Question

Suppose you now work for a small specialty chemical manufacturer. You are tasked with

providing recommendations for Sim software. You have narrowed it down to either of CHEMCAD or

ProSim Plus. Please provide me with a one page (200 words) summary to advise me which one to

purchase. I am looking for you to give me an understanding of what sim software is, and the advantages

or disadvantages of each for my application

Answer 1

Simulation software (or Sim Software) is based on the process of modeling a real phenomenon with a set of mathematical formulas. It is, essentially, a program that allows the user to observe an operation through simulation without actually performing that operation. Simulation software is used widely to design equipment so that the final product will be as close to design specs as possible without expensive in process modification. Simulation software with real-time response is often used in gaming, but it also has important industrial applications. When the penalty for improper operation is costly, such as nuclear power plant operators, or chemical plant operators, a mock up of the actual control panel is connected to a real-time simulation of the physical response, giving valuable training experience without fear of a disastrous outcome. Advanced computer programs can simulate power system behavior, weather conditions, chemical reactions, heat pumps, feedback control systems, atomic reactions, even complex biological processes. In theory, any phenomena that can be reduced to mathematical data and equations can be simulated on a computer. Simulation can be difficult because most natural phenomena are subject to an almost infinite number of influences. Simulationn has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of its advantages are

• It can avoid danger and loss of life.
• Conditions can be varied and outcomes investigated.
• Critical situations can be investigated without risk.
• It is cost effective.
• Simulations can be sped up so behaviour can be studied easily over a long period of time.
• Simulations can be slowed down to study behaviour more closely.

Looking at the disadvantages,

• It can be expensive to measure how one thing affects another, to take the initial measurements and to create the model itself (such as aerodynamic wind tunnels).
• To simulate something, a thorough understanding is needed and an awareness of all the factors involved. Without this, a simulation cannot be created.

CHEMCAD is Chemstations’ software suite for process simulation that broadens an engineer’s capabilities and increases productivity. CHEMCAD helps engineers when facing the toughest chemical process models or addressing day-to-day challenges.CHEMCAD is scalable and allows users to purchase only the features they need for a specific industry and process, enabling them to create their own customized version. This results in ultimate flexibility and affordability.CHEMCAD is an integrated suite of intuitive chemical process simulation software that fits into the chemical engineering workflow and supercharges an engineer's efficiency. Most significantly, it continues to evolve to meet the ever-expanding needs of chemical engineers. Process simulation as discipline uses mathematical models as basis for analysis, prediction, testing, detection of a process behavior, whether the process is existing in reality or not. Process simulation is there to increase the level of knowledge for a particular process and chemical engineering in general.

Some of the benefits of CHEMCAD are

• Highly customizable, flexible, and affordable
• All modules work within a single graphical user interface for seamless interaction
• Adapts to how you approach engineering challenges
• Appealing graphics and reports are easy to export to third-party software
• Easily integrates into chemical engineering computing environment
• Personalized technical support second to none

ProSimPlus is a process engineering software that performs rigorous mass and energy balance calculations for a wide range of industrial steady-state processes. It is used in design as well as in operation of existing plants for performance optimization, units troubleshooting or debottlenecking, plants revamping or for front-end engineering analysis.

Deciding between CHEMCAD or ProSimPlus is a difficult task as each of the softwares has its own end applications and demands that are met. CHEMCAD is mostly used of developing a new plant from start, while ProSimPlus is used for troubleshooting and development. So it is better to give with ProSim Plus. However it is better to check the application in both the softwares in trail versions and check the efficiency of the process and decide.