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ProMax Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Questions and Installation
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What are the minimum operating system requirements?
Windows NT4/SP6a (Workstation or Server), Windows 2000/SP3 (Workstation or Server), or Windows XP (Professional or Home). ProMax is also compatible with Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2003 Server Terminal Services. ProMax is compatible with the later service packs for Windows 2000 and Windows XP including Windows 2000/SP4, Windows XP/SP1, and Windows XP/SP2. |
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What versions of Microsoft Visio are supported?
Visio 2002, Visio 2003 and Visio 2007. See the ProMax release notes for specific information on service packs and hotfix requirements. ProMax is compatible with both Professional and Standard editions of Visio. |
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What versions of Microsoft Excel work with ProMax?
ProMax has been tested with Excel 2000 and later. |
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Does ProMax run using Microsoft Terminal Services?
Yes, ProMax has been tested with Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2003 Server Terminal Services. Using ProMax with Terminal Services requires a network license for ProMax. |
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Will BR&E be issuing a binder or some other printed manual with the program?
At this time the only available help for ProMax is the online help file. We have not determined if printed documentation will be made available in the future. You may copy the ProMax.chm file to systems where ProMax is not installed if you need access to ProMax help. You can also print the entire ProMax help file, or only certain sections of it, as desired. |
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Will TSWEET and PROSIM flowsheets convert into ProMax? Is there an easy way to convert them?
We currently do not anticipate having an automated method to perform this conversion. Please send the files to support@bre.com and we will manually convert them for you. |
Security Device Issues
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How do I find the Security Device number?
The Security Device number is the 4 (or 5 on some NetHASP keys) digit number engraved into the device (NOT the number on the printed label). |
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I’m getting a Security Violation 9 error when switching back and forth between PROSIM/TSWEET and ProMax. What is the problem?
You need to set a TZ environment variable to represent the time zone for your system (e.g., TZ=PST8PDT for Pacific Time) for use with PROSIM/TSWEET. The TZ environment variable should represent the same time zone as the time zone selected in the Windows date and time settings. See the PROSIM/TSWEET documentation for information on values of this environment variable. |
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Why can ProMax not locate my NetHASP key?
You must configure the NetHASP.INI file installed in %ProgramFiles%\Bryan Research & Engineering Inc\ProMax1 to be able to locate the NetHASP License Manager (LM). In general, you should set the value of NH_SERVER_ADDR in the [NH_TCPIP] section to the IP address or DNS name of the LM. A separate NetHASP.INI file must be configured for PROSIM/TSWEET. Unlike PROSIM/TSWEET, ProMax uses Windows sockets to access the LM where PROSIM/TSWEET use NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT). This will provide for much simpler configuration for most scenarios. |
ProMax Configuration and Customization
What are some of the common configuration changes I can make in Options.xml?
- Change the default content and order of stream properties displayed and reported by ProMax.
- Change the default composition bases displayed and reported for a stream by ProMax.
- Change the properties that are displayed in heat exchanger and distillation column internals.
- Change the properties that are displayed in process stream properties tooltips.
- Change the default display and reporting precision.
- Change the default unit set for newly created projects.
- Change the default gauge pressure setting for newly created projects.
- Change the default percent/fraction setting for newly created projects.
- Add user defined unit sets.
- Change the default atmospheric pressure, acceleration of gravity, and reference (e.g., standard) pressure and temperature for newly created projects.
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Where do I find the Options.xml file?
The Options.xml file location is dependent on the installation drive and language of the operating system. You can find the system wide Options.xml file in the application data folder under %AllUsersProfile%. The string %AllUsersProfile% represents a language independent environment variable for the common profile used by all users of a computer. Simply type the string %AllUsersProfile% into the address field of Windows Explorer to change to the proper folder. The Options.xml file is in a hidden folder in the %AllUsersProfile% folder. The name of that folder is also dependent on the language of the operating system. You can determine the name of this folder for your particular system by inspecting the last folder name in the %AppData% environment variable. Within the hidden folder, you will find a Bryan Research & Engineering Inc folder that contains Options.xml. For example, consider the following which is typical of an English language system:
AllUsersProfile=C:\Documents and Settings\All Users
AppData = C:\Documents and Settings\SomeUserName\Application Data
For this system, Options.xml would be located in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bryan Research & Engineering Inc\ProMax1\Data.
When modifying the Options.xml file, you must keep in mind that future releases of the program will supply new versions of Options.xml. Any changes made to Options.xml must be manually incorporated in future files. The ProMax installation program will create a backup of Options.xml to prevent overwriting your modifications. |
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Can I make the Options.xml file user specific?
To provide each user with their own Options.xml, copy the Options.xml from the standard location to %AppData%\Bryan Research & Engineering Inc\ProMax1\Data. Each user can then make their own changes to Options.xml independently of other users on the same system. This is typically useful on shared systems used by more than a single user (e.g., a university environment). |
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Where can I obtain more information on XML file structure?
See http://www.w3c.org/xml for information concerning XML. There are also many books published on XML available at virtually any bookstore containing computer related books. |
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What program do I use to edit Options.xml and other XML files?
Many XML editors are available for use. However, our configurable XML files for ProMax can be edited with Notepad if you do not have another editor. |
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How do I change the default or startup unit set for ProMax?
In Options.xml, change the text of the node //ProMax/UnitSets/Default to the name of the desired unit set. |
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How do I change the units on a particular property in one of the unit sets?
The units for a particular type of unit (e.g., length) are defined in the Options.xml file for each unit set available in ProMax. Simply locate the type of unit that is to be altered in the respective unit set. Change the text content of the XML node to the desired string. Note that unit strings in ProMax are case sensitive. |
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How do I add my own unit set to ProMax?
All unit sets are defined in the Options.xml file. To add a unit set, BR&E recommends that you copy and paste an entire existing unit set that is closest to the desired units. Change the name of the unit set to a name that does not conflict with an existing unit set and change the unit strings in the elements of the unit set to the desired values. You can make the new unit set the default by changing the text of the node //ProMax/UnitSets/Default to the name of the new set. |
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How do I configure ProMax to use A4 size paper?
In Options.xml, change the //ProMax/ReportOptions/Paper node text from “A” (letter) to “A4” (without quotes). You also will likely want to change the default Visio template from a letter size based template to an A4 size based template. This is accomplished by changing the //ProMax/ProjectTemplate node text to Project-A4.vst. |
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Can I change the content or order of the default set of properties that are displayed or reported with a stream?
Yes, these values are changed through Options.xml in the //ProMax/DisplayOptions/PStream/Properties and //ProMax/ReportOptions/PStream/Properties nodes, respectively. Simply order these items or add additional content as desired. Changes made in the Options.xml file affect newly created projects and projects that have not been customized for a specific property set. |
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Can I change the content or order of the process stream properties tooltip?
Change the entries in the //ProMax/DisplayOptions/Tooltips of Options.xml to the desired content. |
Common Error Conditions and Messages
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What causes error 80040154, “Class Not Registered”?
If this error occurs during startup, the likely reason is Microsoft Visio is not installed on the system or the system does not meet minimum version requirements for Visio. ProMax supports Visio 2002/2003. See the ProMax release notes for further information and requirements concerning service packs and hotfixes. Ensure that Visio will run without error outside of ProMax before attempting to start ProMax.
If this error occurs during execution of a ProMax solver or specifier, is is likely that your computer is missing the Microsoft Windows script control or other scripting components. Normally, these components are bundled with the operating system for Windows 2000 and Windows XP. However, some software will remove these components when the software is removed from the computer. For these systems the scripting control will require manual reinstallation.
Please contact BR&E if you need assistance with this error. |
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I receive error number 8009000f “Object already exists” during creation of a new project or loading an existing project.
Delete the folder %AppData%\Microsoft\Crypto and its contents from the system using the affected user account. The operating system will regenerate the folder as needed. |
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What causes “The specified module cannot be found” or “The specified procedure cannot be found” error messages?
In general, this problem indicates missing, misconfigured, or outdated Windows components on the computer, or a computer that does not meet the minimum software requirements. BR&E has fully tested its installation distribution on various platform combinations to ensure that we deliver the proper components required by ProMax. Unless an error was indicated during installation of ProMax, this problem is likely due to external problems, not with ProMax itself. ProMax requires many operating system components and features to properly execute. The absence or failure of any one of these components may cause this problem. |
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On Windows 2000, when I run ProMax logged on as a user other than administrator user, I receive error number 80004005, “Unrecognized database format ‘…\ProMax.mdb’.”
This is a Microsoft issue that requires the Microsoft hotfix KB835732.
To resolve the problem, log on as Administrator, and repair the ProMax installation from the Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs.
To install the Microsoft hotfix, run Windows Update from the Start menu or download the hotfix from http://download.microsoft.com. The minimum requirement to run ProMax on Windows 2000 is Service Pack 3 and the KB835732 hotfix. However, installing recommended critical updates can help keep your computer up-to-date and secure. |
User Interface Issues and Questions
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How do I reset my ProMax menus and toolbars and other settings to their original condition?
To restore the menus and toolbars to their original status, delete the files %AppData%\Bryan Research & Engineering Inc\ProMax1\Data\LCID\*.vsu from your system. The value LCID represents the locale identifier for your language and location. A value of 1033 signifies U.S. English. ProMax will reconstruct these files as needed. |
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I’ve accidentally closed one or more of my Visio stencils. How do I get the stencils back?
Using the Stencils (Visio 2002) or Shapes (Visio 2003) menu item located in the File menu, browse to the install location of the stencils (%ProgramFiles%\Bryan Research & Engineering Inc\ProMax\Templates) and add all *.vss files as stencils. |
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Can some blocks have multiple connections on one point? Which ones?
Separators, mixers and distillation columns will allow multiple inlet streams to be attached to an inlet connection point. |
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Sometimes the block names are on top of the streams such that the block name can be read, and sometimes the stream “strikes through” the block name. What causes this?
Depending on the routing of a stream connected to a block, the location of the stream text or name can be obscured. You can easily move the location of a stream name by selecting the yellow diamond with the cursor and dragging the text to a new position. Obviously if you move the label, you must assume the responsibility for repositioning it in a location that is proper in the context of the drawing. For more complicated drawings, it may be advantageous to reduce the point size of the text associated with a block or stream to provide more room for drawing entities. Alternatively, you can right click on the block and use the “Shape->Bring to front” menu item to have a block name superimposed over a stream. |
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The InstallShield® Update Service box pops up every time I start ProMax displaying the same message. Is there a way to prevent this?
Once a particular message has been viewed in the Update Service, you can use the Update Manager to hide the message. Hiding a particular message does not prevent future messages concerning updates and other information from being displayed. The Update Manager is located in the Start menu with the ProMax items. To hide the message, start the Update Manager and press the “Check for Updates” button. Using the dialog, select the message you wish to hide and press the “Hide” button. You can use the Update Manager to unhide messages at a future time. |
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My “What’s this” help text in tooltips is being truncated. What is causing this?
Please ensure your operating system is current with regard to hotfixes and service packs from Microsoft. This issue has been fixed by Microsoft. |
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Can I import/export data from Excel into/from the program for calculation into a flowsheet?
To import or export data to and from Excel, you must first create an OLE embedded Excel Workbook within ProMax using the “Add Excel Workbook” in the ProMax menu. This Workbook is then saved within the structure of the ProMax pmx project file along with the remaining project data. Once this Workbook is added, you export or import data as follows:
- Select the data cell that you wish to export or import.
- Next, right click the cell and select the first item from the context menu that appears. The Excel Export/Import Utility box will open. This box will float over both ProMax and Excel. (This right clicking also allows access to dialogs that remove Import/Export links.)
- Next, select the Excel cell(s) where you wish to place the data link.
- Last, explicitly confirm the desired type of import or export and close the utility.
Most single value items can be either exported or imported depending on their context within a project. At this time, composition data from a stream can only be exported to Excel. Be sure to select enough Excel cells to capture all exported data, or truncation of latter data will occur.
Use the ProMax Solver under the Excel Tools menu to design and converge flowsheet data. Beware that the Excel Solver (ALT+T+V) is not linked to ProMax and will not cause the ProMax Engine to resolve the flowsheet. |
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Can I add properties from an Analysis object to a Property Table or Callout?
This is not available at this time. However, by contacting BR&E support, we can provide you some VBA code to insert in the ProMax project to accomplish this task through an equivalent approach. |
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Can I copy streams and/or flowsheets with their information to another stream or flowsheet?
Yes, even though the support is somewhat limited in the 1.0 version of ProMax. In general, specifications are not retained during the copy/paste operation. You can quickly copy the specifications of a stream from one stream to another using the Windows clipboard copy/paste keystroke operation through the stream dialogs. |
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How do I create my own process shapes?
You may create your own process shapes for all operations except multi-sided HEX units and distillation columns. This is an advanced capability that will require some knowledge of Visio to accomplish. The basic approach is to copy a current BR&E shape for the type of operation you wish to represent into a separate stencil of your own and then modify the geometric definition of the shape using the Visio ShapeSheet. BR&E can assist you with this if needed. If you have a particular shape that you would like to see in ProMax, please forward this information to BR&E for possible inclusion in a future release. |
General Simulation Questions
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How do I prevent hydrate and freeze-out checks in simulations where they are likely not to occur (e.g., amine systems)?
You can disable the simple hydrate and other freeze type checks from occurring within the streams and blocks of all flowsheets associated with an environment by unchecking the “Check Freeze Out” button on the Options page of the environment dialog. You may also adjust how close to freeze conditions you actually must be before a warning is issued by changing the temperature delta value. Disabling this check does not affect freeze out calculations in Analysis objects. |
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What is the propagation terminal? When would one use a propagation terminal?
The Propagation Terminal is used in a closed loop situation where no material is entering or exiting the system (e.g., refrigeration loop). It is used to prevent specified properties from propagating both forward and reverse in the closed loop. |
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How do I obtain a desired UA or Approach Temperature in a heat exchanger?
See ProMax Help and the examples supplied with ProMax in the Calculators folder. Examples of these issues and other solver applications are presented there. |
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Why are Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) values somewhat different from those in PROSIM for the same composition?
ProMax more rigorously handles the presence of the air in the testing than was done in PROSIM. In most cases, the results are within the error of the program. |
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Where do I set a fixed or constant circulation rate in a recycle loop (e.g., in an amine unit or glycol dehydration unit)?
While there are many valid locations for this specification to be made, the most common location is usually in the outlet of the Make-Up/Blow-Down operation. For typical amine or glycol dehydration units, it is also legal to specify the circulation rate in any lean stream between the regenerator reboiler and the absorber. |
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Can a battery of scenarios or parametric study be run, in some automated way, on a given ProMax project?
Most ProMax functionality can be automated via VBA. A VBA utility is currently available that can be imported into ProMax running in Visio. VBA can be accessed via the Tools/Macros menu of Visio or Alt+F11. For further information about this utility, contact your BR&E representative. |
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How do I run ProMax from Excel?
ProMax can run as an in-process OLE automation server within any OLE automation client. A common use is to run ProMax within Excel to perform utility functions such as property calculation and flash calculation. At this time, the automation interfaces are undocumented. However, with some assistance from BR&E and the VBA object browser, an experienced VBA programmer can likely accomplish some fundamental tasks. Please contact BR&E for assistance with a particular project. |
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Can ProMax model a mole sieve?
The Divider block can be used to split specified amounts of a component or a number of components from the main process stream to simulate the function of a mole sieve. The Divider requires an energy stream and specification of temperature and pressure in each of the outlet streams. |
Dehydration Specific Questions
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Which property package should I use for glycol dehydration applications?
For glycol dehydration, you may use either the Peng-Robinson or SRK property package. ProMax contains the modeling technology to accurately predict dehydration and hydrocarbon solubility (including BTEX) in these systems using either package. This technology is inherited from PROSIM, which has a long published and proven history for accurately modeling these systems. If high amounts of CO2 or H2S are present, you may obtain slightly better solubility predictions if the Peng-Robinson Polar or SRK Polar packages are used. In most cases, using the polar versions of the package will provide identical results but will take longer to execute. |
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Which property package should I use for aqueous methanol applications?
When methanol is present in an aqueous system, you must use either the Peng-Robinson Polar or SRK Polar package. The standard Peng-Robinson and SRK packages will not accurately predict the VLE, VLLE, or hydrate suppression for these systems. ProMax includes improvements over PROSIM in modeling these systems, especially when high methanol to water molar ratios exist. |
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Do I need to set the weight percent glycol in the Make-Up/Blow-Down operation as in the amine unit simulation?
No, the glycol composition is determined by the regenerator performance. In an amine system, the ratio of amine to water is to be held constant resulting in different make-up rates for amine and water. The fact that two separate make-up flows are present in the amine system requires the additional specification to satisfy the extra degree of freedom. However, the make-up composition of glycol and amine must be specified either in the make-up stream or in the Make-Up/Blow-Down block “Makeup Bulk Composition” column. (A typical make-up composition for TEG is 99.9 wt % TEG and 0.1 wt % water). See ProMax help for details on specifying the Make-Up/Blow-Down. |
Acid Gas Treating (Amine) Specific Questions
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Which property package should I use for amine unit simulations?
To obtain accurate results for any amine application, the Property Package must be set to one of the electrolytic models. Electrolytic ELR may be used for most applications. Either SRK or PR may be used for the vapor phase. Electrolytic Kent-Eisenberg calculates more quickly than the other models, but should be used for preliminary results only. |
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Which property package should I use for sour water stripping applications?
To obtain accurate results for sour water stripping applications, the Property Package must be set to one of the electrolytic models: Electrolytic ELR, Electrolytic Kent-Eisenberg, or Electrolytic NRTL. |
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How do I model a liquid-liquid amine treater?
Set the absorber Flash Type to LLE and leave the Column Type parameter set to Equilibrium (TSWEET Kinetics does not apply to liquid treating). |
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How do I specify the weight percent amine in my amine unit simulation?
In an amine unit simulation, you must set the weight percent amine in the Make-Up/Blow-Down block dialog Process Data tab. The amine concentration is specified in the Target Outlet Composition column. Water is specified as 100% in the Makeup Bulk Composition column. Other components such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide should NOT be entered in this table. See ProMax help for further information on the Make-Up/Blow-Down block specifications. |
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I want to specify rich loading in my amine absorber. How can I make this specification?
Rich loading cannot be specified directly as in TSWEET. Rich loading may be achieved using a Simple Solver to manipulate a parameter such as lean amine circulation rate to achieve the desired rich loading. See ProMax Help and ProMax Examples for further information on using a Simple Solver to achieve a certain rich amine loading. |
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How do I specify the stripper reboiler steam rate?
A separate exchanger representing the steam condensation side must be set up and linked to the reboiler using an energy stream. Then the steam rate may be set directly or a Specifier may be used to achieve a desired lb steam per gallon amine circulation specification. See ProMax Help and Examples for further information. |
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Can I easily determine the Lean and/or Rich Amine Loading?
Yes, you can use an Amine Analysis in any aqueous liquid stream to determine the CO2 and H2S loading in gr/gal, scf/gal, and mol/mol. The Amine Analysis also calculates the Total Acid Gas Loading in mol/mol, the pH, and the Molarity. |
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Does ProMax report the pH of a stream?
Yes, either in the Amine Analysis (process stream Analysis tab), or in the stream Full Species Information. The Full Species Information is accessed by clicking the “Ionic Info…” button at bottom left of the stream Composition tab. The pH property is reported as p[H+]. |
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Can ProMax predict the effects of acid addition on stripper performance?
Yes, the effects of adding acid to the amine solution to protonate the amine can be simulated. Although any of a number of acids (e.g. phosphoric, hydrochloric, acetic, sulfuric) may be used to protonate the amine and enhance stripping, phosphoric acid (H3PO4) is recommended in the ProMax simulation because equilibrium and plant data are available to verify results |
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Is it possible to model a stripper with a reclaimer?
To model an amine reclaimer, a portion of the lean amine from the reboiler is split off, heated to simulate the reclaimer, and a Divider is used to split off a specified amount of amine equivalent to the amount of degraded amine. The amount of degradation cannot be predicted by ProMax, but the reclaimer model can be used to determine the reclaimer duty and amount of required amine make-up. See the Simple DGA Sweetening Unit for an example utilizing a reclaimer on the stripper. |
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How can I model a single stage contactor for liquid-liquid treating (or simulate a static mixer) since the distillation column has a minimum of 2 stages?
There are two ways to model a single stage contactor: 1) three phase Separator, or 2) two ideal stage Column with the efficiency set to 0.01% for all components on one of the stages. The Column approach must be used if you want to model a single stage contactor with less than 100% efficiency. |
Heat Exchanger Rating Questions
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How do I access Exchanger Rating?
In the exchanger block dialog Process Data tab, click the Enable checkbox near the bottom. This will allow you to access to the Rating tab. |
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Why can I not rate my air cooled (fin fan) heat exchanger in ProMax?
To rate an air cooled heat exchanger in ProMax, you must connect the heat exchanger to another heat exchanger side that contains air as the process fluid. (Single-sided exchangers cannot be rated in ProMax.) Usually the inlet and outlet temperatures are specified for this air side and ProMax computes the flow rate from the required duty. If nitrogen and oxygen are not present in the environment for the flowsheet, you may wish to add another flowsheet that contains nitrogen and oxygen and connect a heat exchanger in this flowsheet to the air cooler through a cross flowsheet connector. |
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I am rating an exchanger, but the fluids are reversed on my specification sheet. Why?
Within the heat Exchanger Rating information, very top line under the “Tubes” item asks for the Service, and the options are Supply and Demand. If the Hot fluid is flowing through the tube side, select Supply. If the Cold fluid is going through the tubes, select Demand. This selection follows the Second law of Thermodynamics, that heat always flows from a higher temperature level to a lower temperature level.
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Separator Sizing Questions
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How do I access Separator Sizing?
In the Separator block dialog Process Data tab, click the checkbox next to “Include Separator Sizing”. This will allow access to the Sizing tab. (If the “Include Separator Sizing” parameter is not visible, scroll down to the end of the Process Data parameters.) |
Reporting Questions
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How do I get my report to work properly with Word and Excel 2000 or earlier versions?
Word 2000 does not support compression used by default for the process flow diagram creation. To disable the compression, change the Compressed attribute in Options.xml of the //ProMax/ReportOptions/Layout/FlowsheetDrawing node for each type of paper you utilize to “false” (without quotes). |
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Why does my RTF output not work in WordPerfect or other RTF compatible programs?
ProMax requires version 1.7 of RTF. Most of these packages are only compatible with earlier versions of RTF. Microsoft provides a Word Viewer program that is freely available from the Internet if you do not have Microsoft Word. |
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I sent my RTF or Excel report to someone that does not have ProMax and the Report Navigator does not appear. Why?
The Report Navigator is software that is part of the ProMax package and is only available on systems that have a legal copy of ProMax installed. Installation and use of ProMax is governed by your license agreement. |
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