Training Course Data Sheet

EAP281

Aspen Plus:
Process Simulation with
Aspen Polymers

Course Number

EAP281

 Duration:

3 days

CEUs Awarded:

2.1

 Level:

Intermediate

Course Overview

·         After completing this training course you will be able to model polymerization processes using Aspen Polymers.  Through a combination of classroom-style instructions and hands-on workshops, you will learn to:

·         Define a complete polymer process flowsheet model, including the polymer characterization, the unit operations, and the physical property models

·         Specify various polymerization kinetic schemes, starting from background theoretical information, to their implementation and use in Aspen Polymers

·         Use reactor tuning parameters, as they apply to variables in a polymer process, in order to achieve convergence

·         Estimate polymer properties and also regress them from experimental data

·         Perform engineering studies and plant data fitting

·         Apply models to test concepts for plant improvements

·         Apply models to test concepts for plant improvements

Course Benefits

·         Gain an overview of the key modeling issues for polymer processes

·         Acquire knowledge about polymer thermodynamics and phase equilibria

·         Learn the modeling approach for a variety of polymerization kinetics

·         Understand the basic steps for quickly and successfully developing polymer process models

·         Know how to use Aspen Polymers in combination with Aspen Plus to develop advanced models of polymerization processes

Who Should Attend

·         R&D staff responsible for developing polymer process models

·         Anyone interested in optimizing their polymer processes and improving the plant productivity and product quality 

·         Anyone who wishes to learn about modeling polymer systems

Approach

·         Instruction on basic topics

·         Detailed discussion of technical foundation for simulator features for polymer processes

·         Demonstrations of features

·         Instructor-guided exercises

·         Hands-on workshops that apply learned concepts

·         Detailed course notes

Prerequisites

·         Must have attended “EAP101 Aspen Plus: Process Modeling” training course or have a good working knowledge of using Aspen Plus

·         EAP201 Aspen Plus: Physical Properties for Process Engineers

Suggested Subsequent Courses

·         EAP 2112 Process Flowsheet Convergence in Aspen Plus

·         Advanced polymers training is available by arrangement

EAP281 Aspen Plus: Process Simulation with Aspen Polymers Course Agenda

·          Discuss and review background information about; Aspen Polymers, polymerization processes and process  modeling

·          Demonstrate how to setup and characterize components for modeling a polymerization process

·          Demonstrate how to view polymer attribute results

·          Workshop: Setup and characterize the components for modeling a styrene free radical solution polymerization process.

·          Identify and explain the Property Option Sets in Aspen Polymers

·          Review the criteria for selecting a Property Option Sets

·          Workshop: Specify the property option set for a styrene free radical solution polymerization process.

·          Identify and explain Polymer Thermo-physical Property Models

·          Discuss and review the technical details of the model

·          Determine how to verify pure component properties

·          Workshop:  Estimate/fit van Krevelen density parameters for a segment that does not exist in the databank.

·          Review phase equilibrium calculations with activity coefficient option sets and the model parameters

·          Review the procedure to verify phase equilibrium calculations and fit binary interaction parameters if necessary

·          Review the procedure to estimate NRTL binary interaction parameters using the UNIFAC model

·          Workshop:  Regress the POLYNRTL asymmetric binary interaction parameters for Polystyrene – Methylcyclohexane (MCH).

·          Review phase equilibrium calculations with equation-of-state option sets and the model parameters

·          Review the procedure to verify physical property and phase equilibrium calculations, and fit unary/binary interaction parameters when necessary

·          Workshop:  Fit the heat of polymerization and the heat capacity of polyethylene using the PCSAFT EOS.

·          Polymer Product Quality Measure

·          Review Structure – Property Correlations

·          Discuss interfacing Structure – Property Correlations to Aspen Polymers model

·          Review and discuss the following topics; Classification of Polymerization Kinetics, Chain-Growth Reactions, Molecular Weight Distribution

·          Review the built-in reactions in the free radical kinetic model

·          Identify and explain how to setup free radical polymerization kinetics

·          Workshop: Develop familiarity with the free-radical kinetic model features.

·          Identify and explain the built-in reactions in the Ziegler-Natta kinetic model

·          Discuss how to select appropriate reactions for a particular catalyst and setup Ziegler-Natta polymerization kinetics

·          Workshop: Setup Ziegler-Natta kinetics for a HDPE solution process.

·          Review the step-growth kinetic model features

·          Discuss how to setup reactions for a condensation polymerization

·          Workshop:  Use the step-growth kinetics model to simulate the first stages of a nylon-6 process.

·          Review the segment-based kinetic model use and its features

·          Discuss how to setup reactions

·          Workshop: Learn about the features and usage of the Segment-Based polymer modification reaction model.

·          Introduce emulsion polymerization

·          Review the emulsion polymerization kinetic model features

·          Discuss how to setup reactions

·          Workshop: Develop familiarity with emulsion polymerization kinetics

·          Introduce ionic polymerization

·          Review ionic polymerization kinetic model features

·          Discuss how to setup reactions

·          Workshop: Develop familiarity with ionic polymerization kinetics.

·          Review the reactor models in Aspen Plus

·          Discuss details of rate-based reactor models

·          Discuss and review details of reactor and flowsheet convergence

·          Learn how to use the Data-Fit feature in Aspen Plus to fit polymerization kinetic parameters

·          Workshop: Fit kinetic parameters for the thermal polymerization of styrene.

Aspen Technology, Inc.^® awards Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for training and development activities conducted by our organization in accordance with the definition established by the International Association of Continuing Education & Training (IACET). One CEU is granted for every 10 hours of class participation.