Database Integration for Process Simulation Flowsheets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional process simulation systems, especially dynamic systems, are difficult to use, requiring simulation specialists and lacking user-friendly interfaces, which hinders their adoption and effectiveness in industries like chemical processing.
Innovation Solution
A simulation system that integrates a database application with a process simulation application using an integration tool, allowing for dynamic mapping of objects and properties, enabling user-friendly input and output management, and orchestrated calculation capabilities, facilitating easier operation and automation of multiple simulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional process simulation systems are used, then simulation functionality is provided, but the systems are difficult to use and require simulation specialists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spreadsheet user interface as an intermediary layer between the user and the process simulation system. This spreadsheet acts as a mediator that translates user-friendly spreadsheet operations into simulation system commands, allowing users to interact with complex simulation functionality through familiar spreadsheet interfaces without needing to understand the underlying simulation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the simulation system into distinct functional modules including the spreadsheet user interface, data management layer, and simulation engine. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific tasks independently, reducing the perceived complexity for users while maintaining full simulation functionality in the background
2Reliability
If simulation specialist training is required, then accurate simulations can be performed, but adoption is hindered due to specialized knowledge requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The spreadsheet interface enables users to perform simulations through self-service operations familiar to spreadsheet users. The system provides automated data management, calculation orchestration, and result interpretation, allowing users to conduct accurate simulations without requiring specialized simulation training or expert intervention
3Adaptability or versatility
If discrete stand-alone products are used for database and simulation, then product independence is maintained, but integration and data management become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the database application and process simulation application into a unified integrated system. This integration allows seamless data exchange between database operations and simulation calculations, eliminating the need for complex manual data transfer processes while maintaining the functional independence of each component through defined interface protocols
4Ease of operation
If manual data management is used, then flexibility is maintained, but time consumption increases for batch runs and multiple simulations
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system implements continuous automated data management that seamlessly handles batch runs and multiple simulations without manual intervention. The system continuously orchestrates data retrieval from databases, executes simulation calculations, and manages result storage, eliminating idle time and manual workflow interruptions while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable parameters
Data Source
AI summary
A simulation system includes at least one processor configured to execute a computer program product, stored upon a storage medium. The computer program product includes a database application, a process simulation application, and an integration tool, where the database application and the process simulation application are discrete, stand alone products. The process simulation application can simulate industry processes using at least one flowsheet, which models a general flow of industry processes. The integration tool can map process simulation application objects and properties to database application objects, can convey information between mapped objects, can perform case management functions, and can perform orchestrated calculation functions.