ChemSep

ChemSep is a column simulator for solving distillation, absorption, and extraction problems. ChemSep was created in February 1988 at the University of Technology, Delft in Netherlands, by Arno Haket, Harry Kooijman, and Ross Taylor. ChemSep features a menu-driven, step-by-step interface. It also features an autopilot mode to help the inexperienced user navigate through the data input phase.
In March, 1991, a non-equilibrium model was added. The programs and user interface were completely rewritten. Since then several extensions of the non-equilibrium model have been published and added: an extractor model, various dynamic models, a (reactive) cell model, a three phase distillation model, and a total reflux model (for simulating distillation test data).
In 2004, a major change was made with a new windows GUI. It is still being developed to include all the column models.
In 2005, ChemSep was made Cape-Open compliant.
The software includes published thermodynamic, physical property, and mass transfer models.
In addition to use in the classroom, ChemSep has also been used to solve many industrial columns such as demethanizers, debutanizers, refluxed absorbers, azeotropic and extractive distillation.
Interface
Each new problem in ChemSep starts in a new window, asking for the problem title. From there it guides the user through several consecutive screens to input other parameters for the problem. These include:
* Components - compounds for the operation to be selected from a pre-defined database of compounds
* Operation - define the type of operation and the specifications of the equipment in which the operation is to take place
* Properties
# Thermodynamic
# Physical
# Reactions -
any reactions taking place along with the mass transfer operations
* Feeds - temperature, pressure compositions etc. of the various feed streams
* Specifications
# Analysis - a list of additional parameters that need to be specified depending on the previous inputs
# Pressures - pressures at various points in the column
# Heaters/coolers - heat exchange from various parts of the column
# Efficiency
# Column specifications
* Results - displayed as tables, graphs, and other calculation techniques specific to the types o operations
Before beginning to solve the problem, ChemSep checks whether all the parameters needed to solve it have been provided. If not, it directs the user to the screen where something is missing.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu