PCL

Module 9
Objectives
Define PCL
Examine sample PCL files
Examine online reference
Modify cylindrical heater case
(Example 9)
Run PCL case
Examine output reports

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PCL
Program Command Language

Input format used by Xfh calculation

engine
Text format editable with any text editor
(e.g., Notepad)
Access to all capabilities of Xfh engine
cannot access HTRI process methods

Always in U.S. customary units

Sample PCL files installed with Xfh

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Documentation

Reference section
contains PCL
information

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Documentation

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Documentation

3.0

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PCL Structure
Use keywords
Hierarchical
Top-level keywords containing sub-keywords
Keywords followed by position dependent
parameters
Model heater problems by linking
STREAM and SEGMENT commands
STREAM Defines radiant-side streams
SEGMENT Defines portion of fired heater
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PCL Top-Level Keywords

Keyword Description
TOPP Required first record
STREAM Set stream composition/conditions
SEGMENT Define fired heater segment
RP53 Call API530 tube design package
PRINT Print streams and operating conditions
PRNTFG Print flue-gas property table
MESSAGE Print user-specified message
COPY Copy one stream to another
EXIT Exit simulation

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STREAM Keywords*
Keyword Description
TITLE Set stream description
PTW Set pressure, temperature, and flow rate
GAS Set gas composition
WATER Define stream as water
STEAM Define stream as steam
NONGAS Solid or non-fuel oil stream
FUELOIL Define fuel oil stream
AIR Define stream as air
LAST End stream definition

* Does not contain all STREAM keywords

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SEGMENT Keywords
Keyword Description
BURN Set streams to combust
BURNDATA Set burn parameters (e.g., excess air)
MIX Mix two streams
SPLIT Split a stream
RADBOX Single-zone radiant chamber
CONV Convection section
CYLIN Multi-zone vertical cylindrical heater
BXHTR Multi-zone box heater
LAST End segment definition

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 STREAM Example

STREAM keyword starts

definition of new stream
STREAM 0 1 /
TITLE FUEL GAS /
PTW 70 F 27 PSIG 1 LB/H /
GAS 0.6139 H2 0.2384 C1 0.0495 C2 0.0554 C3 0.0213 NC4
0.0052 NC5 0.0074 NC6 0.0044 N2 0.0045 CO2 /
QFUEL 60.E6 / 60% GAS
LAST /
STREAM 0 2 / AMBIENT AIR TO GAS BURNER
TITLE AMBIENT AIR_TO GASBURNR /
PTW 74 F 0 PSIG 1 LB/H 0 $/KLB /
AIR 45 %RH /
LAST /

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 STREAM Example

STREAM 0 1 / Stream number

TITLE FUEL GAS /
PTW 70 F 27 PSIG 1 LB/H /
GAS 0.6139 H2 0.2384 C1 0.0495 C2 0.0554 C3 0.0213 NC4
0.0052 NC5 0.0074
StreamNC6 0.0044 N2 0.0045 CO2 /
description
QFUEL 60.E6 / 60% GAS
LAST /
STREAM 0 2 / AMBIENT AIR TO GAS BURNER
TITLE AMBIENT AIR_TO GASBURNR /
PTW 74 F 0 PSIG 1 LB/H 0 $/KLB /
AIR 45 %RH /
LAST /

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 STREAM Example

Pressure, temperature, and flow rate

STREAM 0 1 /
TITLE FUEL GAS /
PTW 70 F 27 PSIG 1 LB/H /
GAS 0.6139 H2 0.2384 C1 0.0495 C2 0.0554 C3 0.0213 NC4
0.0052 NC5 0.0074 NC6 0.0044 N2 0.0045 CO2 /
QFUEL 60.E6 / 60% GAS
LAST /
Type (GAS)
STREAM and composition
0 2 / AMBIENT of stream
AIR TO GAS BURNER
TITLE AMBIENT AIR_TO GASBURNR /
PTW 74 F 0 PSIG 1 LB/H 0 $/KLB /
AIR 45 %RH /
LAST /

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 STREAM Example

STREAM 0 1 /
Desired heat release (LHV)
TITLE FUEL GAS /
PTW 70 F 27 (stream
PSIG 1 flow
LB/Hrate
/ was set to 1)
GAS 0.6139 H2 0.2384 C1 0.0495 C2 0.0554 C3 0.0213 NC4
0.0052 NC5 0.0074 NC6 0.0044 N2 0.0045 CO2 /
QFUEL 60.E6 / 60% GAS
LAST /
STREAM 0 2 / AMBIENT AIR TO GAS BURNER
TITLE AMBIENT AIR_TO GASBURNR /
PTW 74 F 0 PSIG 1 LB/H 0 $/KLB /
AIR 45 %RH /
LAST / End of stream definition

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 STREAM Example

Lines can extend on multiple lines

STREAM 0 1 / until closing mark (/)
TITLE FUEL GAS /
PTW 70 F 27 PSIG 1 LB/H /
GAS 0.6139 H2 0.2384 C1 0.0495 C2 0.0554 C3 0.0213 NC4
0.0052 NC5 0.0074 NC6 0.0044 N2 0.0045 CO2 /
QFUEL 60.E6 / 60% GAS
LAST /
STREAM 0 2 / AMBIENT AIR TO GAS BURNER
TITLE AMBIENT AIR_TO GASBURNR /
PTW 74 F 0 PSIG 1 LB/H 0 $/KLB /
Keywords end with a closing mark (/);
AIR 45 %RH /
LAST /
comments can be added at end

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 SEGMENT Example

SEGMENT 1 4 / HEATER
CYLIN /
CYPLVL 2 /
Start of SEGMENT 4
CYPSWT 0 -1 / (previous SEGMENTs are two burn
CYSTRM 8 2 9 10 1 2 0 4 5operations
6 37/ and one mix operation)
CYGEOM 57.50 19.33 18.00 0.0 13.46 / H,DW,DTC,RFD1,RFD2
CYBURN 8.5 1.50 8 0.0 20.0 0.00 / DBC,DBN,NBN,FL,ALPHAD,FPC
CYINSR / INSULATION AND REFRACTORY RECORD
This.2000
0.0 SEGMENT
.0000E-4 defines a cylindrical heater
2000. / WALL
0.0 .2000 .0000E-4 1750. / FLOOR
0.0 .2000 .0000E-4 1500. / ROOF

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 SEGMENT Example
SEGMENT 1 4 / HEATER CYLIN keywords define
CYLIN / geometry, stream connectivity,
CYPLVL 2 /
CYPSWT 0 -1 /
burner parameters, etc.
CYSTRM 8 2 9 10 1 2 0 4 5 6 3 7 /
CYGEOM 57.50 19.33 18.00 0.0 13.46 / H,DW,DTC,RFD1,RFD2
CYBURN 8.5 1.50 8 0.0 20.0 0.00 / DBC,DBN,NBN,FL,ALPHAD,FPC
CYINSR / INSULATION AND REFRACTORY RECORD
0.0 .2000 .0000E-4 2000. / WALL
0.0 .2000 .0000E-4 1750. / FLOOR
0.0 .2000 .0000E-4 1500. / ROOF

Indentation not required but

useful for reading input file

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Running PCL Input Files

Start Command Console

Select Start/Accessories/Command Prompt
Change directory to Xfh 4.0 data directory
C:\HTRI\XchangerSuite4\Samples by default
Use XfhRUN batch file
XFHRUN MyPCLFile.DAT

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Edit Batch File

Edit run command to point

to location of Xfh400.EXE

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Example PCL Run

You type this

Batch file starts and

displays commands that run
specified case
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Example PCL Run
Messages produced by Xfh calculation engine

When batch file ends,

command prompt returns
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Examining PCL Run Results
XFHRUN always puts results in file
FH.SUM
FH.SUM can be viewed/printed using any
text editor
Most reports are similar to Xfh 4.0
spreadsheet reports

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PCL Run Output

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Example 9
Modify an existing cylindrical heater
Test Case 5 from Xfh 4.0 sample cases
Adjust burners
Modify flame length to become function of heat
release
Change number of burners

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Original Burner Layout

Burners
Burner circle

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 Modify Flame Length
Edit input file using Notepad
C:\HTRI\DataFiles\Workshop\Example9.PCL
Find CYVAR record
Modify FLEN sub command
Set A = B = 1
Save file

CYVAR /
CNVHTC 2.0 1.0 / WEIGHTING FACTOR FOR FORCED & FREE CNVHTC
EMIS 0.94 0.60 0.00 900. / EMT,EMR,EMSR,TSRF
GASPRP 0. / ACKSOT
FLEN 1 1 / FL=A*Q**B
LAST / EXIT FROM CYVAR

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Example 9
Run modified case
C:\HTRI\Datafiles\Workshop\Example9A.PCL
Note results
Absorbed radiant duty (Page 9)
Flame length (Page 10)
Flue gas exit temperature (Page 11)
Maximum wall temperature (Page 12)
Fuel flow rate Total of both fuels (Page 19)
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Example 9

Change number of burners

Modify third item on CYBURN data record
Run cases with 7 and 6 burners
Note results
Burner throat diameter is specified
throat velocity increases as diameter decreases

Burner throat velocity can be specified

burner diameter increases as velocity decreases

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Example 9
Results

Maximum
Radiant Flame Flue Gas
Fuel Wall
Burners Duty Length Temperature
(lb/hr) Temperature
(MM Btu/hr) (ft) (F)
(F)
8 6625 72.9 17.2 1784 924
7 6659 71.9 19.8 1819 914
6 6710 70.6 23.2 1864 900

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Example 9
Results
Number of burners decreases
Flame length increases
Radiant absorption decreases slightly
Maximum wall temperature decreases

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Module 9 (PCL)
Review

Xfh calculation engine uses PCL format

Generated by Xfh interface
End-user can create/modify PCL files
Run cases in DOS mode
PCL is required for certain types of cases
Multiple radiant sections
No process-side calculations
PCL bypasses HTRI process methods

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