I

PROCESS DESIGN
ENGINEERING

TRAINING MANUAL

Indus Global Academy of Technical Education

Branch of Indus USA Inc.
URL: www.indus-usa.com, URL: www.indusedu.com

Copyright © 2009 by Indus USA Inc. USA. All rights are reserved
 PREFACE

The Post Graduate Diploma in Process Design Engineering aims at providing

professional industrial training & exposure to various Process Engineering design
principles for Chemical Engineers. The training programme provides complete
knowledge to candidates starting from explaining the roles & responsibilities of
Process Design Engineer to development of final process design engineering
document i.e., Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams ( P&IDs). This programme is
designed to cater to the needs of fresher as well as experienced professionals.

This Training will enable Chemical Engineers to enter industry as Process Design
Engineer. Process engineers are found in vast range of industries, such as the Oil
& Gas, Refineries, Petrochemical, Chemical, Mineral Processing, Food,
Pharmaceutical, Biotechnological industries etc., Process Engineering involves
developing new process, project engineering and troubleshooting.

The purpose of the Training Manual is to introduce the basic concepts of the
process Design Engineering. The Style and approach of the training manual is to
provide insight view of the Process techniques to Chemical Engineers. Each
lesson concentrates on a major topic and text attempts to explain technology step
by step of the technology. Familiarity with the basic operation Process is assumed
and material presented.

The materials covered in this training manual is an overview of what are felt to be
commonly used and important aspect of Process Design engineering.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

MODULE 1: PROCESS ENGINEERING 4

Introduction
Different Phases of a Project
Elements in Project Execution
Roles of a Process Engineer
Additional Responsibilities of a Process Engineer
Capabilities of a Process Engineer
Process Design Engineering Deliverables
Assignment on Module 1

MODULE 2: UPSTREAM OIL & GAS OVERVIEW 12

Reservoir
Wells
Offshore Structures
Production Techniques
Overall Oil & Gas Facility - Upstream
Well Head / Christmas tree
Well Head Platform
Process Platform
Utility & Auxiliary Systems
Assignment on Module 2

MODULE 3: FLUID PHASE BEHAVIOUR 29

Composition of Well Fluid
Determination of Well Fluid Composition
Well Fluid Phase Behavior
Equations of State
Assignment on Module 3

MODULE 4: PROCESS SIMULATIONS 35

Introduction
Purpose
Steady-state Simulation
Dynamic Simulation
Simulation Software
Inputs for Simulation
Uses of Simulation for Process Design
HYSYS – the Software & its Usage
Typical Operation in Simulation Schemes
Assignment on Module 4

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 MODULE 1

PROCESS ENGINEERING

1.1 INTRODUCTION

PROCESS ENGINEERING is the application of Chemical, Mechanical,

Petroleum, Gas and other engineering disciplines in the Development,
Design, Construction, Efficient, Safe and economic operation of a plant /
processing facility meeting customer’s Specifications

• In a Consulting or Engineering contractor Organization, Process

Design and / or Process Engineering is usually a Separate Group
Responsible for Proposing / Developing / Designing a Process plant /
facility for the customer.

• In an Operating or Production Company, Process Design and / or

Process Engineering is involved in Research and Development,
Technical Services or Engineering Department for developing new
projects and processes.

1.2 DIFFERENT PHASES OF A PROJECT

There are five phases in a project, from a Process viewpoint. These are

o Study (Concept and feasibility)

o Engineering (Basic and Detail)

o Procurement

o Fabrication and Construction

o Commissioning and start-up

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 • Concept study

A conceptual study is the development of an idea / concept for any

proposed project.

• Feasibility Study

A feasibility study is an analysis of the viability of an idea / concept

through a disciplined and documented process of thinking through the
project from its logical beginning to its logical end. It is an
Investigating function and should be conducted to determine the
viability of an idea / concept before proceeding with the development
of the project.

A feasibility study of a project is conducted at three levels

o Operational Feasibility - “Will it work?”

o Technical Feasibility - “Can it be built?”
o Economic Feasibility (COST – BENEFIT ANALYSIS) - “Will it make
economic sense if it works and is built? Will it generate PROFITS?”

• Design and Engineering

• Basic Engineering /Front End Engineering & Design (FEED) followed

by Detailed Engineering

FEED OR BASIC ENGINEERING is a common phrase used to define

the project engineering activities involved in the first phase of
engineering development for any production / processing facility.

The objectives of FEED/BASIC engineering are to

o Develop project design basis for the facilities.

o Select optimum process for achieving the required product
specifications.
o Develop project design philosophies as applicable to each
engineering discipline.
o Develop basic engineering documents (degree of detail can vary to
suit project/client requirements).
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 o Develop cost estimate for the project (can be project/client
specific).
o Make appropriate recommendations to owner/client.

The Detailed Engineering Phase involves engineering activities as follows

o Verification of FEED / Basic Design

o Carrying out Pre-engineering Survey, if required
o Updating / Finalization of FEED / Basic Design Deliverables
o Generation of engineering drawings / documents required for
Construction
o Providing technical assistance for procurement
o Review and Incorporation of Vendor design / data into the design
deliverables
o Providing technical support during the fabrication, construction
and commissioning phases of the project
o Carrying out post engineering surveys, if required
o Preparation of as-built documentation and drawings

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1.3 ELEMENTS IN PROJECT EXECUTION

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 In the execution of a project, various agencies are involved. They are:

• Owner – organization/company who wants to build and operate a

processing plant.

• Project Management Consultancy (PMC) – they are hired by the

owners to do the concept, feasibility studies, and carry out FEED /
Basic Engineering Activities.

• Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) / Lump Sum Turn Key

(LSTK) Contractors – the FEED / Basic Engineering documents are
given by owners to EPC to bid for the project. After the award of
contract, EPC is responsible for:

o FEED verification
o Detailed Engineering
o Procurement of various items from different vendors
o Fabrication, Construction, and Commissioning.

1.4 ROLE OF A PROCESS ENGINEER

In an engineering consultancy, process engineers are usually involved to

varying degrees in different phases of a project. The involvement is high &
challenging but not voluminous during study and first part of engineering
(basic) as well as during commissioning (start-up). It is less challenging but
more voluminous during second part of engineering (detail) and
procurement; it is negligible during construction. Process engineers should
try to adapt to the phase of the project, while doing their work.

• Study (Concept and Feasibility) – Generates Design Data /

Information

• Engineering (Basic/FEED and Detail) – Validates and Disseminates

the Design data / Information

• Procurement – Evaluation of Technical Bids / Discussion with vendors

• Construction – Response to Site Queries

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 • Commissioning / Start-up – Prepare procedures and assist in smooth /
trouble –free commissioning

In a nut shell, the role of a process engineer is to provide services from

concept to commissioning.

1.5 ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PROCESS ENGINEER

• Business Development

• Gathering knowledge on technologies (from Principals, Licensors,

Vendors)

• Developing design capabilities in new areas

• Development of design tools, calculation procedures, technical

database

• Training other engineering disciplines on general / specific process

design aspects

• Site services - Data collection for revamping (brown field engineering),

commissioning assistance

• Maintaining good customer relations and providing opportunities for

repeat orders

1.6 CAPABILITIES OF A PROCESS ENGINEER

• Carrying out Simulation Study to develop Mass & Heat Balance and to
establish fluid property databank.

• Performing Equipment (Vessels, Pumps, etc.) Sizing calculations

• Performing Line sizing and Hydraulic calculations

• Developing and updating Process Engineering deliverables

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 • Carrying out Effluent study to develop suitable Flare, Vent and Drain
Systems for the facility

• Carrying out Utility System Design

• Participating in HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) studies like

HAZOP (Hazard v/s Operability), SIL (Safety Integrity Levels) to
record the design changes and to implement in Engineering

• Technical Assistance for Procurement

• Vendor offer review & clarifications

• Assistance in Technical Bid Evaluation

• Final Vendor data incorporation

1.7 PROCESS DESIGN ENGINEERING DELIVERABLES

Some of the major process design engineering deliverables are:

• Process Design Basis

• Process Simulation Study

• Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs)

• Equipment Design and specifications

• Line sizing and hydraulics

• Instrument sizing and specifications

• Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)

• Utility consumption summary

• Cause and Effect Diagrams

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 ASSIGNMENT - MODULE 1

PROCESS ENGINEERING

1. Write briefly a general understanding, on Process Design Engineering?

Note: Prepare in the form of presentations to illustrate the understanding.

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 MODULE 2
UPSTREAM OIL AND GAS OVERVIEW

2.1 RESERVOIR

• Oil and gas deposits form an organic material (tiny plants and animals)
deposited in the soil, around 100 to 200 million years ago, under, over
or with the sand or silt, and is transformed by high temperature and
pressure into hydrocarbons.

• For this reservoir to form, porous rocks need to be covered by non

porous layers such as salt, and other such substances which can
prevent the hydrocarbons from leaking out of the rocky area. As the
rock structures begin to fold and uplift due to earthquakes and other
tectonic movements, the hydrocarbons migrate out of the deposits and
move upward in porous rocks and collects in crests under the non
permeable rock, with gas at the top, then oil and fossil water at the
bottom.

2.2 WELLS

Well is a term for any perforation through the earth’s surface (reservoir)
designed to find and release both petroleum oil and gas hydrocarbons.
Wells are drilled using Jack up Rigs and Semi-submersibles.

TYPES OF WELLS

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WELL COMPLETION

Well completion is a technique wherein the proper equipment is selected

and installed to achieve the maximum production throughout the wells life
economically. Well completion design varies from well to well and field to
field.

2.3 OFFSHORE STRUCTURES

Type of offshore structure and production system depends on

• Water depth.
o Water depths up to 200 m (typical)- Shallow water
o Water depths 200 to 1000 m (typical)- Deep water
• Weather conditions
• Sea-bed conditions

Structures & Production Systems

There are four types of concepts in structure, based on water depth:

• Fixed Structure
Steel Jacket Platform & Concrete Gravity

Platform

• Complaint Structure
Guyed Tower, Complaint Piled Tower,

Flexible Tower & Tension Leg Platform

• Floating Production System
Tanker & Moorings and Semi-

Submersible

• Sub-sea System
Sub-sea Templates and Sub-sea Separation unit

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2.4 PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES

Self Flow:

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 • Self flow of well fluid happens when the Reservoir Pressure is greater
than the Well Bore pressure or pressure of the Surface producing
facilities.

• Reservoir pressure is created by Associated Gas and / or Formation

water.

Artificial Lift:

• When there is a decrease in the reservoir pressure or the reservoir

pressure is insufficient to overcome the pressure exerted by the fluid
column, well fluid ceases to flow.

• To sustain production or to enhance recovery from these wells, the

available energy is supplemented by external means and this is known
as artificial lift.

Methods of Artificial Lift:

The commonly used methods of Artificial Lift are:

• Water injection – water at high pressure is directly injected into the

reservoir to increase the reservoir pressure.

• Gas injection – gas (treated) at high pressure is directly injected into

the reservoir to increase the reservoir pressure.

• Gas Lift – the gas is injected into the well flow to lower the specific
gravity of the oil to make the well flow.

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 • Electrical Submersible pumping (ESP’s) – these are inserted into wells
to increase the pressure of the flowing fluid.

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 • Jet Pumps - these are placed below the fluid level in a wellbore to
produce fluid from the reservoir by employment of a power fluid
source.

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2.5 OVERALL OIL & GAS FACILITY – UPSTREAM

BLOCK DIAGRAM

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 PROCESS OVERVIEW

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2.6 WELL HEAD / CHRISTMAS TREE

The wellhead sits on top of the actual oil or gas well leading down to the
reservoir. A wellhead may also be an injection well, used to inject water or
gas back into the reservoir to maintain pressure and levels to maximize
production. Once a natural gas or oil well is drilled, and it has been
verified that commercially viable quantities of natural gas are present for
extraction, the well must be 'completed' to allow for the flow of petroleum
or natural gas out of the formation and up to the surface. This process
includes strengthening the well hole with casing, evaluating the pressure
and temperature of the formation, and then installing the proper
equipment to ensure an efficient flow of natural gas out of the well. The
wellhead structure, often called a Christmas tree, must allow for a number
of operations relating to production and various technologies for
maintaining the well and improving its production capacity.

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 21

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 • A Wellhead / Christmas tree is an assembly of valves, spools and
fittings, piping, gauges and flanges that exists atop an oil or gas well.

• The Christmas tree consists of hydraulically / pneumatically actuated

valves viz.
o Subsurface safety valve (SSSV),
o Surface safety valves (SSVs) - Master valve and Wing valve
These valves play an essential role by automatically isolating the
individual wells during an Emergency Scenario.

• A choke valve is provided downstream of the wing valve to regulate the

flow of well fluid from the well.

2.7 WELL HEAD PLATFORM

The function of a well platform is

• To gather produced fluid from wells and transport to the processing

platforms through sub-sea pipelines.
• To facilitate testing of wells.

A typical wellhead platform consists of

• Four legged jacket

• Super Structure with Main Deck, Cellar Deck, Stairways, Ladders,
Railing and Heli-deck.
• Conductor Casing within the jacket framing, well head hook up piping
system to connect wells to the manifold (production and test header).
• Boat Landing
• Pedestal Crane
• Test Separator
• Well fluid riser with Pig launcher
• Wellhead Control / Shutdown Panel
• Instrument Gas system
• Chemical Injection System
• Vent system
• Drain System
• Diesel System
• Water System
• Fire and Gas detection system (Gas detectors, Fusible loops)
• Fire Fighting system (portable extinguishers, DCP skid, etc)
• Solar Panels, Battery , Battery Charger, Telemetry unit, Navigational
Aids
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 • Life Saving Equipment (Life Jackets, Life buoys, Life rafts, etc.)

BLOCK FLOW DIAGRAM – WELL HEAD PLATFORM (TYPICAL)

Flow lines
Production Production
Well Heads manifold

Well fluid
Test Manifold to Process
(Test Separator, Facility
Multi-Phase flow
meter (MPFM)

Process Description

The well fluid, from the reservoir flows via the well head, through the flow
lines to the production and test manifolds. The produced well fluid from
the production manifold is routed to a processing facility via pipelines.

The well fluid is routed to the test manifold from the flow line only during
testing operations. Testing is carried out using test separators or multi-
phase flow meters in the well head platform. In the test separator, the well
fluid is separated from one or more wells for analysis and detailed flow
measurement.

2.8 PROCESS PLATFORM

These are normally eight legged platforms and do not have any well. The
produced fluid from well platforms is received in a process Platform for
processing and transportation.

The main processing facilities on a Process Platform include:

• Separation system (Separate oil, gas and water)
• Crude Oil / Condensate Stabilization and Export system (Treat and
pump oil to a subsea off-take pipeline)

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 • Produced Water handling system (Treat and dispose off produced
water)
• Gas Compression and dehydration system (Treat and compress gas to a
subsea off-take pipe line )

BLOCK FLOW DIAGRAM – OIL & GAS PROCESS FACILITIES

(TYPICAL)

Well Fluid from

Well Head
Platforms Process Gas Compressor
Package (Multistage with Gas Dehydration
K.O.drum, InterCoolers etc.) (Typically TEG
Contactor)

Slug Catcher
HP Separator Booster/Off-Gas TEG Regen.
Compressor System
(Multistage With
K.O.D, Inter Coolers) Gas
Crude Metering
Oil
Produced
Water MP, LP Separators (With or Crude
Without Heaters in-Between) Surge
Note: No. of Stages Variable, to Tank
be finalized During Concept Gas To Fuel gas
Stabilized Export package
Crude
Produced Water Separator
Treating System - Produced Crude Oil
Hydro cyclone & Water Pumps
Flash Vessel

Treated
Produced Crude Oil
Water metering
Disposal
to sea
Oil for Export

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 Process Description

In the PROCESS PLATFORM, the well fluid obtained from the WELL
HEAD PLATFORMs, is primarily separated into gas, crude oil & produced
water and further processed to meet the product specifications of the end
users / customers.

• High pressure separation involves separation of well fluid to oil,

gas and water using high pressure separators.

• Crude Oil stabilization involves removal of lighter hydrocarbons

(C2- C6), sulfur-bearing compounds, salts and water to meet the
customer requirements. Optimum number of separation stages varies
with:
o Flowing well head pressure at the process complex
o Reservoir composition
o Gas compression requirements, and
o Vapour pressure specification, for export crude.

• Process Gas Compression involves increasing the pressure of

natural gas to meet the sales gas pressure requirement by the
customer. Gas dehydration process involves the removal of water
from gas to meet Dew point specification of the sales gas.

• Produced Water treatment involves removal of hydrocarbon traces

from produced water before the water is discharged overboard. Skim
Vessels, Corrugated plate interceptors (CPI), Induced gas floatation
(IGF) are some treatment systems used to separate oil from produced
water.

2.11 UTILITY & AUXILIARY SYSTEMS

Some of the typical utility and auxiliary systems in a processing

facility are

• Fuel gas system

• Glycol Regeneration system
• Flare System
• Power Generation
• Closed Drain System
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 • Open Drain System
• Instrument and utility air package
• Hypochlorite generation package
• Diesel storage and supply system
• Heating medium system (Hot Oil, Water)
• Potable water generation and supply system
• Sewage treatment package
• Chemical injection package (storage and supply)
• Fire water system (Fire water pumps, jockey pumps, deluge valve etc)
• Sea water / cooling water system (sea water lift pumps, filters etc.)
• HVAC (Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning)
• Material Handling – Deck Cranes, Monorails
• Fire detection and Fighting system
• Safety Equipment
• Control and Shutdown system

OFFSHORE PLATFORM – WELL HEAD

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OFFSHORE PLATFORM – PROCESS

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 ASSIGNMENT - MODULE 2

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 UPSTREAM OIL AND GAS OVERVIEW

1. Write process description for the following:

i) Overall upstream oil & gas process

ii) Well Head Platform (WHP)

iii) Processing Facility

MODULE 3

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 FLUID PHASE BEHAVIOR

3.1 COMPOSITION OF WELL FLUID

• Well fluid is a mixture of one or more of the following

o Hydrocarbon liquids
o Hydrocarbon gases
o Non-hydrocarbon gases (N2, CO2, H2S, H2O etc)
o Produced water (with dissolved salts)
o Solids (sand)

• Hydrocarbon components in the mixture range from the lightest Methane

(CH4) to high molecular weight components with up to 40+ Carbon
atoms.

• Four primary types of hydrocarbons are found

o Paraffinic (Saturated straight or branched chains)
o Naphthenic (Saturated cyclo-paraffin)
o Olefinic (Unsaturated chains)
o Aromatic (Unsaturated cyclo-paraffin)

• Lighter components (C1 to C6) are predominantly Paraffinic

• Heavier components are predominantly Naphthenic, Olefinic and

Aromatic

3.2 DETERMINATON OF WELL FLUID COMPOSITION

• Reservoir fluid samples are collected via test wells. Laboratory analysis of
the collected sample enables establishing well fluid composition.

• Chromatographic analysis is typically used for determination of

composition of light components (up to C6 or C7).

• True boiling point or ASTM distillation technique can be used to

determine the composition of heavier fractions. The composition is
reported in terms of distillation cuts with associated properties (boiling
point, mol. Wt., and density).

• Properties like wax content & pour point are also determined.
• The analysis of liquid & vapour portions can be combined mathematically
to determine the overall reservoir composition.

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3.3 WELL FLUID PHASE BEHAVIOUR
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 P-T Phase Diagram – Well Fluid (Typical)

• PHASE: Is a homogeneous system i.e. a system in which the properties in

a gross sense are either same from point to point or change in a
continuous manner.

• CRITICAL POINT: For a multi-component system, this refers to the

temperature & pressure conditions at which the liquid & vapour phases
are identical.

• CRICONDENBAR: The maximum pressure at which the vapour & liquid

phases can co-exist at equilibrium in a multi-component system.

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 • CRICONDENTHERM: The maximum temperature at which the vapour
& liquid phases can co-exist at equilibrium in a multi-component system.

• DEW POINT: The temperature at any given pressure or the pressure at

any given temperature, at which liquid initially condenses from a gas or a
vapour.
o Water Dew point: Temperature at which water vapour starts to
condense from a gas mixture.
o Hydrocarbon Dew point: Temperature at which hydrocarbons start
to condense from a gas mixture.
o Dew point curve represents 100% vapour
o Vapour Fraction : 1

• BUBBLE POINT: The temperature at a specified pressure at which the

first stable vapour forms above a liquid.
o Bubble point curve represents 0 % vapour
o Vapour Fraction : 0

• GAS HYDRATES: Ice – like structures formed due to the presence of

water component along with lighter hydrocarbons at
o Low temperatures or
o High Pressures
• GOR (Gas to Oil Ratio): The ratio of gas to liquid hydrocarbon
produced from a well.

Normally reported in standard volume units of gas per standard volume

units of oil/liquid

E.g. standard cubic feet of gas per stock tank barrel (SCF/STB)

Based on the GOR the reservoirs are typically classified as follows

o GOR > 100,000 SCF/STB –GAS RESERVOIR
o GOR > 5000 - 100,000 SCF/STB –GAS-CONDENSATE
RESERVOIR
o GOR < 5000 SCF/STB –OIL RESERVOIR

3.4 EQUATIONS OF STATE

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 Equation of State is an equation that relates the P-V-T behaviour of the
fluid.
Following are some of the EOSs
o VIRIAL EQUATION
o BENEDICT-WEBB-RUBIN (BWR) EQUATION
o VAN DER WAAL EQUATION and its variations such as
 REDLICH KWONG (RK) EQUATION
 SOAVE REDLICH KWONG (SRK) EQUATION
 PENG ROBINSON (PR) EQUATION

Note: PENG ROBINSON is the most commonly used EOS for hydrocarbon
mixtures.

ASSIGNMENT - MODULE 3
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 FLUID PHASE BEHAVIOR
1. Prepare a UNIT CONVERSION TABLE specifying units (SI & FPS
systems) with conversion factors, for various operating and physical
property parameters.

Format:

Sl. No. Parameter SI FPS Conversion

factor

2. Convert 25MMSCFD (Metric Million [106] Standard Cubic Feet per Day)
of gas with molecular weight, MW = 26 into Mass Flow Rate (kg/h).

Hint:
i) Standard conditions (STP) – 15.5oC, I atm
ii) Normal conditions (NTP) – 0oC, 1 atm
iii) 1kgmol of any gas occupies 22.414 m3 at NTP

MODULE 4

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 PROCESS SIMULATION

4.1 INTRODUCTION

Process Simulation is

• A model-based representation of chemical, physical and other technical

processes and unit operations in software.
• Used for the design, development, analysis and optimization of
technical processes and is mainly applied to chemical plants and
processes.

4.2 PURPOSE

For the design of various components in any plant/facility, Process

Simulations are performed to

• Solve Mass and Energy balances using in-built mathematical models.

• Obtain the Flow rates, Compositions and Thermo Physical Properties

of process streams at its various operating conditions.

• Predict Phase behavior of Fluids.

Simulations are also performed to detect abnormal conditions like

• Formation of hydrates by hydrocarbons due to fall in pressure (&

temperature).

• Fall in temperature below hydrocarbon and / or water- dew point.

• Flashing of liquids across control valves or drain valves, etc.

• Condensation of vapors due to cooling.

• Latent heat data required at relieving conditions (temperature and

pressure) for safety valve sizing calculations.

• Time behavior of inventory streams during depressurization.

• Minimum temperatures during venting from high pressure to

atmosphere, which may affect material selection upstream and/or
downstream of vent valve (inclusive).

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4.3 STEADY STATE SIMULATION

• Steady-state models perform a mass and energy balance of a stationary

process (a process in an equilibrium state).

• Steady state simulators are used for

o Process design (to determine the process conditions required

to produce the desired product)

o Process equipment design (to size the equipment required

to produce the desired product)

o Process design optimization (to determine the optimum

configuration of equipment and maximize energy recovery)

o Process Optimization (to determine changes to the current

operating conditions that can either reduce operating costs or
increase production).

4.4 DYNAMIC SIMULATION

• It is an extension of steady-state process simulation whereby time-

dependence is built into the model.

• It requires increased calculation time and is mathematically more

complex than a steady state simulation.

• For process design, it is used for operator training and optimum

process control.

• It is used to study the response of the process to sudden changes in

operating conditions.

In dynamic process design simulators, the key operating

conditions are maintained using simple PID (Proportional,
Integral and Derivative) controllers.

4.5 SIMULATION SOFTWARE

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 • Process simulation software describes processes in flow diagrams
where unit operations are positioned and connected by product
streams or educts.
• The software solves the mass and energy balance to find a stable
operating point.

Some simulators:

• HYSYS – UPSTREAM OIL & GAS APPLICATIONS

PROPERTY PACKAGE – PENG ROBINSON

• PRO II & ASPEN PLUS – REFINERY APPLICATIONS

4.6 INPUTS FOR SIMULATION

Typical inputs required for simulating upstream oil and gas process are

• Well fluid composition

o Gas (dry or saturated)
o Oil (hypothetical data / ASTM or TBP Distillation data)

• Production profile indicating flow rates for gas, oil and water or GOR
or water cut data at stock tank conditions

• Operating flows, pressure & temperature at various points in the

process

• Product specifications

4.7 USES OF SIMULATION FOR PROCESS DESIGN

• Generate heat and material balance tables for the facility

• Generate process flow diagrams
• Perform equipment sizing calculations
• Perform line sizing calculations
• Perform instrument sizing calculations
• Generate process datasheets / specification for equipment and
instruments

4.8 HYSYS – THE SOFTWARE & ITS USAGE

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 HYSYS is a commercially available integrated simulation environment
designed for complete user customization. This enables the seamless
integration of proprietary unit operations, reactions and property
packages and interaction with other application to create powerful hybrid
programs, allowing companies to fully leverage engineering software
investments. With HYSYS, engineers need to develop only a single process
model that can be used from the conceptual design through on-line
application to improve designs, optimize production and enhance decision
making.

A feature of the PFD described in the simulation, allows us to trace the

calculation status of the objects in the flow sheets. There lies a status
indicator at the bottom of the property view for a stream or operation.

BRIEF INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE USE OF HYSYS

Use of this simulation software for chemical processing involves the

following steps:

1. Selection of components

2. Selection of a thermodynamic properties package

3. Construction of a flow sheet

4. Specification of known stream and unit compositions and conditions

5. Running the simulation program

6. Interpretation of the results

1. Selection of Components

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 Obtain the HYSYS window and select the blank sheet (New Case) on the
toolbar. This will open the Simulation Basis Manager window under
the tab Components. There should be no listing under Master Component
List. Press the View button, which should result in a Component List View
window appearing. Select components and press the Add Pure bar to
add them to the components list, until it contains all components present
in the desired simulation. For the example problem, select methane and
then ethane. Close this window to return to the Simulation Basis Manager
window.

2. Selection of the Thermodynamic Properties Package

Select the Fluid Pkgs tab at the bottom. Press the Add bar to open the
Fluid Package selection window. Select a fluid properties package by
highlighting it. Close this window to return again to the Simulation Basis
Manager window. It should read Basis-1, NC: 2, PP: Peng-Robinson.

Press the Enter Simulation Environment bar to go to the process flow

diagram window PFD – Case (Main). If you want to change the
components or thermodynamics package at a later time, you must re-enter
the Basis Environment, by clicking on the appropriate icon (conical
flask) on the toolbar above the flow sheet workspace.

3. Construction of Flow sheet

Expand the PFD (process flow diagram) worksheet to fill the screen. Now,
you must place the unit operations on the PFD workspace. This is
accomplished by selecting operations from the Case (Main) side toolbar
called the Object Palette, and left clicking again at the desired location
on the flow sheet. If you need to move units at any time, they can be
dragged across the workspace by clicking and holding the left mouse
button.

4 Specification of known stream and unit compositions and

conditions

Add the material stream on the PFD by clicking on the blue stream on
the object palette or press F4. Double click on the stream to bring up the
property view. Enter the composition of the stream and two of either
temperature, pressure or vapor fraction. Also input the molar/mass/std
ideal liquid volume flow. Providing this defines the stream and the stream
now becomes dark blue in color. Similarly add the unit operations from
the object palette as per the requirement of the problem. Double click on
40

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 the unit operation and select the inlet streams and provide the outlet
streams

Running the simulation program

To run a simulation, all that you need to do is press the Green Light
(Solver Active) icon on the toolbar just above the flow sheet. In fact this
should not be needed, as the simulation will run automatically, if all the
specifications have been made correctly, and the Green Light was on.
A feature of the PFD described in the simulation, allows us to trace the
calculation status of the objects in the flow sheets. There lies a status
indicator at the bottom of the property view for a stream or operation. This
indicator displays three different states for the object:

Interpretation of the results

The results of the simulation can be viewed by clicking on the Workbook

icon on the toolbar above the flow sheet

Notice that you can see some properties of streams and units by running
the arrow over each item on the PFD. You can toggle between stream
names, temperatures, pressures and flow rates by using Shift N, Shift T,
Status Description

Red Status A major piece of defining information is missing from the

object. For example, a feed or product stream is not attached to
a separator. The status indicator is red and an appropriate
warning message appears.

Yellow Status All major defining information is present but the stream or
operation has not been solved because one or more degrees of
freedom are present. For example a cooler whose outlet stream
temperature is unknown. The status indicator is yellow and
appropriate warning message appears

Green Status The stream or operation is completely defined and solved. The
status indicator is green and an OK message appears.

Shift P and Shift F combined keystrokes.

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 You can print the PFD by right clicking on it and choosing Print PFD. Or,
you can open the Workbook and right click on the banner, choosing Print
Datasheet. Be sure and save the PFD as when you add the unit operation,
by choosing Save As under the File menu.

4.9 TYPICAL OPERATIONS IN SIMULATION SCHEMES

• Mixer to join streams

• Tee to separate streams
• Valve to reduce pressure and study Joule-Thomson effect (cooling)
• Pumps/compressors to increase stream pressure
• Heaters and coolers for adjusting stream temperature
• Heat exchangers for exchange of heat between two streams in the same
scheme

• Separators, 2-phase to separate gas and liquid, 3-phase to separate gas,

oil & water

• Saturator to saturate any given stream with water vapor

• Splitter to split components hypothetically

• Columns with/without re-boiler and condenser for unit operation like

dehydration, absorption and/or distillation.

• Control operations like “SET”, “ADJUST”, “BALANCE” AND

“RECYCLE” for automatic iteration and cross-relation between
streams.

ASSIGNMENT - MODULE 4

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 1. Calculate mole fraction, weight fraction, and weight % for
the following components, based on their corresponding
mole %:

Component Mole %
N2 0.45
H2 S 0.62
CO2 5.94
CH4 81.61
C2 H 6 6.74
C3 H 8 2.37
i-C4H10 0.49
n-C4H10 0.7
i-C5H12 0.24
n-C5H12 0.23
C6H14 0.21
C7H16 0.41

2. Calculate Gas, Oil and Water flow rate in MMSCFD, BOPD

(Barrels Of Oil per Day, and BWPD (Barrels Of Water per
Day) respectively, from the following data:

GOR = 315 SCF/STB

Water cut = 20%
Gas flow rate = 40MMSCFD

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Copyright © 2009 by Indus USA Inc. USA. All rights are reserved