1 reply to this topic

[chemUW]

Hi all!,

I'm trying to track the fouling rate in an existing plate and frame heat exchanger in the plant. My plan is to use ASPEN Plus to model the plate exchanger and track the changing heat transfer coefficient over time. I have a clean heat transfer coefficient and some inputs that I can use to calculate a dirty heat transfer coefficient with(steam in pressure, steam flow, process side in/out temps). I know the geometry of my heat exchanger but is having trouble inputting the configuration into Plate+ calculation method in Aspen Plus. My questions are as follows.

1) How can I create the input file (under HTFS+ Options) that is required for the Plate+ calculation method?

2) Is there a way to carry out a time variant study of the heat transfer coefficient (based on changing LMTD due to fouling) in ASPEN Plus? I have used ASPEN Plus before but only for steady-state models where it provides a snapshot in time. Using the "fouling factor" might not work as it changes over time.

3) Once I figure out the model, my aim is to change various parameters (process flow rate, steam pressure etc.) and see how that affects the rate of fouling. Is ASPEN Plus suitable for such a task? If yes, which sections of ASPEN Plus should I look at?

I know this is very barebone so please ask me if you need any clarifications. Thanks in advance!

[jcazenave]

Hi

I am not sure I understood

Do you plan to run a model and try to match plant data and back calculate the current fouling. Option 1
or
Do you want to create a model that will simulate the fouling based on the process, like scaling overtime. Option 2

Lets call option 2 a prediction model. This is not part of Plate+, (BTW latest name is Aspen Plate Exchanger) I am not aware of anything that will tell you what is the fouling in x time based on your process (unless experience) but there are more expert member who might have an idea.

For Option 1. I dont think that you need Aspen +, you could use Plate directly with ASW which allows you to run multiple case of Plate from Excel. Plate is installed with some examples, if you open some of them you should see how to specify the input data.

let me know which one is the right option or even if i completly misunderstood

BTW if you are under Aspentech support, I am sure they will be able to help you.