Object-oriented Modular Model Library for Distillation

For modeling and simulation of distillation process, there are lots of special purpose simulators along with their model libraries, such as Aspen Plus and HYSYS. However, the models in these tools lack of flexibility and are not open to the end-user. Models developed in one tool can not be conveniently used in others because of the barriers among these simulators. In order to solve those problems, a flexible and extensible distillation system model library is constructed in this study, based on the Modelica and Modelica-supported platform MWorks, by the object-oriented technology and level progressive modeling strategy. It supports the reuse of knowledge on different granularities: physical phenomenon, unit model and system model. It is also an interface-friendly, accurate, fast PC-based and easily reusable simulation tool, which enables end-user to customize and extend the framework to add new functionality or adapt the simulation behavior as required. It also allows new models to be composed programmatically or graphically to form more complex models by invoking the existing components. A conventional air distillation column model is built and calculated using the library, and the results agree well with that simulated in Aspen Plus.