) , aplloview_shutdown.cmd (and ?h_startup?h) and iqview_shutdown.cmd(and ?g_startup?h). When you utilize one of the batch files to stop a viewserver, it should obviously disappear from the process list in the Task Manager, and the offer it was making to the Dais Trader should disappear. When you re-start the view server, the process should reappear in the Task Manager, and you should see a new offer in the trader (you may need to refresh with F5 because TRMAN is not real time.)
If you have trouble stopping or starting any of the view servers, you may have found the problem. If they've become unresponsive to a shutdown request, they probably won't be sending information to display on the Webviewer IE screen. Sometimes when it is unresponsive, it can be stopped utilizing the Task Manager, but sometimes it is necessary to resort to a more powerful, third party utility such as Process Explorer or PSkill from www.sysinnternals.com (Process Explorer is named the same but is different than the AspenTech product)
Next:
After you make sure that the view servers are behaving properly with respect to dais and offers, etc, stop and start the data provider. It is a service Aspen ACOview Data Provider, and the process (acoviewdp.exe) can be seen in the processes list of the Task Manager. As with the viewservers, if the data provider is difficult to stop, and requires such intervention as stopping it in the Task Manager, or with SI's Process Explorer, or PSkill, then you have probably found the problem. You should be able to stop and restart it without any heroics.
It might even be a good idea to re-start IIS. If you restart IIS, this will also stop and start the data provider, so you can skip the previous step. In the Control Panel Services, find IIS Admin Service, highlight it and click the restart icon. This will then re-start all the services that needed to be stopped because of dependency on the IIS Admin Service. Just remember all this should take place readily. If you have to resort to task manager, or more to get the processes to stop, so you can restart them, that's probably the problem.
If things are still not working, there could be a problem with the Dais Corba trader. If the Dais trader you are using is on the DMCplus computer, then you need to decide which is more important, keeping your controllers running, or performing this step to troubleshoot the PCWS. Stopping and starting the Dais trader will stop the AcoView Utility server, and that will cause all your controllers to exit. If your Dais trader is on a different computer (say either the PCWS computer or one that is separate from both) then you can restart it without disrupting the controllers.
Important:
It is also important to recognize the order in which the processes need to be re-started.
� First, DAIS needs to be running for either of the other two processes to be able to start, so if it seems to be necessary to shut down everything, make sure the DAIS trader is running first.
� Then start the view server processes, so they can make their offers to the Dais trader. Watch for the offers to appear.
� Next start the Data Provider.
� Finally, launch the web viewer (IE).
Please Note:
When the web viewer first comes up, and the data provider has not been utilized since the last time it started, it will take a longer time for it to populate the data in its cache, so expect the initial opening to take a minute or two. Once the initial screen is up, then the data is refreshed only by exception (when it changes). The response at this time should be very good.
If the operative view server was in an unresponsive state, and you restart it, then the data provider will periodically poll the Dais Trader to see if there are any offers for which it is not currently receiving data and updates. It will see the new offer and start retrieving data from the controllers for that view server. This polling could take five minutes or more. You can instruct the data provider to poll the Dais trader immediately by clicking the scan now button in the User Commands box under the Preferences tab of the Web Viewer.
If none of the above works, call AspenTech support, but try to remember any results you observed when performing any of the above steps. They might be useful to the support engineer when trying to diagnose the problem.
Under the Configuration tab, is a hot link to generate Web Server Diagnostics which can be saved to a file (Instructions at the top of the diagnostics page) and sent to customer support. This can answer some basic questions, and may help to resolve some issues.
If none of the above suggestions resolve the communication problems, call or e-mail the support hot line.
Keywords: PCWS, corba, dais, displays, web, application, server
1 With the release of aspenONE 2006.5, AspenTech has integrated Smart Step into DMCplus)
2 With the release of aspenONE 7.1, AspenTech has changed product name of Apollo to Nonlinear Controller.
3 With the release of aspenONE 7.1, AspenTech has changed product name of IQ to Inferential Qualities. With the release of aspenONE 2006.5, PCWS started to support IQ.
References: None
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Problem Statement: Is it possible to customize the order in which the online applications are displayed in PCWS?
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Solution: By default the PCWS settings sorts the online applications (APC, DMCplus, IQ and Nonlinear) in alphabetical order:
Starting V7.3 CP2 (and above), it is possible to configure these settings. In order to change the order in which applications are listed in PCWS, you will need to set the displayIndex property for each app. This is done through the APPNAME.usergroups.xml file located in the C:\ProgramData\AspenTech\APC\Web Server\apps\HOSTNAME\ folder on the PCWS machine.
**Note- ThisSolution is applicable to all four types of Aspen APC applicaitons, including DMCplus, Aspen IQ, Aspen Non-linear controllers and Aspen APC Controllers.
The APPNAME.usergroups.xml file are automatically created for the apps that have some custom variable groups defined. If the file is missing for a specific app, create a new one using Notepad (Run as Administrator) and enter the following information-
<?xml version=1.0 encoding=utf-8?>
<grouplist appname=APPNAME host=HOSTNAME displayIndex=1>
</grouplist>
APPNAME = Name of the application you are working with. This entry must match the APPNAME entry in the filname.
HOSTNAME = PCWS Machine Name
NOTE: Be careful to select UTF-8 encoding when using Notepad
If the file is present, you only need to add the displayIndex=”1” attribute to the <grouplist> node in the XML file. The applications will be listed in the order of the displayIndex integer values. If the displayIndex value is unspecified, then a very large integer value is assumed. If some applications have the same displayIndex values, they will be sorted in alphabetical order.
After the change is done restart the Aspen APC DMCplus Data Service on the online machine and the Aspen APC Web Provider Data Service on the PCWS. Restarting these services does not stop any running controllers.
Shown below is an example of editing the usergroups file for a DMCplus applications.
Keywords: PCWS
Custom Settings
Application Display Order
References: None
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Problem Statement: Occasionally, the plotting function for Aspentech Production Control Web Server will fail with a message in the value field in the plot legend: Group 200 on <AspenWatch computer nodename> is down
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Solution: It helps to know that the DA server that is being used by the Web21 Plot Control is tsk_DEFAULT_server and not tsk_APEX_server as one might suspect.
When this problem is caused by the DA server becoming unresponsive, the user can stop and start tsk_default_server to restore functionality without stopping and restarting the entire AspenWatch database.
Keywords: watch, plot, PCWS, web server
References: None
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Problem Statement: What items come with a Lube Oil System for a Compressor?
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Solution: With the compressor, you will get a lube oil cooler as part of the lube oil package . You also get a sealing coolant system. The driver power of the compressor determines the lube and sealing coolant systems needed for the compressor.
Keywords: lube, oil, compressor
References: None
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Problem Statement: How do I increase the number of messages maintained by the Aspen Production Control Web Server?
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Solution: There is a configuration parameter in the C:\Program Files (x86)\AspenTech\APC\Web Server\bin\WebDataProviderSvc.exe.config file that controls how many messages are maintained in the Web Server?s in-memory buffer. Below is an example of this setting:
<!-- Maximum total number of messages held. Valid range: 100 - 100,000 -->
<add key=maxMessagesTotal value=20000 />
This can be increased up to 100000 messages (the default is 20000).
Also, the DMCplus data pump stores the original messages on the online server in the Aspen DMCplus event log. You can use the Filter feature of the event log to find specific events (by ID, etc.). You could also export this event log to a CSV or EVT file to evaluate on a separate machine.
It is also possible to view/filter these messages using APC Manage on the DMCplus machine.
Keywords:
References: None
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Problem Statement: I have the need for all my users to be able to access the same custom pipe spec files, Unit Cost and Equipment Model library files, and standard basis files.
What is the procedure to set this up?
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Solution: It's as easy as copy and paste!
Please note, there is a new directory structure for v2006.5 and up. Please refer toSolution document 121905 for more information.
Unit Cost Libraries v2006.5 and up:
The (default) Unit Cost Libraries for v2006.5 are located in the 'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files' directory.
There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents from your 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\Ucl' folder to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006\Data\Ucl' to the 'G:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\Ucl' directory', where G: is the mapped network drive location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the UCLDir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Unit Cost Libraries v2006 and prior:
The (default) Unit Cost Libraries are located in the 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\Ucl' directory.
There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents from 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\Ucl' folder to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2004.2\Data\Ucl' to the 'g:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006\Data\Ucl' directory', where G: is the mapped network drive location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the UCLDir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Equipment Model Libraries v2006.5 and up:
The (default) Equipment Model Libraries are located in the 'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\Eml directory'.
There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents from 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\Eml' folder to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2004.2\Data\Eml' to the 'g:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\Eml' directory', where g: is the mapped network drive location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the EMLDir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Equipment Model Libraries v2006 and prior:
The (default) Equipment Model Libraries are located in the 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\Eml directory'.
There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents from 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\Eml' folder to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2004.2\Data\Eml' to the 'g:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006\Data\Eml' directory', where G: is the mapped network drive location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the EMLDir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Custom Pipe Specs v2006.5 and up:
The (default) Custom Pipe specs are located in the 'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\PIDs'.
There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents of both the IP and MET folders from your previous version to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from 'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\PIDs\IP and MET' to your network drive location:
'G:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\PIDs\IP and MET'), where G: is the mapped network drive location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the PIDDir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Custom Pipe Specs v2006 and prior:
The (default) Custom Pipe specs are located in the 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\PIDs\'. There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents of both the IP and MET folders from the previous version to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from the 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2004.2\Data\PIDs\IP and MET' to your NEW installation 'g:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006\Data\PIDs\IP and MET'), where G: is the mapped network drive location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the PIDDir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Custom Code of Account files (COA) v2006.5 and up:
The (default) Custom Code of Account files are located in the 'c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\COA'.
There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents of both the IP and MET folders from the previous version to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from the 'c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\COA\IP and MET' to your NEW installation:
'g:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\COA\IP and MET'), where G: is the mapped network drive location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the COADir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Custom Code of Account files (COA) v2006 and prior:
The (default) Custom Code of Account files are located in the 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus xx.x\Data\COA'.
There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents of both the IP and MET folders from the previous version to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from the 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2004.2\Data\COA\IP and MET' to your NEW installation 'g:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006\Data\COA\IP and MET'), where G: is the mapped drive letter for your network location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the COADir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Keywords: Copy, Unit Cost Library, Equipment Model library, Custom pipe Specs, access, UCL, EML, custom, COA, codes of account
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is the double wall setting used for in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
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Solution: The Double Walls flag specifies where double walls exist between compartments. A selected compartment Double Wall check box indicates the existence of a double wall. When the user identifies the location of a double wall, the software automatically creates Diesel Compartment Groups.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is the recommended way to disable the PCWS without uninstalling?
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Solution: If you don't want PCWS to be available on the machine, then uninstalling is certainly the best option. But if you want to keep it there for use later on but disable it, then you can stop the Aspen ACOView Data Provider Service and mark it as Disabled. This will prevent any web session from being created (instead it will give a rather unfriendly error). The next option would be to remove the ATControl virtual root. Do this by opening IIS Manager, right-click on ATControl, and click the Remove button on the Virtual Directory tab. To re-enable, click the same button (it will say Create instead).
Keywords: PCWS , Production Control Web Server, webviewer
References: None
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Problem Statement: How do I handle OOS Tank inventories if customers want to keep reporting the inventory as it runs down?
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Solution: The ini setting DQMEditableForOOSTanks allows customers to configure whether they can edit the values sent in for OOS tanks (Out of Service) tanks inside the DQM. It is important, however, if you want to edit these values in the DQM, that you set both DQMEditableForOOSTanks and ReportSalesAndInventoryForOOSTanks to 1 in the Configuration Utility or the ini files if you are using a version previous to V73.
Keywords: OOS Tanks, Reporting Sales and Inventory for OOS Tanks
References: None
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Problem Statement: Aspen Apollo Application not showing up on the Aspen Production Control Web Server
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Solution: POSSIBILITY ONE:
Confirm the CCP process has been started for the Apollo application, check this with Apollo Manage, if not running, start.
Check the task manager on the Apollo Online machine for apollo_viewsrv.exe process.
Stop and restart the apollo_viewsrv.exe process using the apolloview_shutdown.bat and the apolloview_startup.bat from the Program Files / common files / aspentech shared directory.
Check for offer in TRMAN, found in the Program Files / common files / aspentech shared / dais / bin directory. There should be an offer at AtAcoViewNode, with an apptype of 5.
Open a new session of the Production Control Web Server
POSSIBILITY TWO:
Checking the apollo_viewsrv.log in the aconline/sys/etc directory, reveals the following text:
doUpdates: Error reading namespace values for controller
This may indicate that a configuration file, application.xml may be loaded from a pervious version
Open the application.xml file in the version of Apollo Config that matches the Aspen Apollo Online application and save it.
Stop the current Aspen Apollo application and it's CCP process and then restart both the Aspen Apollo application and the CCP process.
Now stop and restart the apollo_viewsrv process using the apolloview_shutdown.bat and apollovies_startup.bat, found in the Program Files / Common Files / AspenTech Shared directory.
Open a new web server session, or go to the Preferences tab and use the Scan Now to refresh the connection to the apollo_viewsrv.
POSSIBILITY THREE:
Confirm there are no Aspen Apollo variable names containing spaces, this naming convention can result in the application not updating on the Aspen Production Control Web Server.
Keywords: web server, PCWS, namespace, apollo, online
References: None
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Problem Statement: Cannot save PCWS Multi-Plot group from the plot view
This was caused by some corrupted characters in the plotview.asp file that prevented the plot groups from being transmitted to the web browser in some locales that use Unicode character sets.
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Solution: Replace the inetpub/wwwroot/AspenTech/ACOView/plotview.asp file with the attached, updated version of the file.
Keywords: PCWS, MULTI, PLOT, SAVE
References: None
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Problem Statement: Is it possible to customize the order in which the online applications are displayed in PCWS?
|
Solution: By default the PCWS settings sorts the online applications (APC, DMCplus, IQ and Nonlinear) in alphabetical order:
Starting V7.3 CP2 (and above), it is possible to configure these settings. In order to change the order in which applications are listed in PCWS, you will need to set the displayIndex property for each app. This is done through the APPNAME.usergroups.xml file located in the C:\ProgramData\AspenTech\APC\Web Server\apps\HOSTNAME\ folder on the PCWS machine.
**Note- ThisSolution is applicable to all four types of Aspen APC applicaitons, including DMCplus, Aspen IQ, Aspen Non-linear controllers and Aspen APC Controllers.
The APPNAME.usergroups.xml file are automatically created for the apps that have some custom variable groups defined. If the file is missing for a specific app, create a new one using Notepad (Run as Administrator) and enter the following information-
<?xml version=1.0 encoding=utf-8?>
<grouplist appname=APPNAME host=HOSTNAME displayIndex=1>
</grouplist>
APPNAME = Name of the application you are working with. This entry must match the APPNAME entry in the filname.
HOSTNAME = PCWS Machine Name
NOTE: Be careful to select UTF-8 encoding when using Notepad
If the file is present, you only need to add the displayIndex=”1” attribute to the <grouplist> node in the XML file. The applications will be listed in the order of the displayIndex integer values. If the displayIndex value is unspecified, then a very large integer value is assumed. If some applications have the same displayIndex values, they will be sorted in alphabetical order.
After the change is done restart the Aspen APC DMCplus Data Service on the online machine and the Aspen APC Web Provider Data Service on the PCWS. Restarting these services does not stop any running controllers.
Shown below is an example of editing the usergroups file for a DMCplus applications.
Keywords: PCWS
Custom Settings
Application Display Order
References: None
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Problem Statement: Occasionally, the plotting function for Aspentech Production Control Web Server will fail with a message in the value field in the plot legend: Group 200 on <AspenWatch computer nodename> is down
|
Solution: It helps to know that the DA server that is being used by the Web21 Plot Control is tsk_DEFAULT_server and not tsk_APEX_server as one might suspect.
When this problem is caused by the DA server becoming unresponsive, the user can stop and start tsk_default_server to restore functionality without stopping and restarting the entire AspenWatch database.
Keywords: watch, plot, PCWS, web server
References: None
|
Problem Statement: What items come with a Lube Oil System for a Compressor?
|
Solution: With the compressor, you will get a lube oil cooler as part of the lube oil package . You also get a sealing coolant system. The driver power of the compressor determines the lube and sealing coolant systems needed for the compressor.
Keywords: lube, oil, compressor
References: None
|
Problem Statement: How do I increase the number of messages maintained by the Aspen Production Control Web Server?
|
Solution: There is a configuration parameter in the C:\Program Files (x86)\AspenTech\APC\Web Server\bin\WebDataProviderSvc.exe.config file that controls how many messages are maintained in the Web Server?s in-memory buffer. Below is an example of this setting:
<!-- Maximum total number of messages held. Valid range: 100 - 100,000 -->
<add key=maxMessagesTotal value=20000 />
This can be increased up to 100000 messages (the default is 20000).
Also, the DMCplus data pump stores the original messages on the online server in the Aspen DMCplus event log. You can use the Filter feature of the event log to find specific events (by ID, etc.). You could also export this event log to a CSV or EVT file to evaluate on a separate machine.
It is also possible to view/filter these messages using APC Manage on the DMCplus machine.
Keywords:
References: None
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Problem Statement: I have the need for all my users to be able to access the same custom pipe spec files, Unit Cost and Equipment Model library files, and standard basis files.
What is the procedure to set this up?
|
Solution: It's as easy as copy and paste!
Please note, there is a new directory structure for v2006.5 and up. Please refer toSolution document 121905 for more information.
Unit Cost Libraries v2006.5 and up:
The (default) Unit Cost Libraries for v2006.5 are located in the 'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files' directory.
There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents from your 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\Ucl' folder to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006\Data\Ucl' to the 'G:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\Ucl' directory', where G: is the mapped network drive location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the UCLDir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Unit Cost Libraries v2006 and prior:
The (default) Unit Cost Libraries are located in the 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\Ucl' directory.
There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents from 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\Ucl' folder to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2004.2\Data\Ucl' to the 'g:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006\Data\Ucl' directory', where G: is the mapped network drive location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the UCLDir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Equipment Model Libraries v2006.5 and up:
The (default) Equipment Model Libraries are located in the 'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\Eml directory'.
There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents from 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\Eml' folder to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2004.2\Data\Eml' to the 'g:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\Eml' directory', where g: is the mapped network drive location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the EMLDir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Equipment Model Libraries v2006 and prior:
The (default) Equipment Model Libraries are located in the 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\Eml directory'.
There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents from 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\Eml' folder to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2004.2\Data\Eml' to the 'g:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006\Data\Eml' directory', where G: is the mapped network drive location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the EMLDir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Custom Pipe Specs v2006.5 and up:
The (default) Custom Pipe specs are located in the 'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\PIDs'.
There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents of both the IP and MET folders from your previous version to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from 'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\PIDs\IP and MET' to your network drive location:
'G:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\PIDs\IP and MET'), where G: is the mapped network drive location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the PIDDir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Custom Pipe Specs v2006 and prior:
The (default) Custom Pipe specs are located in the 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\PIDs\'. There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents of both the IP and MET folders from the previous version to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from the 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2004.2\Data\PIDs\IP and MET' to your NEW installation 'g:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006\Data\PIDs\IP and MET'), where G: is the mapped network drive location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the PIDDir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Custom Code of Account files (COA) v2006.5 and up:
The (default) Custom Code of Account files are located in the 'c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\COA'.
There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents of both the IP and MET folders from the previous version to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from the 'c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\COA\IP and MET' to your NEW installation:
'g:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\COA\IP and MET'), where G: is the mapped network drive location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the COADir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Custom Code of Account files (COA) v2006 and prior:
The (default) Custom Code of Account files are located in the 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus xx.x\Data\COA'.
There are 2 sub-folders here...IP and MET. One for Inch-Pound units and one for Metric units.
Copy the contents of both the IP and MET folders from the previous version to your network drive location.
Ex: Copy the contents from the 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2004.2\Data\COA\IP and MET' to your NEW installation 'g:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006\Data\COA\IP and MET'), where G: is the mapped drive letter for your network location.
Next, you will need to open the Preferences menu (Tools - Options - Preferences) and change the path for the COADir located in the section called Other Location Specificatons to the mapped network drive letter and path your custom unit cost libraries are located at.
Keywords: Copy, Unit Cost Library, Equipment Model library, Custom pipe Specs, access, UCL, EML, custom, COA, codes of account
References: None
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Problem Statement: How can I use one open steel structure (from 'plant bulk item') to stack on another open steel structure, so that the structure at the bottom will consider the weight of structure at the top in the stress analysis?
|
Solution: Run the first structure and determine the overall weight of that structure including any equipment in it. Then adjust the floor loading of the bottom structure to account for that additional load.
Keywords:
References: None
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Problem Statement: How does Sales Test Override work in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
|
Solution: 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.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: Can I change language on PCWS menu from local to English, if I cannot modify IE settings?
|
Solution: Consider the following information for resetting the language on the PCWS when unable to modify IE settings to English.
To hard-code English as the locale for PCWS in v7.3 and later, you will need to edit the global.asa file, found in C:\Inetpub\wwwroot\AspenTech\ACOView, and modify the section shown below. The variable lang needs to be hard-coded to en-us as shown below (the line just before it is commented out):
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
'Set/Get the locale to be used for this session.
'Full language preference is passed in and parsed down to the first supported locale (that's what gets returned)
Dim lang
'lang = Request.ServerVariables(HTTP_ACCEPT_LANGUAGE)
lang = en-us
Session(currentLang) = WebMgr.SetLocale(lang)
If Err.Number <> 0 Then
Response.Redirect(Logout.asp?cancel=startfail&errmsg= & _
escape(Error + CStr(Err.Number) + : + Err.Description & _
<br>The Aspen ACP Web Data Provider Service was unable to parse the default locale information. & _
<ul><li>Check settings under: Tools - Internet Options - Languages.</ul>))
End If
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Note that this will affect the language setting for most of the web UI. However, the Adaptive Modeling plots (DataSet view and Model View - which is different form the Online tab Model view). These plots are served by a different IIS application (AtControlCharts) and cannot be changed easily.
Keywords:
References: None
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Problem Statement: I am working with a very large project. I save my project, then go to the File menu, and then select Close, the application tells me to save it to a different folder.
When I did this, the application exited out, and now, the project is completely missing.
Where did the project go? Did I lose all my work?
|
Solution: Working with very large files can be tricky. The database file (reports.mdb) and associated database files (*ProjID) can get extremely large. With files this large, the Icarus software has a difficult time compressing the files into the .SZP file and sometimes cannot complete the task.
If the project IZP is missing, there are 3 places to check to get your project estimate back:
1. The cache\Projects folder
This folder will be the last place your project files were. With v2006.5, the directory structure has changed, so the new default location for each user's cache folder is located in 'C:\Documents and Settings\user_login_name\Local Settings\Application Data\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006.5\Projects'.
Check this folder to see if the project folder is present in this directory. Typically, this directory is empty until you open a project file. If a folder is present, it means that the project you last worked on did not close properly and the files are still present and open, albeit inflated (not in IZP or SZP formats).
Just copy all the files from this folder into a manually created project and scenario folder and then open that file from your Icarus software.
2. The Backup\Projects folder
If you have the Backup feature turned on (always a good idea), you can recover your project from there. Open the 'C:\Documents and Settings\user_login_name\Local Settings\Application Data\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006.5\Backup\Projects' folder and look to see if your project estimate is there. If it is, all you need to do is copy out the IZP file and place it back into your 'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\Archives_XXX' folder.
To turn the backup feature on, go to Tools - Options - Preferences, click on the Backup tab, and make sure that there is a check mark in the box called 'Timed Backup'. Enter in the interval minutes to your desire.
3. Tape Backup
This is a last resort, of course, where you can talk to your IT department to see if they have a recent backup of your project file that they can restore for you.
Keywords: missing, disappear, disappeared, gone, save, project
References: None
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Problem Statement: How to view RTO app entries in the Production Control Web Server (PCWS) Online tab?
|
Solution: The background on this is a DMCplus Online application as a dummy app to store RTO parameters in
has been configured. This way, the RTO app parameters can be viewed in the PCWS. This is
accomplished by creating user defined entries in the DMCplus application and also creating custom
column sets and enumerations to display the RTO variables in the PCWS view.
All the work is limited to a single file that is pre-installed and should require no modification other than
renaming it.
%ProgramData%\AspenTech\APC\WebServer\Products\DMCplus\example_rto.user.display.config
Look in this file (installed on the Web server), it has the following instructions for enabling the additional
RTO column sets and enumerations:
“To enable additional Engineering View column sets for RTO including the RTO enumeration values,
rename this file from: example_rto.user.display.config to: dmcplus.user.display.config and restart
the Aspen APC Web Provider Data Service”.
Go to Configuration tab \ Column Sets and specify the entries, Category (Independent, Dependent, etc)
and Sections (Operations, Engineering: Operate, Tuning, Results, RTO Oper, RTO Engr, etc).
Then, load the DMCplus application Online server and it allows to view the entries.
Note: The default RTO Engr and RTO Oper are available on the Engineering section, to view the RTO
entries on the Operations section add them using the Column Set procedure mentioned previously.
Keywords: PCWS, RTO, Watch
References: None
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Problem Statement: What could be the reason causing DMCplus controller to not show in the Aspen Production Control Web server (PCWS) even though they are properly loaded and visible in Aspen APC Manage?
|
Solution: When the Aspen DMCplus online tools (Aspen APC Manage) and Aspen Production Control Web Server are installed on separate servers, situations might arise when PCWS does not show/recognize the online controllers applications. There could be multiple reasons for online applications not available in PCWS. Some of these are discussed below:
1. PCWS not pointing to correct DMC server host:
If there are multiple DMC servers being monitored using a single PCWS, it could be possible that an incorrect host name was specified when configuring the PCWS. This is easily confirmed by navigating to the Configuration tag (Site Wide Settings page) and checking the names of all the DMCplus hosts being monitored using this server. If an incorrect server name has been specified, you would see a yellow status for the host indicating bad connectivity. Correcting the host name and saving the setting (Apply button) would most likely fix this problem and switch the status to green.
2. Specific services not running
If even after specifying the correct DMC online server host machine name, the status does not turn on green, check the services panel to ensure the data services for the specific online applications are started and running. List of the data services are below:
Online Server
- Aspen APC DMC plus data service
- Aspen APC Inferential qualities data service
- Aspen APC Non-linear controller data service
PCWS
- AspenTech Production Control RTE service
Restarting these services might restore connections.
3. Incorrect security/permissions at the PCWS machine or DMC plus online server:
In a typical setup, one of the machines should be identified as the AFW security server. PCWS is usually the machine selected for this role because the basic requirements (e.g. IIS) are already available on this server. All other online machines 'pushing' information to the PCWS should align their AFW server URL to this PCWS server.
another possibility includes the incorrect access configuration at the PCWS server. It could be possible that only a particular user is unable to view the controllers online. This could be because the user has not been provided sufficient privileges to access the controllers. It is easy to check whether the issue is caused by incorrect permissions being granted to the user by navigating to the “User Summary” link found in the left hand Navigation column in the Configuration tab. Screen capture below for reference:
4. Corrupted security database
KB article 137645 describes in details about how to fix a corrupted RTE security node using AFW Security Manager.
5. System time on PCWS and DMCplus servers are out-of-sync
If the system times of the two machines differ by more than 5 min (example PCWS- 3:45 pm; APC- 3:30 pm), it becomes difficult for the WCF protocol to communicate between the DMC and PCWS machines, resulting in a “Yellow” globe for the host status on the Site Wide Settings page. Changing the system clock on either of the machines such that the time difference becomes less than 5 mins should solve the issue. Sometimes in such situations it is best to use a common domain controller system clock to sync all servers used for APC applications..
Keywords: Controller Invisible
DMCplus Online
PCWS
References: None
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Problem Statement: How does the setting DonotRestartForecastWhenRestrictionViolated work?
|
Solution: This setting relates to the forecast as viewed in the Replenishment Planner. If you are viewing the forecast in the Replenishment Planner, and you reforecast a station, you will be warned if one of the orders cannot respect the delivery window restriction. Without this ini setting turned on, ALL of the orders, even the ones before this one that violated the delivery window restriction, would be reforecast ignoring all delivery windows. With this ini setting set to 1, the forecast will simply violate the delivery restrictions for the deliveries AFTER the one in which it originally could not find a viable order with the constraints in place.
The benefit of this setting is that frequently it is an order several days in the future that the current forecast is taking into account that may not be able to make the delivery window restriction. As that date gets closer, oftentimes the ability to avoid violating the constraint may come up and the system may be able to operate without effectively ever violating the delivery constraints for this customer.
Additionally, with this ini setting on, the Forecast will mark the orders which violated the constraints with a small v after the orders. This allows a quick clue to the dispatcher which orders may be problematic.
Keywords: DonotRestartForecastWhenRestrictionViolated
References: None
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Problem Statement: How can a user change the ini settings for their installation of AFO in V73?
|
Solution: In V73, the ini settings have been moved to the database. This allows for much simpler system maintenance for IT departments. These settings can be modified by going to the main AFO screen and going under the Utilities\Settings menu option. If this option is grayed out to the user, it can be activated in the Security Settings Utility by the system administrator if this does not conflict with company policy.
Keywords: Ini Settings, Customize.ini
References: None
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Problem Statement: What is the double wall flag in the truck set up used for?
|
Solution: The Double Walls Flag specifies where double walls exist between compartments. A selected compartment Double Wall check box indicates the existence of a double wall. When the user identifies the location of a double wall, the software automatically creates Diesel Compartment Groups.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: Where are the .ini configurations in V7.3?
|
Solution: All of the settings and parameters which were previously stored in the three primary configuration files (Customize.ini, Internal.ini, and Services.ini) are now kept within the Fleet Optimizer database. Two new tables, TPS_CONFIG_PARAMS and TPS_CONFIG_ENTRY, are added to store the parameter values used by individual users of the Fleet Optimizer. This part describes the purpose of these two tables.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: When looking at PCWS under the history tab, I only see plots and reports. I see no AspenWatch installations.
|
Solution: This is usually caused by a mis-configuration of ADSA. Insure that ADSA is pointing at the correct computer. The ADSA server that is being used by the PCWS should be pointing to the AspenWatch server. Check the hostname in all configured services.
Also, Insure that Aspen Process Subscription (GCS) is one of the configured services. This is frequently left out because it is not normally necessary for AspenWatch except for use by the PCWS.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: When attempting to run Interactive Reports, I get the following message:
running reports - update query error - error -2147217865: The Microsoft Jet database engine cannot find the table or query 'A'. Make sure it exists and that its name is spelled correctly.
|
Solution: The problem here is that the Microsoft ODBC database drivers and files have become corrupted, which is not allowing the Interactive Reports to run.
When the Icarus reporter begins to run the Interactive reports, it reads from the *ProjID.txt files and imports them into the reports selected.
There is a file called Odbcjt32.dll, and it is the core Microsoft Access ODBC driver DLL. This DLL exports all of the ODBC API functions used by an ODBC client application. When you use Odbcjt32.dll from ODBC, it loads and uses either Msjet35.dll or Msjet40.dll (Jet 3.5 or Jet 4.0) to manipulate the Access database.
It is recommended that one try to re-register this file as it is one of major players in the ODBC functions.
There are other DLLs shown in the ODBC Data Source Administrator Tool, and it is a good idea to re-register those files too. (There are a LOT of files that start with ?odbc? in the c:\windows\system32 folder?..not sure if re-registering those will help, but it can?t hurt).
If re-registering these files do not work, it may be a good idea to highlight the MS Access Database, and select the ?REMOVE? button, then reinstall MDAC 2.8 and Jet 4.0.
In order to fix or reinstall MDAC, use this link from the Microsoft Knowledgebase: is, there are a couple of options to try: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/899861
If you experience errors when trying to install MDAC, it could be that your Microsoft Windows version is not Genuine.
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/WhyValidate.aspx?familyid=6c050fe3-c795-4b7d-b037-185d0506396c&displaylang=en. Click on this link and click on the button called Validate Windows. It would be a good idea to run the ?Validate Office? button as well.
FYI note: The MDAC installation is only available to those users who run a Genuine Windows version.
There are some users that had similar installation problems, and this is what some users did to fix it:
The following tool Fixed the ado problems for me, and I did not have to reinstall MDAC.
Just run the CSrepair.exe and click on Re-register. It looks like it?s a way to repair your MDAC installation.
Note, This tool was not created by AspenTech, USE AT YOUR OWN RISK: http://www.macropool.de/download/CSRepair.exe.
If neither of these suggestions fixes the problems, you will have to reload Windows, and all service packs and critical patches.
Keywords: Jet, database, engine, input, table, query, -2147217865, repair, report, reports, interactive, standard reports
References: None
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Problem Statement: When entering the pipe diameter, should the inside diameter or outside diameter be used?
|
Solution: Please use the NOMINAL diameter.
The only time to specify Inside or Outside Diameter is when using Towers or Vessels, where you will see a Diameter Option at the bottom of the form called 'Diameter Option':
Additional information:
When referring to pipe size for commercial pipe, one will be referring to the 'Nominal Pipe Size' which may or may not be the same size as the Outside Diameter. Its outside diameter (OD) will vary with the thickness of its walls. This is especially true as material change, and differing wall thicknesses of pipe.
Also, the inside diameters (ID) of pipe vary. For example, a half inch pipe is neither a half inch on the inside nor the outside, but it is still called a half inch pipe based on the Nominal size.
For pipe sizes up to 14 inches:
The nominal size is not always equal to the outside diameter.
Ex: When one refers to 6 pipe, this is called the nominal pipe size, but the actual outside diameter (OD) of 6 pipe is 6.625. So technically, 6 standard pipe will have an OD of 6.625 (not 6). The Inside Diameter of this pipe will vary based on the schedule (i.e. wall thickness).
For pipe sizes 14 inches and above:
The nominal size equals the outside diameter.
Ex: When one refers to 24 pipe, this is the nominal size and outside diameter.
Keywords: paint, calculate, area pipe, pipe, area, nominal, inside, outside, diameter
References: None
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Problem Statement: How do I access my custom P&IDs that I created in a previous version? With the new version of Kbase installed, I don't see my custom P&IDs.
|
Solution: The custom P&ID user libraries are stored in the ?c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus x.x\Data\PIDs\Drawings? folder.
This directory structure has not changed from previous versions.
to access your custom P&ID drawings:
1. COPY the CONTENTS from your previous version of Kbase (ex: ?c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2004.2\Data\PIDs\Drawings? folder).
2. PASTE the contents to the newly installed Kbase version (ex: ?c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006\Data\PIDs\Drawings? folder?).
Also, it is important to remember, that if you have custom Line Size Equations associated with ANY of these custom P&IDs, you will also need to copy those equations over from your previous Aspen Kbase version.
copying Custom Line Size equations is documented inSolution document 116489. http://support.aspentech.com/webteamcgi/SolutionDisplay_view.cgi?key=116489
Keywords: PID, P&ID, custom, line size, line, new, copy, transfer, access
References: None
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Problem Statement: Production Control Web Server keeps hanging.
|
Solution: 121142 - PCWS Trouble Shooting Guide
Please seeSolution 121142 - PCWS Trouble Shooting Guide
for the latest, comprehensive information for Production Control Web Server Issues.
Keywords:
References: None
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Problem Statement: Getting an error message Corba Viewserver is Deadlocked in the Production Control Web Server (PCWS) messages. PCWS still seems to be functioning normally. Is this a problem?
|
Solution: applies to AMS 6.0.1 ER2 and later.
Keywords: deadlocked
Corba
Viewserver
PCWS
References: None
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Problem Statement: Where can I find information on performing message suppression on PCWS?
Specifically, How to suppress specific DMCplus messages on PCWS?
|
Solution: The information for carrying out message suppression on PCWS is available in the WebView Help. You can navigate to the specific page by following the directions provided below-
1. Open the WebView and make sure the Online tab, Message page is active.
2. Click on the Help file link found on the top-right corner of the page to open up the Messages View help window.
3. Scroll to the very bottom of the Message View page and click on the Message Suppression link found in the See also section to open up the Message Suppression help.
Keywords: Message Suppression
PCWS
WebViewer
dmcplus.message.config
References: None
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Problem Statement: PCWS stops working with Service Unavailable message
After some time, Internet Explorer stops updating and forcing a refresh of the PCWS web page results in a blank page with the message: Service Unavailable. This is caused by the Worker Process Recycling mechanism that is enabled by default in IIS 6.
Applicable Version(s):
PCWS a2004.x, a2006.x (only on Windows 2003 Server)
|
Solution: To prevent this problem, disable the Recycling mechanism for the DefaultAppPool of IIS on the Aspen production Control Web Server machine as follows:
1. On the PCWS server, choose Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager from the Administrative Tools menu.
2. Expand the (local computer) and Application Pools nodes.
3. Right-click on DefaultAppPool and choose Properties.
4. On the Recycle Tab, make sure all checkboxes are un-checked, then click OK.
This will prevent IIS from recycling the PCWS web application and causing the Service Unavailable error. It should be noted however that IIS processes can become fragmented or grow in memory after long periods without recycling. This can lead to slow web server performance. However, in recent testing the a2006 version of PCWS seems to cause minimal problems of this nature. It is good practice to monitor the web server memory usage for the following processes related to PCWS: w3wp.exe, acoviewdp.exe and AfwSecCliSvc.exe.
Keywords: PCWS
service unavailable
webserver
Production Control Web Server
References: None
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Problem Statement: How can I model a square steel tank in Aspen Capital Cost Estimator?
|
Solution: Aspen Capital Cost Estimator does not have a model for square steel tanks. As a work around, you can either use the Equipment Model Library or Unit Cost Library. You will need to know the costing data to use either of these approaches.
Keywords:
References: None
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Problem Statement: Can I configure the number of messages in the Aspen Production Control Web Server?
|
Solution: The number of messages persisted on the online server depends on the disk file size allocated for the Event Logs: Aspen RTE, Aspen DMCplus, etc. You can use the event viewer and set the Maximum Log Size property of these custom event logs. It is recommended that you check the Overwrite events as needed option so that events continue to get logged after the maximum log size is reached.
On the PCWS server, you need to change the maxMessagesTotal setting in the Program Files (x86)/AspenTech/APC/Web Server/bin/WebDataProviderSvc.exe.config file, which has a default value of 20000. You will need to open this file using Notepad.exe with Run as Administrator permissions to make the change and restart the Aspen APC Web Data Provider Service for the change to take effect.
Keywords: event logs
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 Data Quality Manager and Forecasting operations 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 before planning, scheduling, and dispatching activities. This is a valuable easy tool that dispatchers should review every day.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: What would cause metered sales to not run correctly in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
|
Solution: A station's status must meet the following requirements. Otherwise, its
Metered Sales Records are not recognized by the Metered Sales NT Service.
The current hour must be after the station's fuel-sales starting time (stations.SALESSTART).
It must be the first time that the Metered Sales NT Service processes this station for the day; that is StationInfo.METEREDSALES must be 0. All the products of the station must be valid.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: Where are customized plots saved in the web viewer?
|
Solution: When you save a customized plot XML file, by default it is saved locally on your web client PC. To make the saved plot available from the PCWS NavBar, you must save the file on the PCWS server under inetpub\wwwroot\AspenTech\ACOView\Plots.
Keywords: PCWS, plot, web server, Aspen Watch, xml
References: None
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Problem Statement: Model gains for Ramp and Pseudo Ramp variable on PCWS display can be DMCplus Model.
|
Solution: Ramp and Pseudo Ramp do not have steady state and do not have process gain. So, on model display rate of change (per minute) of the last two model coefficients are shown. But, on PCWS display difference between the last two model coefficients is shown. So, they can be different.
Keywords: gain, ramp, pseudo ramp, PCWS
References: None
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Problem Statement: Pull down or drop down menus are showing up empty when using an external monitor with a laptop, or if using 2 monitors (dual monitors) to display the applications running on the computer.
|
Solution: There are few ways of making an external monitor or dual-monitor configuration to work:
OPTION 1: Check the Settings Display.
Right-click anywhere on your desktop, select Properties, and choose Settings. This will list the type of display that is being used for the type of monitor and the video card being used.
Does your display properties show Multiple monitors being used? You will see a picture of 2 monitors, one of which will be the Primary monitor, indicated by a number 1.
In order for the pull down menus, or drop down menus, to function properly, the Primary monitor, must be the LARGER monitor picture with the number 1 in it.
If the primary monitor looks like this:
Then, you will need to change Monitor 1, to be in Monitor 2's place.
Basically, the Icarus application needs to be shown in the Primary monitor (number 1) for the drop down menus (or pull down menus) to function properly.
OPTION 2: Update video card drivers from your Video Card Manufacturer.
Many times this will fix the problem.
OPTION 3: Disable the Dual Monitor (or Multiple monitor) function.
This will immediately fix the pull down/drop down menu problem.
To disable the Dual Monitor option:
a. Change the Settings Display. Right-click anywhere on your desktop, select Properties, and choose Settings. This will list the type of display that is being used for the type of monitor and the video card being used.
b. Change the Display to single monitor, or select to turn off the screen divider application.
Keywords: Menu, monitor, external, secondary, drop down, pull down
References: None
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Problem Statement: I am working with a very large project. I save my project, then go to the File menu, and then select Close, the application tells me to save it to a different folder.
When I did this, the application exited out, and now, the project is completely missing.
Where did the project go? Did I lose all my work?
|
Solution: Working with very large files can be tricky. The database file (reports.mdb) and associated database files (*ProjID) can get extremely large. With files this large, the Icarus software has a difficult time compressing the files into the .SZP file and sometimes cannot complete the task.
If the project IZP is missing, there are 3 places to check to get your project estimate back:
1. The ic_cache\Projects folder
This folder will be the last place your project files were. Open the 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006\ic_cache\Projects' folder and see if the project folder is present in this directory. Typically, this directory is empty until you open a project file. If a folder is present, it means that the project you last worked on did not close properly and the files are still present and open, albeit inflated (not in IZP or SZP formats).
Just copy all the files from this folder into a manually created project and scenario folder and then open that file from your Icarus software.
2. The Backup\Projects folder
If you have the Backup feature turned on (always a good idea), you can recover your project from there. Open the 'c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006\ic_cache\Backup\Projects' folder and look to see if your project estimate is there. If it is, all you need to do is copy out the IZP file and place it back into your 'D:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2006\Data\Archives_XXX\Project Name' folder.
To turn the backup feature on, go to Tools - Options - Preferences, click on the Backup tab, and make sure that there is a check mark in the box called 'Timed Backup'. Enter in the interval minutes to your desire.
3. Tape Backup
This is a last resort, of course, where you can talk to your IT department to see if they have a recent backup of your project file that they can restore for you.
Keywords: missing, disappear, disappeared, gone, save, project
References: None
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Problem Statement: Does Aspen Fleet Optimizer V7.3 support Microsoft MapPoint 2010 and 2011?
|
Solution: Microsoft MapPoint 2010 and 2011 are not supported with Aspen Fleet Optimizer V7.3 and its prior releases. MapPoint 2009 is the only version that is supported with Aspen Fleet Optimizer V7.3.
Keywords: MapPoint 2010 MapPoint 2011 Microsoft MapPoint
References: None
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Problem Statement: How to filter/hide variable groups from the NavBar on the online pages without deleting them through the Group Definitions settings in the Configuration tab...
|
Solution: DISCLAMER: ThisSolution requires a JavaScript code modification to the standard installed product, which, of course is not officially supported. Please use at your own risk and keep a backup copy of any files modified.
The example listed below is considering that you want to filter/hide all variable groups that begin with the same initial string. Example: TEST_1, TEST_2, ....
IMPORTANT NOTE: Remember to re-apply this change whenever a patch is applied that updates the LIBCODE.asp file. Additionally, if you have variable groups that begin with TEST_ for an application that you do need to display in the NavBar, then this code will not prevent that.
The fix...
Add the following 2 lines of code to the file: c:\inetpub\wwwroot\AspenTech\ACOView\LIBCODE.asp
//TEST View Customization to hide any variable groups beginning with TEST_
if (addgroup && (groupname.toUpperCase().indexOf(TEST_) == 0)) addgroup = false;
The location within this file is as follows (search for Hide test groups if):
//Hide test group groups if not in SmartStep mode
var addgroup = true;
if ((apptype == 0 || (1 == Session(NewWebProvider) && apptype == 6)) && (appmode == 0) && groupname.toUpperCase().indexOf(TGR:) == 0) addgroup = false;
//TEST View Customization to hide any variable groups beginning with TEST_
if (addgroup && (groupname.toUpperCase().indexOf(TEST_) == 0)) addgroup = false;
if (addgroup && hidegrps && ause == 0) addgroup = false;
Keywords: Filter variable groups, WebViewer, PCWS
References: None
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Problem Statement: How does Aspen Fleet Optimizer calculate the retain point?
|
Solution: Once a shipment is matched to a transport, AFO can then determine when the matched shipment can fit in a customer?s tanks. The point in time when a matched shipment can first fit is known as the retain point. The retain point is calculated by forecasting when a customer?s tanks will be sufficiently empty to hold each of the products ordered on the shipment. The latest of these times is the time when all products on the shipment can be held in the customer?s tanks. This is the retain point.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How can I use Table EXPERT with an MPIMS model?
|
Solution: Table EXPERT is only executed for a case if the Table is attached to the model tree and the EXPERT keyword resides in the designated case. For MPIMS, if you want a global Table EXPERT to be activated, then the table must be on the the global model tree and the EXPERT keyword must be in the global case.
For a local Table EXPERT to be obeyed (from an MPIMS model), then you must put the EXPERT keyword in a local case and then from the global case table, use the MODEL keyword to reference that local case. Of course table EXPERT must also be attached to the local model tree.
Note that the use of the EXPERT keyword will always prompt a matrix generation. It may be preferable to remove Table EXPERT and instead use logic directly in the case table to speed up run times by avoiding the matrix generation.
Keywords: EXPERT, MPIMS, MODEL
References: None
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Problem Statement: I have a model that has a crude and vacuum tower both built automatically by PIMS and I would like to report the volume and weight capacities of both. My configuration also allows some atmospheric residue (AR1) to be sent to downstream units rather than to the vacuum column.
In T.ASSAYS, there is a capacity row that captures capacity for the crude column in barrels using the crude specific conversion factor. I have tried adding a row that captures capacity of the vacuum column - also in barrels. The problem is that this row shows the volume of the atmospheric residue produced, not necessarily consumed at the vacuum unit as it may have other dispositions.
How can I modify the model so that it only shows the barrels going through the vacuum column?
|
Solution: You would need to create a structure in table ROWS that picks up the exact amount of atmospheric residue that goes to the PIMS built Vacuum Tower.
Based on the example of our Weight Sample model those rates would be represented by columns SCD1A!1 and SCD2A!2 in the matrix.
* TABLE
ROWS
*
User Defined Rows
TEXT
FIX
SCD1A!1
SCD2A!2
***
*
WBALLOS
Loss
1
WBALH2S
Hydrogen Sulfide
1
EBALAR1
AR1 to VDU 1
-1
EBALAR2
AR2 to VDU 2
-1
***
After that you would need to build a submodel having two (again based on our weight sample model) columns driven by the corresponding E-rows from the table rows. These columns need to be named as the atmospheric residue tag (here AR1 and AR2).
There is also need for two additional columns and two more E-rows: New E-rows should have an intersection with AR1 and AR2 and should pick up their SPG via -999. The other end of the new E-row should be an intersection with a new column. This column may also contain then an intersection with capacity row. This is how it would look in our weight based sample:
* TABLE
SVAC
*
Vacuum Tower Capacity, BPD
TEXT
AR1
VD1
AR2
VD2
***
*
CCAPVU1
Vac Tower 1, BPD
0.15867
EBALAR1
AR1 To VDU 1
1
ESPVVD1
AR1 SPV driver
-999
1
*
CCAPVU2
Vac Tower 2, BPD
0.15867
EBALAR2
AR2 To VDU 2
1
ESPVVD2
AR2 SPV driver
-999
1
***
Using MPSPROB matrix analyzer for the intersection of CCAPVT1 should show you the exact column names in your specific model.
Another way of checking the PIMS built structure is to turn on CRUDEXLS option under Model Settings / General / Miscellaneous. !SCR1, !SCR2 etc. Excel workbooks will be created showing PIMS built structure.
Keywords: Reporting
Weight
PIMS built vacuum unit
Type 2 cuts
Volume
Vacuum tower capacity in barrels
References: None
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Problem Statement: How is safety stock used in Aspen Fleet Optimizer?
|
Solution: The Safety Stock refers to the functionality that allows the user to enter the amount of product by tank that the user would like to consider as “safety stock” or the absolute minimum of product that should always be kept on hand for that particular tank. Aspen Fleet Optimizer uses the greater amount (pump stop or safety stock) when deciding how much product should be left in the tank.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How does Aspen Fleet Optimizer V7.3 control updates of sales and inventory for future dates?
|
Solution: A new setting is added to restrict the ability to enter sales and inventory information to 1 and 2 days respectively in the future.
Keywords: None
References: None
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Problem Statement: How do I increase the script timeout for the data transfer from the online server to the Aspen Production Control Web Server (PWCS)?
|
Solution: You will want to consider on the DMCplus machine, dmcp_datapump.exe.config found in Program Files\aspentech\apc\aconline\bin. Reset the Operation timeout in seconds to 180. Then restart the Aspen DMCplus Data Service.
On the webserver you will want to consider changing the webdataprovidersvc.config found in the AspenTech\APC\Webserver\bin folder. Reset the Operation timeout in seconds to 180. Then restart the Aspen APC Web Data Provider Service.
Make sure the Aspen Aco View Data Provider is not running, this is used for Dais and shouldn't be running when using WCF. Also confirm on the DMcplus machine that the dmcp_viewsrv is not running. This should be stopped with the .bat file in the AspenTech Shared directory. Also, the autostartlist.txt should be modified to eliminate these processes from starting up on a boot of the machine or an ACO Base Startup.
Solution 131200 discusses this practice.
Keywords:
References: None
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Problem Statement: I ran my estimate, and in the Capital Cost Errors window, I see an INFO > message. What does this mean? Do I have an error that I need to fix?
|
Solution: The INFO message is an informational message to the estimator to check to make sure that the data entered is correct, or that an item is not missing.
For example, one might receive this INFO message when specifying an AREA as a building:
INFO > 'U1 - 1' DETAIL DATA MUST ALSO BE SPECIFIED ON A BLDG-CARD
IN ORDER TO GENERATE THE BUILDING ITSELF
In this INFO message, it tells the estimator that in order to generate a cost for a building, a building must be added to that are for a building to be generated.
Keywords: INFO
References: None
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Problem Statement: Is it possible to suppress / manage Aspen IQ messages in the PCWS?
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Solution: Managing Aspen IQ messages is not possible as they are configured differently that DMCplus messages. DMCplus has a file message.dat that contains messages that can be suppressed and even redefined or translated. Aspen IQ however does not have such a file and therefore there is no way to latch, or modify the messages. Also, messages provided to the Production Control Web Server are not provided in the same manner as the data, so modifying the configuration of the Dais Trader will not affect the messages either.
Keywords: aspen iq, messages, pcws, iqview
References: None
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Problem Statement: The Evaluate and P&ID buttons are grey (not active) for the pipeline segment component. How can I evaluate this pipeline segment or see the P&ID?
|
Solution: Pipeline segments (by design) will not allow item evaluation. This is because all pipeline segments need to refer back to its pipeline area specs to finish computation.
Additionally, there are no P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation drawings) available for pipeline segments in the Kbase software. As a result, the P&ID button will be grey (not active) as well.
Pipeline segments can only be used if you specified your project as a Pipeline project in Aspen Kbase's General Project Data in the Project Basis, upon the start of your Kbase project.
Keywords: pipeline, segment, pipeline area, grey, gray, active, greyed, grayed
References: None
|
Problem Statement: When Data Qulaity Manager writes to the History table what type of bind variables are used?
|
Solution: In the DQM module, we use the following query :
UPDATE history SET STATNUM=:1,DATE_=:2,INVDATE=:3,INVHOUR=:4,INVMIN=:5,INV1=
:6,INV2=:7,INV3=:8,INV4=:9,INV5=:10,SALES1=:11,SALES2=:12,SALES3=:13,SALES4=
:14,SALES5=:15,EXPECTED1=:16,EXPECTED2=:17,EXPECTED3=:18,EXPECTED4=:19,
EXPECTED5=:20,PROJECTED1=:21,PROJECTED2=:22,PROJECTED3=:23,PROJECTED4=:24,
PROJECTED5=:25,INVTYPE=:26,EXCEPTION=:27,EXCEPTIONID=:28,INVENTORYEXPECTED1=
:29,INVENTORYEXPECTED2=:30,INVENTORYEXPECTED3=:31,INVENTORYEXPECTED4=:32, INVENTORYEXPECTED5=:33 WHERE STATNUM=:34 AND DATE_=:35
The bind variables for the 35 parameters is as follows:
:1 SQL_C_DOUBLE
:2 SQL_C_TIMESTAMP
:3 SQL_C_TIMESTAMP
:4 SQL_C_SHORT
:5 SQL_C_SHORT
:6 SQL_C_LONG
:7 SQL_C_LONG
:8 SQL_C_LONG
:9 SQL_C_LONG
:10 SQL_C_LONG
:11 SQL_C_LONG
:12 SQL_C_LONG
:13 SQL_C_LONG
:14 SQL_C_LONG
:15 SQL_C_LONG
:16 SQL_C_LONG
:17 SQL_C_LONG
:18 SQL_C_LONG
:19 SQL_C_LONG
:20 SQL_C_LONG
:21 SQL_C_LONG
:22 SQL_C_LONG
:23 SQL_C_LONG
:24 SQL_C_LONG
:25 SQL_C_LONG
:26 SQL_C_SHORT
:27 SQL_C_TCHAR
:28 SQL_C_SHORT
:29 SQL_C_LONG
:30 SQL_C_LONG
:31 SQL_C_LONG
:32 SQL_C_LONG
:33 SQL_C_LONG
:34 SQL_C_DOUBLE
:35 SQL_C_TIMESTAMP
Keywords: None
References: None
|
Problem Statement: Aspen Production Control Web Server (PCWS) won't open / failed to create object secureapps.xml / Using copied afwdb.mdb
PCWS has been installed, and the afwdb.mdb file in the Program Files / AspenTech / Local Security / Access97 directory has been renamed, to something like afwdb_original.mdb. An afwdb.mdb is then copied from another Aspen Frame Work - AFW security server that has already been configured.
The AFW Security Manager opens and the roles and permissions and members are visible.
You will notice that the AFW Security Client tool opens, but the Advanced Options, and the Refresh Cache buttons generate a run time error 91.
When an attempt is made to open the PCWS applications, it reports that the session has been terminated, the acoviewdp.exe is not running and the error failed to create object secureapps.xml is given.
|
Solution: TheSolution to the issue, is to use the original afwdb.mdb file, on the first time to open the PCWS web application. Once the PCWS has been successfully opened with the default roles and permissions as configured by the application, the application can be closed. You can now go to the Access97 folder and rename the original afwdb.mdb and put the desired afwdb.mdb in the folder. Open a new instance of the PCWS and the desired afwdb.mdb file will be used.
If you go into AFW Security Manager, you will be able to see and modify the roles and permissions and the AFW Security Client Tools can now be used as designed.
Keywords: Production Control Web Server, crashes, open
References: None
|
Problem Statement: How do I access my custom P&IDs that I created in a previous version? With the new version of Aspen Kbase v2006.5 installed, I do not see my custom P&IDs.
|
Solution: The custom P&ID user libraries are now stored in the 'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\PIDs\Drawings' folder.
This directory structure has changed from previous versions.
To access your custom P&ID drawings:
1. COPY the CONTENTS from your previous version of Kbase (ex: ?c:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Icarus 2004.2\Data\PIDs\Drawings? folder).
2. PASTE the contents to the newly installed Kbase version (ex: 'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AspenTech\Shared Aspen Icarus 2006.5 Files\PIDs\Drawings' folder?).
It is important to remember, that if you have custom Line Size Equations associated with ANY of these custom P&IDs, you will also need to copy those equations over from your previous Aspen Kbase version.
copying Custom Line Size equations is documented inSolution document 116489. http://support.aspentech.com/webteamcgi/SolutionDisplay_view.cgi?key=116489
Keywords: PID, P&ID, custom, line size, line, new, copy, transfer, access
References: None
|
Problem Statement: How do I troubleshoot the Aspen Production Control Web Server when it is showing a HTTP 500 error?
|
Solution: 1. Make sure there is no an a??Application Namea??, Variable Name nor Variable Group Name (e.g. All Variables, Independents, Dependents, etc.) in your applications that have invalid characters for XML attributes. The variable/group names cannot have the following 5 characters: & < > '
2. Make sure also that you don't have any unloaded DMCplus or IQ apps. If you do, then you should delete them. (Go to the Online Tab / Manage Tab)
3. Check the user-defined plot group names (look in file: %ProgramData%\AspenTech\APC\Web Server\Config\UserProfile.config)
Look for plotgroup sections like the following and remove any invalid characters for name= attributes:
<plotgroups>
<plotgroup name=abc>
<item name=FIC-2001 type=ind host=TEST appname=COL5X3_FAST apptypeid=0 />
<item name=AI-2020 type=dep host=TEST appname=COL5X3_FAST apptypeid=0 />
</plotgroup>
</plotgroups>
4. If it is still showing the HTTP 500 error, then a trial a??n error process should be done to find the failing controller.
For example, leta??s suppose there are n-numbers of DMCplus and IQ apps in n-numbers of hosts.
A? In the PCWS Configuration tab remove an Aspen IQ Host line; restart the Aspen APC Web Provider Data Service.
A? Go to the Online Tab and try to view a plot. If the error continues, repeat this procedure with the following IQ Host line (if it applies).
A? In the PCWS Configuration tab remove an Aspen DMCplus Host line; restart the Aspen APC Web Provider Data Service.
A? Go to the Online Tab and try to view a plot. If the error continues, repeat this procedure with the following DMCplus Host line (if it applies).
A? This procedure has to be done until the culprit appears. Another way can be delete all the hosts and add one by one.
A? Once the culprit host is identified, the errant controller has to be found.
A? Edit the Security option (Security Settings) adding manually the misbehaving host (if it applies).
A? After unchecking all the Role boxes of the top section, register the first application of that host and try to view a plot. If the error continues, repeat this procedure with the following application.
A? This procedure has to be done until the culprit app appears. Another way can be to delete all the apps and add one by one.
A? Once the application is identified, revise the configuration file (ccf or iqf). If there are the following characters & < > ' / (slash symbol added) please edit them.
A? IMPORTANT: All the Security Settings changes or any other different when starting the error a??na?? trial test should be undone, after this restart Web Provider Data Service.
=====================================================================================
If using a 64bits machine please refer toSolution 132611 - How can I get the Aspen Production Control Web Server / Aspen Framework to open when it is getting a HTTP 500 error?
ReviewSolution 134267 How do I manually download and register when permissions prevent download of plotting components?
If all the suggestions have been tried and no improvement is seen, please go toSolution 135448 How can I generate messaging for HTTP 500 - Internal server errors? and send us the files.
Keywords: Production Controller Web Server, Plots, History Plot, 500 Error
References: None
|
Problem Statement: Procedure for limiting online hosts visibility from PCWS
|
Solution: There is an undocumented method for limiting which online hosts a particular PCWS server can communicate with. Here is an explanation of the feature using the following scenario.
Suppose you have two machines running DMCplus controllers for say FCC and Crude units respectively. Let?s say the names of these machines are FCCOnline and CrudeOnline. Now, you also have two PCWS server machines, namely FCCWeb and CrudeWeb for the two units. If you wanted to limit the PCWS servers to only communicate with their corresponding online machine, then you can do so using the following steps.
On FCCWeb Machine, use regedt32 to define a registry (string) value named TRADERLOOKUPCONSTRAINT and set its value to ?NodeName == ?FCCOnline?? . The registry key needs to be defined in the ?HKLM\Software\AspenTech\ACO View? location. This constraint affects the list of online hosts returned by the DAIS Trader to the PCWS DataProvider. Only the Trader Offers (as seen in the TrMan program) that satisfy the constraint will be reported.
Similarly, to limit the CrudeWeb PCWS machine to only show PCWS controllers, you need to set the TRADERLOOKUPCONSTRAINT registry value to ?NodeName == ?CrudeOnline??. Note that in aspenONE v7.2 or greater the location for the above registry key will be ?HKLM\Software\AspenTech\Aspen APC Web Server?.
Keywords:
References: None
|
Problem Statement: Controller Master On/Off switch and status fields becomes blank on Online-Overview tab and Controller Detail window.
|
Solution: Name of user defined entry ONREQnnn and ONSTSnnn should be changed to ccONREQccc and cccONSTSccc.
nnn : number
ccc: characters other than number
There are many entries such as FMOV, GMULT, STRCV,PDEPC etc have numeric suffix and those entries properties are identified after stripping out the numeric suffix. User defined entries which name is pre-defined entry + numeric suffix is confused with pre-defined entry. Following is the example
No Good : ONREQ1, ONSTS1, ONREQ001, ONSTS011
Good : XONREQ, MONSTS, ONREQ_001, ONSTS_29
Keywords: MASTER
ONREQ
ONSTS
References: None
|
Problem Statement: Where is Aspen Decision Analyzer and Aspen Icarus Project Scheduler in the v2006 release?
|
Solution: Both Aspen Decision Analyzer and Aspen Icarus Project Scheduler have been subsumed into Aspen Kbase v2006.
Keywords: IPS, Analyzer, Decision, project scheduler, 2006
References: None
|
Problem Statement: The new 2006.5 release includes additional 'mappings' of Icarus equipment models to Zyqad Equipment Objects, but this information was inadvertently left out of the Aspen Icarus' Release Notes in the What's New section.
|
Solution: Below is the list of Aspen Icarus - Zyqad model mappings. This information will also be made available in the Aspen Icarus v2006.5 CP1 Release Notes.
The same information is also in the attached Excel spreadsheet.
Keywords: mappings, Icarus, Kbase, Zyqad, mapping, map, model, models
References: None
|
Problem Statement: A common task when handling any Aspen PIMS model is the definition or modification of formula or specification blends. You might be faced with the following questions:
What are the necessary steps to define a Specification of Formula Blend?
What assumptions are made when blending products?
Which reports show the results of the blended products?
|
Solution: Procedure to set up a Specification of Formula Blend
1. Go to the Aspen PIMS model tree, open table BLENDS from the Blending tree branch. In this table, the 3-character tags listed as rows are the blends. An entry of 1 under column SPEC indicates it is a specification blend, a 1 under column FORM indicates a formula blend.
In the example below, SPC will be our new specification blend, FRM will be the new formula blend.
2. Once the new blends are defined, the next step is to indicate the components that are allowed to go to these blends.
This is done in table BLNMIX: the rows list the 3 character tags of the available blend components, the column names are the list of blends defined in table BLENDS.
For specification blends, this is the mapping table between components and blends. An entry of 1 in a cell indicates that that component will be evaluated for that blend; it might not be used if it is not convenient. The components listed here must be produced in the process units, purchased or they could be blends themselves.
For formula blends, the fraction entered in the cells is the volume fraction (in a volume based model) or the weight fraction (in a weight based model) of a component in a blend. This is ALL the information needed to set up a formula blend; no other table is involved.
The example below shows the use of table BLNMIX:
3. For specification blends, it is necessary to define the property specifications. At least one specification is required.
Table BLNSPEC is used for this purpose: the rows in this table will be of the types Nprp (MIN property specification), Xprp (MAX property specification)or Pprp (for reporting purposes only), where prp stands for Property tag.
In the example below, we set up a MIN SPG and a MAX SUL specification for the blend SPC.
4. After you set up the new blends, you need to provide a destination for these blends. Most typically, they will go to sales, using table SELL, as shown below. They could also go to a submodel or even be a component of another blend.
Assumptions made for blending calculations
All blending calculations are linear and in volume, even in weight based models. To blend a property in weight (e.g. WT% oxygen content), define that property in table WSPECS, also under the Blending branch of the model tree. For non linear blending, there are several tables available like ABML, PBONUS, INTERACT, INDEX. We don't cover these tables here.
All components to a blend have defined the properties for which a specification exists. If these properties are missing, Aspen PIMS will issue a warning message and assume that the component's property value is zero, except for SPG, where it will assume a value of 1.
Reports that show the results of the blended products
The best way to review the final blending results is to go the Specification Blend section in the FullSolution report, as shown in the figure below.
For formula blends, only the volumens of the components and the blends are shown. No property is reported in this case. If you want to report properties for a formula blend, follow the instructions inSolution 113655.
Another report that shows information for blends is the BLMAP.xls, which can be found underthe Model Tree |Solutions Files | Report Maps | BLMAP. You have to activate this report in the reporting options, under Model Settings.
Keywords: Specification Blend
Formula Blend
BLMAP
Blending Map
References: None
|
Problem Statement: What does the model Density parameter found in the execution log represent?
|
Solution: Model density is defined as a ratio of Non-Zero Coefficients to Total Number of Coefficients. In other words it is the number of non-zero coefficients divided by the number of possible matrix intersections (ie, #non-zero coeffs / ( # rows * #columns) ). The model density is a statistic about the generated matrix. For example a matrix with more rows has more equations to satisfy.
Keywords: Model density
References: None
|
Problem Statement: Invalid Server message on Web.21 plot on PCWS
|
Solution: If you are getting Invalid Server errors in the plot legend for PCWS History plots, do the following:
First determine if PCWS is installed on Windows XP Professional? If so, then do the following:
1. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to: Program Files\AspenTech\ACOView
2. Double-click the file: iis6config.bat
3. Once this batch file is finished, try re-opening Internet Explorer and testing the plot again
4. If the problem persists, go on to the next step.
Otherwise, check the items in the followingSolution (though it refers to Web.21, theSolution is relevant to PCWS as well):
http://support.aspentech.com/webteamasp/KB.asp?ID=106660
Keywords: Web.21, PCWS, server
References: None
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Problem Statement: As per KB 132920, PIMS refers to the M2M (Initial Model-To-Model Error Distribution Factor) option in Advanced tab of Recursion Settings (default value of 0.01) for initial error distribution coefficient for transferred streams. Is it reasonable to use the same value for for initial error distribution coefficient for all transferred streams? And can we change this value for a specific transfer stream?
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Solution: Initial error distribution can have significant effect onSolution. However the goal of assigning initial error distribution coefficient for transferred streams is to make sure all transfers are seen as “active” and then let PIMS decide which ones to open more if desirable. Again, our main goal is that each error distribution coefficient of transferred streams is initialized as “on” by setting a number in M2M. Hence it is fine to use the same value for initial error distribution coefficient for transferred streams. PIMS will eventually update each error distribution coefficient throughout the recursion process.
As for the question if there is any other way to enter user-defined error distribution coefficients for a specific transferred stream, the answer is no since we do not have a global PDIST table.
Keywords: M2M
PDIST
Initial error distribution coefficient
Global model
Transfer
Recursion
References: None
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