performing Chemical Process optimization in CHEMCAD

Your process (or process design) is probably not fully optimized. Of course, you know that, and you own a simulator to improve your process. For example, you may make a relatively simple calculation like finding the optimal feed tray location in a distillation column.

In our training courses, we teach a simple method of using CHEMCAD's sensitivity analysis to vary feed tray location while measuring reboiler duty, and we've heard back from a number of you who've achieved significant savings from doing just that.

But did you know that you can have CHEMCAD do the work for you? This is not only possible, but also very straightforward.

Included with CHEMCAD is an optimizer (using General Reduced Gradient, Successive Quadratic Programming, or Simultaneous Modular SQP routines) that allows you to define an objective function and tell the program which variables it can adjust in order to find the optimum (min/max). After just a few clicks, you'll have your solution.

Now let's go even further: many dedicated optimization engines allow "multi-variable" optimization, but you don't need to look beyond the software you already have.

An easy-to-understand example is a CAPEX/OPEX calculation, designed to find the optimal allocation of resources over a given period of time. Using CHEMCAD's cost algorithms, you can get a total equipment cost and an operating cost (energy, utilities, feeds, etc.), which can all be fed to an Excel(TM) spreadsheet using CHEMCAD's Data Map. Another approach to calculating the CAPEX and OPEX values and ratio would be to write a routine in CHEMCAD's Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) tool. The ratio is then available as your objective function in the optimizer.

We told you money was hiding in your process--isn't it time you went out and got it?

To find out more, get in touch with our sales or support representatives. Happy optimizing!