582
V. Skorych et al.
HDF
Hierarchical data format
NN
Neuronal network
MLP Multilayer perceptron
MDB Materials database
OOP
Object-oriented programming
PBE
Population balance equation
RAM Random access memory
RMSE Root-mean-square error
SMA Sequential-modular approach
SMD Sauter mean diameter
SPP
Schwerpunktprogramm (German), Priority Programme
WRM Waveform relaxation method
1 Introduction
The application of flowsheet simulation for process optimization and control purposes is state of the art, especially in the area of systems comprising only fluid
materials. The flowsheet modelling allows for an investigation of complex processes
consisting of several interconnected apparatuses and subprocesses on long time scales
[15]. For the solids process engineering, the multidimensionality of the properties of
granular materials significantly complicates the solution of various problems, such as
design or optimization of production processes. As most solids processing systems
include unit operations that have a strong impact on the transient behaviour of the
whole process, like conveyors or bunkers, the ability to simulate the behaviour of
dynamic systems is crucial for applying flowsheet models for optimization or control
purposes in the area of solids processing technology.
Programs like Aspen Plus [4, 36], gPROMS Formulated Products [9, 18], SolidSim [45], SolidSim-Dynamics [16], or JKSimMet [27], deal with the challenge of
solids process simulation. However, none of the aforementioned tools offer the option
of dynamic process simulation of solids processes with the inherent description of
the multidimensional distributed parameters of the granular material.
The aim of the Priority Program SPP 1679 “Dynamic simulation of interconnected
solids processes (DYNSIM-FP)” [11] of the German Research Foundation (DFG) is
to study the dynamics of different processes in the area of solids process engineering,
as well as understanding the phenomena that arise when combining various such
subprocesses into a single interconnected system. The research within SPP 1679
was classified into 3 working group consisting of 27 projects in total. On top of
that, a separate Central Project (Z-Project) was established. Its goal is to develop
a flowsheet modeling system, which should serve as a platform for combining the
results of all these individual groups into a single framework. To allow for mostly
independent model development and research, the flowsheet simulation framework
must provide high flexibility, extensible libraries and stable interfaces. The resulting
V. Skorych et al.
HDF
Hierarchical data format
NN
Neuronal network
MLP Multilayer perceptron
MDB Materials database
OOP
Object-oriented programming
PBE
Population balance equation
RAM Random access memory
RMSE Root-mean-square error
SMA Sequential-modular approach
SMD Sauter mean diameter
SPP
Schwerpunktprogramm (German), Priority Programme
WRM Waveform relaxation method
1 Introduction
The application of flowsheet simulation for process optimization and control purposes is state of the art, especially in the area of systems comprising only fluid
materials. The flowsheet modelling allows for an investigation of complex processes
consisting of several interconnected apparatuses and subprocesses on long time scales
[15]. For the solids process engineering, the multidimensionality of the properties of
granular materials significantly complicates the solution of various problems, such as
design or optimization of production processes. As most solids processing systems
include unit operations that have a strong impact on the transient behaviour of the
whole process, like conveyors or bunkers, the ability to simulate the behaviour of
dynamic systems is crucial for applying flowsheet models for optimization or control
purposes in the area of solids processing technology.
Programs like Aspen Plus [4, 36], gPROMS Formulated Products [9, 18], SolidSim [45], SolidSim-Dynamics [16], or JKSimMet [27], deal with the challenge of
solids process simulation. However, none of the aforementioned tools offer the option
of dynamic process simulation of solids processes with the inherent description of
the multidimensional distributed parameters of the granular material.
The aim of the Priority Program SPP 1679 “Dynamic simulation of interconnected
solids processes (DYNSIM-FP)” [11] of the German Research Foundation (DFG) is
to study the dynamics of different processes in the area of solids process engineering,
as well as understanding the phenomena that arise when combining various such
subprocesses into a single interconnected system. The research within SPP 1679
was classified into 3 working group consisting of 27 projects in total. On top of
that, a separate Central Project (Z-Project) was established. Its goal is to develop
a flowsheet modeling system, which should serve as a platform for combining the
results of all these individual groups into a single framework. To allow for mostly
independent model development and research, the flowsheet simulation framework
must provide high flexibility, extensible libraries and stable interfaces. The resulting