A multi-platform, multi-language environment for process modelling, simulation and optimisation

Abstract

Process simulators like ASPEN PLUS and HYSYS are coming with the option of integrating their functions with special purpose programs for simulation and/or optimisation. However, a comprehensive account of how to do such integration is unavailable in the open literature. The broad objective of this paper is to describe such integration and discuss the benefits through a realistic example. The first part of this paper presents a detailed directive of building an integrated platform of programming languages like Visual Basic, C++ and FORTRAN to tap the functions of HYSYS and special purpose programs. The second part describes simulating a styrene plant in HYSYS followed by its multi-objective optimisation using the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm program in C++. Copyright © 2007 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.