

Some preliminary or 'back of the envelope' calculations are generally recommended. Usually, you must set the number of stages and see what type of separation results. This information could come from an approximate method, such as the McCabe-Thiele approach, general modeling of the T-x-y behavior, or residue curve maps.ĪSPEN cannot tell you how many stages to use for a given separation except in approximate cases using conceptual design. For instance, a user should have some idea of the column behavior before attempting to use ASPEN. Therefore, a solid understanding of the underlying chemical engineering principles is required to supply reasonable values of input parameters and to evaluate the suitability of the results obtained. It takes a design that the user supplies and simulates the performance of the process specified in that design. ASPEN can handle very complex processes, including multiple-column separation systems, chemical reactors, distillation of chemically reactive compounds, and even electrolyte solutions like mineral acids and sodium hydroxide solutions.ĪSPEN does not design the process. This accurate modeling of thermodynamic properties is particularly important in the separation of non-ideal mixtures, and ASPEN has a large data bases of regressed parameters.


This information can then be used in an iterative fashion to optimize the design. Given a process design and an appropriate selection of thermodynamic models, ASPEN uses mathematical models to predict the performance of the process. ASPEN is a process simulation software package widely used in industry.
