14 replies to this topic

[sreekanthtm]

Dear all,

 

           I am working in process engineering department.I would like to purchase chemical engineering software. What are all the important software required? kindly suggest the same.

[Said Salim]

Hi sreekanthtm,

You can purchase Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, Unisim and Pipesim.

Edited by Said Salim, 24 May 2014 - 11:10 PM.

[processengbd]

Do you have tons of free money?? 

 

You have to specify what you want to do . Your "Process Engineering" department is it a university or company?

If it is a company then what kind of project you usually handle? If it is a university. Then why bother about these software. Please tech the basics of "chemical engineering". (I think lot of forum members would support me on this notion).

Edited by processengbd, 25 May 2014 - 11:02 PM.

[PaoloPemi]

I agree with processengbd,
the selection of a proper software should consider

-the problems which sreekanthtm wish to solve
-the budget
-the compatibility with different applications which he may wish to adopt

sreekanthtm doesn't tell us the above points
and without data we cannot suggest a solution,

perhaps as first step he may wish to evaluate the applications
available at cheresources

http://www.cheresour...invision/store/

if he decide to adopt a process simulator or a process library
there are many free and commercial solutions listed here

http://en.wikipedia....cess_simulators

but this is just the beginning as one may need
software optimized for solving piping networks, pipelines,
equipments etc. etc.
 

[RockDock]

Which industry are you in?

 

Chemicals:

ChemCAD

Aspen Plus

 

Refining:

Pro/II

ProMax

 

Gas Processing:

ProMax

Olga

HTRI

 

Solids:

Aspen Plus

[processengbd]

Dear rockdock.

 

Interesting! you don't have Hysys in any of your categories. and you have included Promax in refining section.

[RockDock]

I haven't used Hysys in years. It is a great software that unfortunately doesn't offer much advantage over many other software. Unisim is basically the same as Hysys, but at a much better price. Even then, neither Hysys or Unisim can accurately model the entire gas plant. You can't use them for a number of the major processes in the gas plant, so why buy two programs? That's why I list ProMax in their stead. It's perfectly acceptable to use Hysys for some of the plant, but you'll still need a software like ProMax for sweetening, dehydration and SRU. 

 

The same goes for the refinery. I think Pro/II is more accurate than ProMax for the Atmospheric and Vacuum Distillation towers. You'll still need ProMax for the sweetening, SRU and SWS. 

 

Our Company licenses ProMax, Pro/II, Olga, and HTRI because we do Refining and Gas Processing work.

[Bobby Strain]

Rock,

     Can you share anything about cost for ProMax and Pro.II?

 

Bobby

[RockDock]

Bobby,

 

I only know the price when we first switched from Hysys, which was about 10 years ago. I don't think that will be very helpful for you. At that time, a ProMax license was 1/2 the price of Hysys. Pro/II was about the same as ProMax.

[Bobby Strain]

Thank you, Rock.

 

Bobby

[processengbd]

I think it would not be wise for me to comment about the cost of Promax & Hysys. But I would suggest everyone in this forum to please reevaluate your decision before buying a process simulation software. At least contact every company that you are evaluating. Thank you

[RockDock]

no problem

[AlbertHahn]

 

Which industry are you in?
 
Chemicals:
ChemCAD
Aspen Plus
 
Refining:
Pro/II
ProMax
 
Gas Processing:
ProMax
Olga
HTRI
 
Solids:
Aspen Plus

Dear rockdock. Interesting! you don't have Hysys in any of your categories. and you have
included promax in refining section.

 

Indeed interesting!!!

 

From my knowledge, at least HYSYS is good to use in Refining and Gas processing. With my work being focused in gas processing, I would like to add something to the gas processing:

1. ProMax:  This program is successful in marketing and provides good training. It is an equilibrium stage model using some secret models in their VLE and kinetics, which is not quite known from any publications.

2. HYSYS:  HYSYS has amine module, DBR Amine Pkg, and acid gas cleaning module. As my version is not updated, I am not sure if all the three modules are available in the current version. The DBR Amine Pkg is the latest version of amine module and it is based on rigorous thermodynamics models, mass transfer model and non-equilbrium column model, and it is validated against experimental data and plant data. Many publications of this package are published by its related researchers such as Profs. Mather, Otto, and the DBR research team such as Dan Zhang etc. I have good contact with the team for the needs of my research development, and they are very knowledgeable and helpful. The acid gas module of HYSYS was released last year and I think it is originally from Aspen Plus. I heard some feedback from my friends who has experience with it, that the new acid gas module is not as good as the old DBRAmine Pkg especially for blended amines and for proprietary amines such as MDEA+Piperazine. In this sense, DBRAmine is better than acid gas module.

3. UniSim: same DBRAmine Pkg as in HYSYS. but it is cheaper.

4. ProII: has a gas processing module. simulation result looks good, though the graphic interface is not as good as HYSYS and UniSim (this is only my personal feeling and it should not be representing anything.)

5. Aspen Plus:  there are comparison available in literature. in general Aspen Plus is not good as HYSYS, but it can be good for research use.

6. ProII: rate-based program. theoretically good, but there are some issues that make it not widely used in industry.

7. WinSim: has small market share in acid gas processing.

[AlbertHahn]

I think it would not be wise for me to comment about the cost of Promax & Hysys. But I would suggest everyone in this forum to please reevaluate your decision before buying a process simulation software. At least contact every company that you are evaluating. Thank

I also found that many people in this forum and also outside this forum has inadequate knowledge in the background theories, models etc of the software they use (forgive me if you feel offensive) though they have tons of practical experience in using the programs. So i would suggest people do some research using public literature. do not just listen to what the marketing and sales people say, and do not just read the superficial articles which looks technical but serves for only marketing purpose.

[RockDock]

I agree.