RadFrac

Process Modeling
using Aspen Plus
Faculty of Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Pahang
2008

Objectives
Enter the minimum input required for the
RadFrac fractionation model
Implement design specifications

Aspen Workshop 2008

RadFrac Flowsheet Connectivity

Aspen Workshop 2008

Some RadFrac options

To set up an absorber with no condenser or reboiler, set
condenser and reboiler to none on the RadFrac Setup
Configuration sheet

Either Vaporization or Murphree efficiency on either a stage or

component basis can be specified on the RadFrac Efficiency form

Tray and packed column design and rating is possible

A second liquid phase may be modeled if the user selects VaporLiquid-Liquid as Valid phase

Reboiler and condenser heat curves can be generated

Aspen Workshop 2008

RadFrac demonstration
Mole fraction

RadFrac Specifications
Partial condenser
Kettle reboiler
15 stages
R = 1.5
Distillate to feed ratio = 0.6
Column pressure = 315
psia
Feed stage = 8

OVHD

C1: 0.26
C2: 0.09
C3: 0.25
nC4: 0.17
nC5: 0.11
nC6: 0.12
FEED

B1

Flow= 1000 lbmol/hr

T= 190 F
P= 315 psia

BOTM

Use the RKS-BM Property

method

Aspen Workshop 2008

RadFrac Configuration Sheet

Specify

Number of stage
Condenser and reboiler
configuration
Two column operating
specifications
Default: distillate rate and
reflux ratio
Valid phases
Convergence

Aspen Workshop 2008

RadFrac Setup Streams Sheet

Specify

Feed stream location

Feed stream convention
Above-stage
On-stage
Bottom and overhead
product streams
Side products

Aspen Workshop 2008

RadFrac Setup Pressure Sheet

Specify one of:

Top/bottom pressure
Pressure profile
Section pressure drop

Aspen Workshop 2008

Plot Wizard (1)

Use the plot wizard (on th eplot menu) to quickly
generate plot results of a simulation. You can
use the Plot wizard for displaying results for the
following operations:

Assay data analysis

Physical property analysis
Data regression analysis
Profiles for all separation models including RadFrac,
MultiFrac, and PetroFrac

Click the object of interest in the data browser to

generate plots for that particular object
Aspen Workshop 2008

Plot Wizard (2)

The Plot Wizard guides

you in the basic

operations for generating
a plot
In Step 2, click the plot
type you wish to
generate, then click
Next> to continue
Click the Finish button to
generate a plot with
default settings

Aspen Workshop 2008

Plot Wizard Demonstration

Use the Plot Wizard to create plots of temperature, flows, and
compositions throughout the column

Aspen Workshop 2008

Design Specs and Vary

Design specifications can be specified inside the

RadFrac block using DesignSpecs and Vary forms

One or more RadFrac inputs can be manipulated to
achieve specifications on one or more RadFrac
performance parameters
The number of specs should, in general, be equal to the
number of varies
The DesignSpecs and Varys in a RadFrac are solved in
a Middle loop. If you get an error message saying that
the middle loop was not converged, check the
DesignSpecs and Varys you have entered.
Aspen Workshop 2008

Workshop (1)
Methanol Tower

Objective: Set up a methanol tower

B1
DIST
FEED

63.2 wt% water

36.8 wt% methanol
Flow= 120000 lb/hr
Pressure= 18 psia
Saturated liquid

Use the NRTL-RK

property method

BOTM

38 trtays (40 stages)

Feed tray= 23 (stage 24)
Total condenser
Top stage pressure= 16.1 psia
Pressure drop per stage= 0.1
psia
Distillate flow rate= 1245
lbmol/hr
Molar reflux ratio= 1.3

Aspen Workshop 2008

Part A
Record the column duties:

Condenser duty:
Reboiler duty:

Record composition:

Mass fraction of methanol in the distillate:

Mass fraction of water in the bottom:

Make plots of temperature, flows, and

composition
Aspen Workshop 2008

Part B
Set up DesignSpecs within the column so
that there is:

99.95 wt% methanol in the distillate

99.90 wt% water in the bottom

Vary the distillate rate (800-1700 lbmol/hr)

and reflux ratio (0.8-2)
Record the final values for:
Distillate rate:
Condenser duty:

Reflux rate:
Reboiler duty:

Aspen Workshop 2008

Part C
Perform the same calculations after
specifying a 65% Murphree efficiency for
each tray. Assume the condenser and
reboiler have stage efficiencies of 90%.
Determine how these efficiencies affect
the column duties:
Condenser duty:

Reboiler duty:

Aspen Workshop 2008

Part D
Perform a tray sizing calculation for the
entire column, given that Bubble Cap trays
are used
Record the predicted column diameter

Aspen Workshop 2008