Modular dynamic simulation for integrated particulate processes by means of tool integration

In this contribution a sequential modular strategy for the dynamic simulation of particulate process flowsheets is presented and the efficiency of the approach is demonstrated by means of an example process for the crystallization of pentaerythritol. The flowsheet of the process consists of a number of different unit operations, e.g. evaporator, crystallizer, hydrocyclone, and mixer, which are described by mathematical models of largely varying complexity and structure. A key advantage of the presented sequential modular strategy is that specialized tools can be selected for the modelling and solution of each unit operation in the flowsheet. The tools are then coupled together by means of the tool integration framework CHEOPS in order to capture the overall structure of the flowsheet. In a case study, a startup of a crystallization flowsheet is carried out. As a result, detailed information about the dynamic plantwide process behavior is obtained. The practical relevance of the approach is demonstrated by means of a scenario where potential blocking of the filters following the crystallizer has been analyzed.