gPROMS
It allows process designers and operations personnel within operating companies and their technology suppliers to quantify process design and operation as never before, leading to real increases in revenue and savings on capital and operational costs.
gPROMS is the result of many years of research into advanced modelling and simulation techniques at the Centre for Process Systems Engineering at Imperial College in London. The resulting software, tested in exacting applications by academic users over many years, was acquired by the company and has been marketed as a commercial product since 1997.
It covers the full range of processes, from purely batch to purely continuous. The package includes some notable industry firsts- such as modelling of distributed parameter systems and rigorous optimization of dynamic processes- as standard features. It also embodies a level of 'openness' unprecedented in commercial simulation software, providing extensive facilities for linking to external software across a range of hardware and software platforms.
This software is widely recognized as a 'best-in-class' simulation package. It is designed to be both a fully-fledged simulation environment in its own right, and a simulation engine which can be embedded in vendor applications or combined with other 'best-in-class' applications to provide a comprehensive design and operations tool.
The benefits of gPROMS
gPROMS provides operating companies with a highly sophisticated tool for modelling their processes to accuracy which is currently limited only by the quality of process or design data available. This enables critical design and operational decisions to be based on rigorous quantitative analysis.
Advanced features such as dynamic optimization allow simultaneous optimization of equipment sizes and operating procedures. This not only has the potential to shorten the design period significantly, it creates capital and operational savings which will be realised over the lifetime of the plant.
It is already delivering demonstrated business benefits to some of the world's largest processing companies, and the underlying technology means that there is significant potential for expansion in completely new areas not accessible to existing simulators.
gPROMS Concepts
gPROMS allows model developers to write models of the most complex processes and their operating procedures- from the detailed mathematical equations for individual components, to the structure and operation of large complex systems composed of many such components- using a sophisticated natural language.
Engineering Reality
With an accurate gPROMS model of their process in equation form, engineers can simulate the system behavior, estimate unknown parameters from available data, optimize design and performance, and communicate with other applications and systems through sophisticated interfaces.
This means that the same basic models can be used to solve a range of critical design and operational problems, providing a multiple payback on modelling investment.
On-site decision support
The software allows operations personnel to run sophisticated models of their plants from a Windows front end to provide operations decision support, solve operational problems on a daily basis, or provide process training. This leads to a more efficient operation, closer to the optimum, helping to increase revenues and reduce costs.
Open systems
gPROMS embodies a level of 'openness' unprecedented in engineering simulation software. The package has been designed specifically with the intention of providing easy communication with other 'best-of-breed' software, running on different hardware or software platforms if necessary.
Single-model concept
Many of the benefits of gPROMS can be realized using a single underlying gPROMS model. For companies who invest in embodying their corporate expertise in accurate models of the plant early on, the rewards can be significant. These are the companies who will be able to respond most rapidly to changing markets in the future.
If required, existing models are easily converted from 'first generation' dynamic simulation tools. Little retraining is required and investment in manpower and models is safeguarded.
Process Systems Enterprise Limited, Bridge Studios, 107a Hammersmith Bridge Road Hammersmith, W6 9DA United Kingdom