Sequential modular architecture

Sparse Matrix Methods. In order to get around the limitations of the sequential modular architecture for use in design and optimization, alternate approaches to solving flowsheeting problems have been investigated. Attempts to solve all or many of the nonlinear equations simultaneously has led to considerable interest in sparse matrix methods generally as a result of using the Newton-Raphson method or Broyden s method (22, 23, 24 ). ... 

Sequential Modular. By far the most experience with flowsheeting systems has been with the sequential modular architecture (59- 3). It is this architecture that is most easily understood by the process engineer. Each module calculates all output streams from input streams subject to module parameters. Generally, the stream variables consist of component flows, temperature (or enthalpy) and pressure as the independent variables. Other dependent variables such as total flow, fraction vapor and total enthalpy (or temperature) are often carried in the stream. 

There are two major problems which arise in sequential modular architectures which seriously affect their solution efficiency ... 

For convergence calculations ASPEN employs some advanced features with the well-proven sequential modular architecture. 

With a sequential modular architecture, optimization is generally done on much smaller problems (usually less than 20 decision variables) using either of the following ... 

Flowsheeting is still dominated by the Sequential-Modular architecture, but incorporates increasingly features of the Equation-Oriented solution mode. A limited number of systems can offer both steady state and dynamic flowsheeting simulators. 

A major academic effort has been mounted to reevaluate system architectures. This has been motivated by the limitations of the sequential modular method for design and optimization (21). This in turn has led to a strong research effort in equation solving methods tailored to meet the needs of process simulation. 

Simultaneous Modular. There has been an almost continuum of architectures suggested to take advantage of the better features of sequential modular, linear and simultaneous architectures. Most of these suggestions seek to retain the calculation modules (since millions of dollars have been invested in sequential modular software) and thus the name simultaneous modular has been applied. FLOWPACK II (93) apparently has some simultaneous modular features. 

Umeda and Nishio ( J3) using fully linearized models compared the sequential modular and simultaneous modular approaches and concluded each architecture had its area of applicability. 

The computational architecture is a sequential modular approach with advanced features. To model a process, each equipment module is simulated by a program module. The overall process is simulated by connecting the models together in the same way as the equipment in the flow sheet. When the input streams are known then the outputs can be calculated. The entire flowsheet can be calculated "sequentially" in this manner. Advanced features are discussed below in connection with an example. 

The two basic flowsheet software architectures are sequential modular and equation-based. In sequential modular, we write each unit model so that it calculates output(s), given feed(s), and unit parameters. This is the most commonly used flowsheeting architecture at present, and examples include Aspen+ plus Hysys (AspenTech), ChemCAD, and PROll (SimSci). In equation-based (or open-system) architectures, all equations are written describing material and energy balances as algebraic equations in the form/(x) = 0. This is the preferred architecture for new simulators and optimization, and examples include Speedup (AspenTech) and gPROMS (PSE pic). Each is discussed in turn. 

In the period 1970-80 s the major engineering bureaus, as well as some large manufacturing companies in refining and petrochemical industries developed in-house flowsheeting programs. Mostly adopted the modular sequential architecture. However, some were based on the equations oriented approach, as SPEEDUP at Imperial College in London (UK) and TISFLO at DSM in The Netherlands. 

In Simultaneous-Modular approach the solution strategy is a combination of Sequential-Modular and Equation-Oriented approaches. Rigorous models are used at units level, which are solved sequentially, while linear models are used at flowsheet level, solved globally. The linear models are updated based on results obtained with rigorous models. This architecture has been experimented in some academic products. 

Sequential-Modular approach is mostly used in steady state flowsheeting, among we may cite as major products Aspen Plus, ChemCad, Hysys, ProII, Prosim, and Winsim (see Table 2.2 for information). However, there are some dynamic simulators built on this architecture, the most popular being Hysys. 

Figure 2.8 Software architecture of a Sequential-Modular simulator...

The algorithmic treatment depends on the architecture of the flowsheeting system. In Equation-Oriented mode, the approach consists of solving all the equations describing the problem simultaneously. In Sequential-Modular approach the mathematical solution must take into account the convergence of units and tear streams, as well as of all design specifications. Supplementary equations must be added, so that the general formulation of the optimisation problem (3.10) becomes ... 

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