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The Aspen Plus also features Tektro hydraulic brakes to make sure you can stop quickly and smoothly regardless of where you are riding. The 24 speed Shimano drivetrain will give you plenty of range to tackle steep hills and build up speed in flat runs while shifting smoothly. We also put even more juice into your battery pack for a total of. Aspen Self-Paced eLearning. Find on-demand training for applying AspenTech products to your complex process engineering and operational problems. Our comprehensive eLearning courses, created by AspenTech experts, offer self-guided learning paths for all our major solutions. Aspen Plus (AP for short) is the leading Chemical Process Simulator in the market (or at least in the Chemical Engineering World) AP is a software that will allow the user to build a process model and then simulate it using complex calculations (models, equations, math calculations, regressions, etc). Aspen Plus: Real Time Modeling and Optimization Learn how to do real time optimization using the Equation Oriented (EO) strategy and how to tune models using real-time data and parameter estimation and data reconciliation. AspenTech's Aspen Plus Dynamics is a complete solution for solving transient chemical process issues using guided workflows, simulations and templates.

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  • An Aspen Capital Cost Certified User has an in-depth understanding and the practical skills required for building, interpreting, and revising cost estimates using Aspen Capital Cost Estimator. Passing this exam will demonstrate your knowledge in: defining a project design basis, specifying area, equipment, and bulks, generating and interpreting reports. This person also demonstrates fluency with some advanced skills such as troubleshooting and modifying project specifications.Explore Details
  • An Aspen DMC3 Certified User has proven in-depth understanding of and the practical skills required to perform fundamental tasks in building and maintaining Advanced Process Control (APC) applications. Passing this exam proves your skills in: building the Finite Impulse Response (FIR) model using FIR and SubSpace Identification with step test data. This person also demonstrates fluency with some advanced skills in steady state and dynamic tunings for obtaining optimal performance of the controller. Explore Details
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    I took the Aspentech exam to be an Aspen Certified User in Aspen Capital Cost Estimator®. I am impressed how the exam was well prepared and very much inclusive to show users the software capabilities. I suggest studying and preparing for the exam. Being a Certified ACCE User will enhanced my position as an estimator in front of the management and shows the importance of self-development. I would recommend my fellow estimators in the oil/gas industry to take the exam and be an Aspen Capital Cost Estimators® Certified User.

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    I am honored to be the first Certified User of Aspen Petroleum Scheduler(APS) and fully recommend the certification to my peers. The APS along with the PIMS certification gave me not only a sense of achievement but also helped with my career advancement giving me the opportunity to take the lead on a high profile Planning & Scheduling project for a new refinery.

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    As a result of achieving Aspen Certified User status, I was selected to run a key project within my business. Aspen User Certification was a fantastic opportunity for me.

  • Koch Industries

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    The knowledge and skills I gained while preparing for the exam solidified the material I learned in the classroom. This directly translates to my job as an APC Engineer. Nowadays, It’s easy to look up anything. However, when you have to solve a problem on the fly, there’s no time to “look up”. You have to recall the material learned and solve the problem instantaneously. The exam prepares you to show up and face the blank sheet and hit the ground running. When you take the exam, it gives you a personal satisfaction knowing you can face a blank sheet without panicking and solving interesting problems. Thanks to the exam, I can confidently tackle any APC challenge.

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    The certification covers the critical theories and practical problems to effectively exam users’ understanding of the basic concepts and the capability to apply Aspen Plus to real life challenges. I would encourage others to take this certification to demonstrate their competence in process simulation using Aspen Plus.

  • Nutrien

    Process Engineer

    This course was my first experience with E-Books – it was great! I was able to download the app on my tablet and open the training materials before class. The E-Books gave me a better learning experience in the classroom than printed training materials. The navigation is easy and I like how interactive it is. I’m looking forward to more training at AspenTech using E-Books.

  • PetroChina Planning & Engineering Institute (CPPEI)

    Process Optimization Division Director

    First of all, I'm very glad I passed the certification, which shows I have a good foundation in the application of HYSYS software. In terms of the certification examination, the topic design is very scientific, and it can comprehensively assess the student's learning results from the basis of software application. After taking the exam, I did find that I had areas that I lacked knowledge. The assessment I received provided me guidance on my learning goals in the future. Meantime, I have further understanding of the powerful function of Aspen HYSYS software!

  • Phillips 66

    Director of Process Design

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  • Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited

    Chief Manager Planning

    The training provided useful reactor model examples that I can use on my job. The multiple instructors is an excellent approach to accelerate learning. This is an excellent training program and I look forward to participating in more advanced sessions.

This section is a tutorial to walk you through Problem 11-3 for the 1st edition of Essentials of Chemical Reaction Engineering. You can download the ASPEN backup file here that completes this problem.

Example 11-3 Adiabatic Liquid-Phase Isomerization of Normal Butane

Problem Description

Normal butane, C4H10, is to be isomerized to isobutane in a plug-flow reactor. This elementary reversible reaction is to be carried out adiabatically in the liquid phase under high pressure using a liquid catalyst which gives a specific reaction rate of 31.1 h-1 at 360 K. The feed enters at 330 K.

  1. Calculate the PFR volume necessary to process 100,000 gal/day (160 kmol/h) at 70% conversion of a mixture 90 mol % n-butane and 10 mol % of i-pentane, which is considered an inert.
  2. Plot and analyze X, Xe, T and -rA down the length of the reactor
  3. Calculate the CSTR volume for the same conditions as the PFR.

Components

Three components are considered in the Aspen model: C4H10 (n-butane), IC4H10 (isobutane) and IPENTANE (2-methyl-butane). The liquid catalyst is not included because its flowrate is not known and the specific reaction rate has been given for the reaction condition. These three components are called directly from built-in Aspen pure component databanks.

Properties

Different property models can yield different predictions for various thermophysical properties used in mass and energy balance calculations. PENG-ROB, Aspen Peng-Robinson equation-of-state property model, is chosen to describe the thermophysical properties of this hydrocarbon liquid mixture. One of several equations-of-state well-known to be suitable for hydrocarbon systems, Peng-Robinson equation-of-state should provide reasonable calculations for heats of reaction and heat capacities.

Within the temperature range of 330 K to 360 K, PENG-ROB predicts liquid heat capacity of 157-185 J/mol•K for C4H10, 161-214 J/mol•K for IC4H10, and 176-195 J/mol•K for IPENTANE. The higher the temperature, the higher the heat capacity will be. Pressure also affects liquid heat capacity. The predictions here are done at 1 atm.

The isomerization heat of reaction is also a function of temperature. PENG-ROB predicts the heat of isomerization to vary from -7430 J/mol C4H10 at 330 K to -7080 J/mol C4H10 at 360 K.

Reactions

To describe the n-butane isomerization reaction, an Aspen reaction model of POWERLAW type is created: ISOMER. The ISOMER reaction is rate-controlled. The reaction stoichiometry is shown below:

Both forward and reverse reactions are 1st order with respect to reactants.

The forward reaction specific rate is 31.1 h-1 (0.008639 sec-1) at 360 K with activation energy of 65.7 kJ/mol (65.7x106 J/kmol). The reactant concentration is given in terms of molarity (kmol/m3).

It is also known that the heat of reaction is -6900 J/mol of n-butane and the chemical equilibrium constant is 3.03 at 60°C.

The above equation gives Keq=2.51 at 360 K. Therefore, the above equation can be rewritten as follows.

Simulations

From k' and Keq, we can derive at the rate constant for the reverse reaction, k'.

Flowsheet

Aspen model library provides RPLUG (PFR) reactor model and RCSTR (CSTR) reactor model. They are used to construct processes with proper feed streams and reactor conditions.

Problem (a)

Aspen RPLUG reactor model is used with reactor type Adiabatic Reactor and reaction model ISOMER. Aspen requires input of reactor dimensions in lieu of reactor volume. To start the simulation, initial values of 0.1 meter in diameter and 1000 meter in length are assumed.

It is found that the conversion of C4H10 reaches a maximum of about 72%. 70% of C4H10 conversion is achieved with reactor length of 410 meter, or 603 second of residence time. That gives reactor volume of 3.22 m3.

Problem (b)

Profiles for the molar compositions of C4H10 and IC4H10 and the PFR reactor temperature are given below.

Problem (c)

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Aspen RCSTR reactor model is used with heat duty set to 0 (i.e., adiabatic) and reaction model ISOMER. To start the simulation, initial value of 3 m3 is assumed for the CSTR reactor volume. C4H10 content drops from 90 mol % to 33.7 mol % (62.5% conversion) with this initial volume of 3 m3.

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A DESIGN-SPEC block is set up to find the reactor volume required for 70% C4H10 conversion. The study shows a reactor liquid volume of 20.6 m3 is required to achieve 70% C4H10 conversion. That corresponds to a residence time of to 3678 seconds, more than 6 times that of the RPLUG residence time.

Given the models, various reactor analyses can be performed. For example, a PFR reactor liquid volume of 1.41 m3 is required to achieved 40% C4H10 conversion while a CSTR reactor requires only liquid volume of 1.30 m3.


  1. Accessing ASPEN PLUS
  2. Creating a Reaction Engineering Process Model
  3. Running the Process Model
  4. Other Need-to-Knows
    1. Exiting ASPEN PLUS
  5. ASPEN Modules

Chapter 5- Example 5-3: Design of a Full Scale Tubular Reactor (Tutorial, ASPEN Backup File - Accessable from DVD)

Chapter 8- Supplemental Example: Pyrolysis of Benzene (Tutorial, ASPEN Backup File - Accessable from DVD)

Chapter 11- Example 11-3: Adiabatic Liquid-Phase Isomerization of Normal Butane (Tutorial, ASPEN Backup File - Accessable from DVD)

Chapter 12- Example 12-2a: Adiabatic Production of Acetic Anhydride (Tutorial, ASPEN Backup File- Accessable from DVD)

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Chapter 12- Example 12-2b: Constant Heat Exchange Production of Acetic Anhydride (Tutorial, ASPEN Backup File- Accessable from DVD)

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