7 replies to this topic

[peter317]

Currently I'm working on a project to optimize processes using HYSYS. So, I wanna access plant cost via Automation but I can't find anything related to that in HYSYS customization guide. Can you help? It will be very helpful if you can provide anything in any programming language (snippets) or just methodology for acquiring interfaces.

 

Thank you

[pavanayi]

peter317,

 

Could you explain in detail about your intent? The Hysys simulation model will not (by itself) give you enough information to size any equipment to get a reasonable equipment cost. 

 

When you mention optimization, what is your objective variable? What optimizer are you using? Do you have any equipment cost data? 

 

Pavanayi

[peter317]

Thank you Pavanayi for your reply. in HYSYS 8.8, you can get the plant cost using cost panel (it actually links to APEA which perform automatic sizing and cost calculations) The optimization tool is programmed by me (C++). My objective function is plant cost. I access HYSYS via Automation and retreive the data I need for the optimization and was wondering if I can interface with APEA through HYSYS

[Bobby Strain]

You will find it impossible to optimize plant cost. You may have a market model, but it will be yours. It won't necessarily reflect the real market situation. You can optimize the plant capacity based on your market model, but you can't optimize plant cost. What you are most likely to optimize is return on investment or net present value based on your market model. There is always a degree of uncertainty in plant cost and market. For evaluation in early development you only need the cost of a plant for a single capacity. All other capacity plant's cost can be scaled from this single estimate. Take a look at recent LNG projects and markets. Or, better yet, the LNG import terminals built in the USA to import LNG to fill the gap of domestic production. But, good luck.

 

Bobby

Edited by Bobby Strain, 12 December 2016 - 10:45 PM.

[peter317]

Thank you Bobby for your reply. I'm aware of the uncertainty, but my goal was accessing the plant cost estimated by HYSYS via APEA through automation interfaces, but that is not possible (I just received the reply from Aspen Tech) I think I will rely on literature estimations for cost and build my own cost estimator... Don't think that it's gonna b accurate but I guess I have no other choice.

[Bobby Strain]

I'm curious about your model to optimize capital cost for a plant. And, what exactly is it that you optimize? I would think that the optimum cost is zero. But maybe you have a multi-product plant with some constraints. But still, I can't understand what there is to optimize regarding plant cost. Surely you must be optimizing some other variable that is a function of plant capital cost.

 

Bobby

[pavanayi]

Peter317,

 

As I asked originally and again by Bobby Strain in the post above, what is your objective function? I doubt capital cost is your objective. As Bobby Strain said, it has to be aligned with Expenditure (Capital Cost, raw material cost, utilities cost), Revenue (how much money you're likely to receive by selling products from the plant), interest rate etc. 

 

I wouldn't trust the automatic sizing/costing tool in Hysys because I cannot verify the results of the sizing calculations. I will instead recommend use standalone APEA so you can see the basis of costing. 

 

Building your own cost estimator (to any decent degree of accuracy) will not be an easy task. Also. as you have already discovered, it is not possible to access APEA through automation. It may be easier to make a Discreet plant capacity vs required investment plot and fit into whatever is your final objective. You can harness the APEA cost base that way, taking into consideration that the cost obtained using default parameters (engineering location, labour efficiency etc.) may not be applicable to your case and you have to customize it for your requirement.

 

Is this for an existing plant? Are you in industry or in Academia?

 

Pavanayi

Edited by pavanayi, 15 December 2016 - 06:09 AM.

[peter317]

Sorry for very late reply.. My objective function is cost and Energy simultaneously (multi-objective optimization). Of course, I have many restrictions otherwise -as you mentioned- the optimum would be cost of zero. The main obvious restriction is product quality. And I'm in the academia field but since I ve worked for couple years before, Im aiming to produce something thats usable rather than theoretical..