Model Inprocess 3D
Discover Model Inprocess 3D, an advanced three-dimensional simulation for process engineering, designed to represent, analyze, and optimize complex industrial processes in a virtual environment.
Index of Models
Model Absorption Packed Columns
In an absorption process in a packed column, the gas and liquid normally flow countercurrently.
The liquid (solvent or solute-poor liquor) enters the column by the liquid inlet nozzle at the top of the column. It is distributed by the liquid distributor and flows down the column over the packing surface.
At the bottom of the column, the gas or vapour containing the solute (solute-rich gas) enters by the gas nozzle and is distributed by the gas distributor. The gas or vapour, counter-currently, flows up the column.
Model Aircooler
During the aircooler operation, the hot process fluid enters the tube bundle by the inlet nozzle and flows through the tubes in straight direction, making the corresponding passes in the tube-side according to the bundle configuration: single or multiple passes.
Regarding the air-side, the ambient air is forced or induced by the fans over and between the finned tubes in a single crossflow pass by axial flow fans.
The heat transfer takes place: the air absorbs the process heat and the process fluid is cooled down, finally the heated air is discharged into the atmosphere.
Model Centrifugal Pump
When the impeller begins to spin, it creates a low-pressure region which pulls more fluid in through the suction line. The fluid enters into the eye of the impeller, being trapped between the vanes. When the impeller rotates, it imparts kinetic energy or velocity onto the fluid. The vanes radially push the fluid towards the edge, reaching a high velocity. There are axial and mixed flow pumps as well.
Model Centrifugal Compressor
In a centrifugal compressor operation, the compressible fluid enters the compressor in an axial direction through the inlet guide vanes. The inlet guide vanes directs the fluid to the impeller at the time that provide a whirling motion to the fluid and controll how much flow enters to the compressor.
After the guide vanes, the fluid reaches the impeller at a low velocity.
Model Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR)
In a continuous stirred tank reactor, the reactants and the catalyst (if any) are fed continuously into the reactor through the inlet nozzles.
The agitator disperses the reactants thoroughly in the reaction mixture immediately they enter the tank. The contents of the tank are therefore well mixed by the stirring devices, but a portion of the reactants might, in case of imperfect mixing, leave in the product stream flowing out without reacting. The product stream is drawn off continuously from the reactor through the outlet nozzle, at the same flow rate as the inlet stream in order to maintain a constant volume inside the reactor.
In the ideal state of perfect mixing, the product stream has the same composition as the contents of the tank.
Model Distillation In Tray Columns
In a tray column, the distillation operation is carried out in a series of trays or plates which establish a succession of equilibrium stages.
In each of the plates, the liquid overflows the weir and falls down the column through the downcomer. The liquid is retained for some time in the plate by the weir, providing some liquid level in each stage. The vapour flowing up the column, passes through the plate holes or valves and enters into intimate contact with the retained liquid.
The liquid holdup and the vapour flow rate determines the residence time in each stage, that is the time in which both vapour-liquid are in contact.
As the system evolves towards equilibrium, each molecular species establishes a different concentration in each zone and this results in the separation between the species.
Model Furnace / Fired Heater
The aim of the furnace operation is to heat a fluid. This is accomplished by the combustion of fuel and air inside the firebox.
During the operation of a furnace, a controlled flowrate of fuel and an excess of air are introduced and mixed together into the burners.
This mixture is ignited in the burners by the pilots. As the fuel burns, the combustion reaction occurs releasing heat. The excess of air, must be high enough to carry out the fuel combustion completely..
Model Control Loops
A control valve operates by varying the area of the flow passage due to the action of the closure element. In a globe valve, the stem is raised and lowered by the actuator causing the plug to be positioned on or near a seat. As the actuator opens the valve, the stem and the plug travel upwards (moving away from the port). As the actuator closes the valve, the stem and plug travel downwards to the port.
The action of these elements causes a variation of the fluid passage area, causing a pressure drop variation in the circuit where the valve is installed, which makes the flow vary.
Model Liquid-Liquid Extraction
Liquid-liquid extraction process depends on the involved substances. The solute (compound to be extracted) must have a greater solubility in the solvent used for the extraction than in the original solvent and the two solvents must be immiscible.
In a L-L extraction process carried out in a mixer-settler system, the feed solution (original solvent containing the solute) is fed into the mixer tank and a required amount of solvent is added. The whole mass is well mixed by the impeller action and both feed solution and solvent are get in intimate contact to carry out the mass transfer.
Model Continuos Plug Flow Reactor (PFR)
In a Continuous Plug Flow Reactor, the reagents are continuously pumped into the reactor through the inlet nozzles. If initial blending of reactants is required, it is accomplished in mixing nozzles or by in-line mixers.
As the reactants enter in contact with the catalyst, the reaction begins and it proceeds as the reactants travel through the PFR. This results in an axial temperature and concentration gradient: As the reaction proceeds, the concentration of the reactants falls off with distance, thus the reaction rate decreases.
Model Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger
The operation of the shell and tube heat exchanger consists on one fluid flowing through the tubes side, while a second fluid flows inside the shell over the tubes.
The tube-side fluid enters the front header by the tube-side nozzle and finds the partition plate, which creates a separation area, avoiding the fluid to go directly to the tube-side outlet nozzle. The tube-side fluid starts flowing through and along the tubes and reaches the ended curved of them, doing a U-turn and flowing back through the tubes to the tube-side outlet nozzle.
Model Three-Phase Separator
The mixture of fluids enters the separator by the inlet nozzle reaching the primary separation zone. In the primary separation zone, the inlet distributor forces the inlet stream to suddenly change its direction, its higher momentum will make it difficult for the heavier particles to make such a change of direction and these will be separated from the lighter ones, thus generating the initial bulk separation of liquid and gas phases.
The liquid phase velocity is reduced and the liquid flow disperses and falls into the liquid collecting zone at relatively low velocity. The gas phase, readily separates and disperses along the vessel, but typically carries an entrainment of liquid mist. The larger droplets of liquid separate as soon as the gas leaves the primary separation zone, whilst the smaller droplets continue to be carried along by the gas phase.
