DESIGN & OPTIMIZATION

Operational performance of a process plant can be improved by studying the plant dynamics and its transient behaviors. Traditionally the operating conditions of a process and modifying production procedures are determined by running the plant under different conditions until an optimum configuration is found. In practice, this opportunity is seldom available to plant operations for a variety of reasons-the potential of introducing major plant upsets, or a lack of equipment availability for test purposes, or simply the need to get production out of the door.

A cost effective and risk free method of process optimization is the development of a real-time dynamic simulation model of the plant. Operational strategies are performed in a trial and error mode on the simulation model. Different operation parameters can be tested on the model interactively until an optimum set of parameters is obtained. These values are then transferred to the plant online control system as the actual operation set points to optimize plant performance.

MEL developed its tools to be capable of producing high fidelity dynamic simulation models quickly and accurately. The THINK simulation engine is designed for the study of process transients and can be used in design for equipment sizing and operation stability analysis, debottlenecking studies and training and staging as mentioned before.

Simulation models are used to optimize plant operation and performance, reduce design costs and better understand plant dynamic behavior. They can also generate input data necessary for control system design packages, test of control strategies prior to plant implementation, assist in controller tuning, and operator training.

Only MEL's THINK simulation engine offers the real-time dynamics of your process, rather than a "snapshot" offered by a static model.