Common Error Conditions and Messages

1. What should I do if I receive the error “Compile error in hidden module: CB_ExcelHelper” when opening ProMax 4.0 or ProMax 5.0?

This error is caused by previous versions of Office leaving behind entries in the Windows registry. Specifically, those entries are in:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\TypeLib\{00020802-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}

And

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\TypeLib\{00020813-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}

And

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\TypeLib\{2DF8D04C-5BFA-101B-BDE5-00AA0044DE52}

Users may experience problems with adding embedded Excel workbooks, using the Scenario Tool, and using Property Stencils. Please contact BR&E or your IT department for assistance in removing the old entries from the registry.

If the error message states “Compile error in hidden module” but refers to something besides CB_ExcelHelper, the most likely cause is incompatible versions of Visio and Office. See FAQ #22 for Office/Visio compatibility information.

2. What causes an error message stating that Visio is not installed or improperly installed?

Check that Visio will run independently of ProMax, and that the Visio license is valid. If not, please correct this issue first.

If you are installing the 64-bit version of ProMax, please verify that Office and Visio are installed as 64-bit programs on the system. Likewise, if you are installing the 32-bit version of ProMax, please verify that Office and Visio are installed as 32-bit programs.

If the above issues do not apply, there may be a compatibility issue between Microsoft Office and Visio. More information may be found in our FAQ regarding System Requirements and Compatibility. In particular, if the version of Visio is different than the version of Office, the installation order may have been incorrect. It is necessary to follow Microsoft's specified installation order, meaning that earlier-year products must be installed before the later-year products. Please see Microsoft's Support site http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2784668 for more information. Install dates can be found from Control Panel | Program and Features. An incorrect installation order can only be resolved by uninstalling the offending programs and reinstalling them in the correct order. We recommend using a consistent version of Visio and Office.

Additionally, please confirm the following type library entry has valid information in the Windows registry

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\TypeLib\{00021A98-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}

3. Why does the ProMax "splash screen" appear, but fail to continue to open the program?

This behavior typically appears after Visio or ProMax crashed unexpectedly on the system previously. To open ProMax:

  1. Close all ProMax and Visio instances that are currently running.
  2. Open the Task Manager either by right-clicking on the toolbar and selecting Start Task Manager, or by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del and selecting Start Task Manager.
  3. Select the Processes tab within the Task Manager, and have Windows End Process for any ProMax.exe or Visio.exe tasks that appear.
  4. Open Visio (not ProMax), and Select the File menu
  5. Select Options and then Add-Ins from the dialog that opens.
  6. At the bottom of the screen, change the Manage option from COM Add-ins to Disabled Items and select Go.
  7. If ProMax Toolbar is listed, select it and press Enable.
  8. Close Visio and try ProMax again.

This problem can also be caused by various Antivirus programs (e.g. McAfee HIPS, McAfee Endpoint Security, etc.). Contact BR&E Support if the above does not solve the problem.

4. How can I check that I have the most up-to-date version of ProMax?

ProMax installs the BR&E Notification Manager program by default onto your system and will alert you to any program updates. To see if there are any updates currently available for your system, from your Start Menu | All Program Files | Bryan Research & Engineering | ProMax folder, select the Notification Manager. If it is not found here and using ProMax 5.0, browse to your

C:\Program Files (x86)\Bryan Research & Engineering LLC\ProMax5\

folder for x86. For x64, browse to

C:\Program Files\Bryan Research & Engineering LLC\ProMax5\.

Once at the correct location, look for the NotificationManager.exe file.
If you have ProMax 4.0 installed, look in

C:\Program Files (x86)\Bryan Research & Engineering Inc\ProMax4\

or

C:\Program Files\Bryan Research & Engineering Inc\ProMax4\

respectively. When you run this executable, previous messages may have been dismissed or postponed; select the Reset Dismissed or Reset Postponed options to see if any notifications are available.

5. I received an e-mail that I should update the ProMax security device key. What should I do? I recently installed ProMax.

Note: The following applies to ProMax 5.0.

The generic e-mail message occurs if a new feature is added to ProMax. Essentially, if using the new feature(s), then it will be necessary to follow the key renewal process discussed in the message.

If using the network license option:

  • Ensure the Run Time Environment (RTE) is version 7.90
    • The 7.90 tools may be obtained from here
    • Update the key to add the missing feature. See FAQ #13 below for the details.

If using ProMax 4.0, it ignores 5.0 features.

6. I received an error that the file cannot be read by the current version when opening a ProMax file. What should I do?

This error usually occurs when attempting to open a ProMax 5.0 file using ProMax 4.0. Files created or modified and saved in 5.0 cannot be opened in 4.0. If you need help upgrading to 5.0, please contact BR&E Technical Support.

7. I received an error message stating, "A license for the requested feature is not available (42). Contact BR&E for assistance." What do I do?

While this is primarily with ProMax 5.0, it can occur in ProMax 4.0 as well. The error 42 indicates that the runtime environment on the license manager server is out of date. Version 7.90 is required for ProMax 5.0.

Note: The Security Key Tools Download, containing the version 7.90 license manager runtime environment, may be downloaded from here.
As of 2/19/2019 the version is 7.90. ProMax 5.0 requires this version.

Please contact BR&E Technical Support if you need assistance with this error.

SQL Server Installation Issues and Errors (SQL Server Express Full)

In ProMax 5.0, and when using the default SQL Server Express LocalDB, the below items are not likely.
Note that antivirus programs can cause these issues in either ProMax 4.0 or 5.0 however.

8. How do I fix the error “SQL Network Interfaces: Error Locating Server/Instance Specified [xFFFFFFFF] or “Could not open a connection to SQL Server”?

The problem is often due to either a timeout that occurs between ProMax and its internal database, or the database service not starting successfully. Windows updates might also stop the service. To remedy this problem, first restart your computer and try ProMax again. If the problem persists, try these steps:

  1. Open the Start menu or press the Windows key and type “services.msc”, right-click on the program and select Run as administrator. If this is not an option, you may attempt the process as a non-administrator, but you may lack permissions to start the service.
  2. In the window that opens, find SQL Server (BRYANRES) in the list.
  3. If the service is not “started”, right-click on SQL Server (BRYANRES) and select “Start”. Try ProMax again.

If this is a recurring problem, set the startup property to Automatic (Delayed Start).

If the problem continues after the delayed start property modification, you can change the Recovery settings. In the Services, right-click SQL Server (BRYANRES) and click Properties in the pop-up menu. In the Properties dialog, click the Recovery; tab and for the First failure: choose Restart the Service. You can select this same setting for the Second and Subsequent failures as well.

9. I want to install and use SQL Server Express Full for ProMax and other databases. How do I prepare the computer system to use additional SQL Server Express Full databases and installing ProMax?

SQL Server Express Full must be installed separately from ProMax 5.0, prior to installing ProMax 5.0. The default authentication mode for ProMax 5.0 is Windows authentication.

SQL Server Express Installation

To install SQL Server Express Full, obtain the install package from the Microsoft® download site, http://download.microsoft.com. ProMax 5.0 is compatible with SQL Server Express 2012 through 2017. If downloading from Microsoft, you should get the latest service pack release of the software. ProMax 5.0 allows 32-bit SQL with 64-bit ProMax or 64-bit SQL with 32-bit ProMax. Keep in mind that SQL Server Express 2016 and later is only available for the x64 operating system.

To install SQL Server Express 2012 Full (SP4 recommended), use the following command line (SQL Server Express 2012 Full is only compatible with ProMax 4.0.18317.0 and later):
SQLEXPR_x86_ENU.exe /QS /HIDECONSOLE /UPDATEENABLED=FALSE /SkipRules=RebootRequiredCheck
/ACTION=Install /IACCEPTSQLSERVERLICENSETERMS=1 /FEATURES=SQLEngine,Conn /INSTANCENAME=BRYANRES
/ENABLERANU=0

To install SQL Server Express 2014/2016/2017 Full, use the following command line (Note that the SQLEXPR_x86_ENU.exe has been replaced by SETUP.exe since extraction is performed separately from installation):
SETUP.exe /QS /HIDECONSOLE /UPDATEENABLED=FALSE /SkipRules=RebootRequiredCheck /ACTION=Install
/IACCEPTSQLSERVERLICENSETERMS=1 /FEATURES=SQLEngine,Conn /INSTANCENAME=BRYANRES /ENABLERANU=0

In the above commands, you should select the language of SQL Server Express that is appropriate for your locale based on recommendations by Microsoft®. In the above examples, ENU stands for English.

The SQL Server Express Full instance can be installed using the GUI rather than the command line if desired. The GUI is invoked by simply double clicking the installation package in Windows Explorer. However, if the GUI is selected, you must be certain that the options selected in the installation process match those specified in the command lines above. For further assistance on SQL Server Express Full installation, please contact BR&E Technical Support.

ProMax Installation

Once SQL Server Express Full is installed, ProMax must be installed. SQL Server Express Full can be configured to use either SQL authentication or Windows authentication. The default authentication method in ProMax 5.0 is Windows authentication. Thus the /SECURITYMODE=SQL and /SAPWD=BryanRes1 switches are not in the above commands. If you do not first install SQL Server Express Full with one of the above methods, the ProMax installation will fail, after configuring the customized settings for SQL Server Express Full in the ProMax installer.

If all prerequisite software has been installed, you can install ProMax directly from the Windows Installer database (msi). To install from the MSI file, use the following command:
msiexec /i d:\ProMax.msi
The above command assumes the ProMax database file is on drive D:.

Other more complicated installation scenarios are possible depending on your requirement and environment. If the installation package is installed through Active Directory Group Policy Objects (GPO) or some other similar technique, a Windows Installer transform may need to be created to set this property. Please contact our support group if you need assistance in these environments.

10. How do I fix the error "...The FILESIZE property is incorrect."?

First, try rebooting the system, even if you have just rebooted (e.g. common Windows Updates can cause a need for a second reboot).

If you have ProMax 4.0, please uninstall ProMax and the BRYANRES SQL Server Express Instance. Reboot, and reinstall ProMax.

Security Device Issues

11. How do I activate or update my HASP key?

By default, ProMax installs the BR&E Licensing Wizard program used to activate and update your security device. This program is available from your Start Menu | All Program Files | Bryan Research & Engineering | ProMax folder. If it is not found here, browse to your

C:\Program Files (x86)\Bryan Research & Engineering LLC\ProMax5\

folder, and look for the LicensingWizard.exe file. If the x64 ProMax is installed, browse to your

C:\Program Files\Bryan Research & Engineering LLC\ProMax5\folder.

In addition, the most recent version of the Licensing Wizard and other Security Key Tools may be downloaded from here. (Be sure to copy the contents of the zip file into a temp or other folder on the computer. The Licensing Wizard will not be able to find its configuration file if it is still inside the zip file).

If this is an initial activation of a newly acquired security device, follow the instructions from the first option Perform initial activation of a Sentinel key.

If this is an update you have been instructed to perform on your security device, follow the instructions from the second option Apply an update or cancellation to a Sentinel Key.

12. How do I find the security device number?

If you have a software key (e.g. network key) or need the internal ID of a hardware key, you can open a web browser and go to http://localhost:1947/ (Admin Control Center). Click the Sentinel Keys under Options on the left and find Vendor 41301. This table lists the internal Key ID for a local hardware or software key, or the internal Key ID for a network key located on a remote server. The Key ID contents is preferred by BR&E Technical Support, regardless of using a hardware or software key. However, the hardware device's 4 or 5 digit number, engraved in the side of the plastic, can be also be given to BR&E support staff.

Note that the 4 or 5 digit number engraved in the hardware key plastic does not appear in the Admin Control Center | Sentinel Keys | Options table.

Our support staff can assist you if you have any questions or concerns.

13. How do I solve the “Sentinel key error 382/1/31” and “A license for the requested feature is not available (31)” errors?

The error indicates that the security device has not been activated or the program is unable to find the USB dongle (HASP) device.

If you have not activated the security device, please follow the instructions found inFAQ #11. If you have already activated the security device, see the following steps to have it recognized on your system.

For a Local PC Security Device:

  1. Verify that the key is firmly connected into a USB port, and that the light on the device is glowing.

    Note: If it was attached during the installation process of ProMax, please remove the device and insert it in a different USB port. The computer should then indicate that new hardware has been found and that it is loading the required device drivers. Once the computer states that the hardware is available for use, you should be able to use ProMax.

  2. Verify that the Sentinel device driver is installed on your computer. The simple way to check is to navigate to http://localhost:1947 on your computer. If you can successfully open the web-based application called the Sentinel Admin Control Center, then the driver is installed.

    If the device driver is NOT installed, then you can find this on the ProMax DVD by following the path: Sentinel Key | Driver | GUI. The file is titled HASPUserSetup.exe. Install this file on your computer.

    Note: this file may be downloaded from here; Within the zip, it is located inside the GUI RTE folder.
    As of 2/19/2019 the version is 7.90. ProMax 5.0 requires this version.

For a Network Security Device:

If using a network device the DNS name or IP address of the license server must be obtained from the IT department, then follow these steps:
Client-side (the computer that runs ProMax):
  1. Verify that the Sentinel device driver is installed on your computer. The simple way to check is to navigate to http://localhost:1947 on your computer. If you can successfully open the web-based application called the Sentinel Admin Control Center, then the driver is installed.

    If the device driver is NOT installed, then you can find this on the ProMax DVD by following the path: Sentinel Key | Driver | GUI. The file is titled HASPUserSetup.exe. Install this file on the computer.

    Note: this file may be downloaded fromhere; Within the zip, it is located inside the GUI RTE folder.
    As of 2/19/2019 the version is 7.90. ProMax 5.0 requires this version.

  2. After the driver is installed most computers require some configuration to point your computer to the location of the server. Verify that this configuration has been completed.
    1. To access the configuration section, open your web browser and navigate to the location http://localhost:1947.
    2. Click Configuration under Administrative Options followed by the Access to Remote License Managers tab. On that page, use the Specify Search Parameters to enter either the IP address or the hostname of the system with the network key.
    3. Occasionally selecting Aggressive Search is necessary to successfully find the network key.
    4. If the network key is accessible via broadcast (as determined/set by your IT department), the above steps may not be required.
    5. Multiple locations may be specified by placing entries on separate lines. This will be required if separate systems are used to host HASP protected applications from different vendors. Separate host systems are not required with different applications as any number of keys can be attached to a single host.
    6. By default, only local administration of the Sentinel Runtime Environment is permitted. This can be changed on the Basic Settings tab. For more information concerning the Sentinel Admin Control Center, select the help links on the appropriate page.
Server-side (typically performed by an IT department):
  1. The server used may be any system in your network with a static IP address or hostname resolvable by DNS that is accessible by the workstations that will run ProMax.

  2. The Sentinel LDK Runtime Environment must be installed. The simple way to check whether this is already installed is to navigate to http://localhost:1947 on the server. If the web-based application called the Sentinel Admin Control Center can be opened, then the driver is installed.

    If the device driver is not installed, it can be found on the ProMax DVD by following the path: Sentinel Key | Driver.

    The GUI folder may be selected for a hardware key installation; the file is titled HASPUserSetup.exe. Install this file on your computer.

    Note: this file may be downloaded from here; Within the zip, it is located inside the GUI RTE folder.
    As of 2/19/2019 the version is 7.90. ProMax 5.0 requires this version.

    The CmdLine folder must be selected for an installation where a software key will be used, and may also be used for a hardware key. The command line bre.haspdinst.exe option will install the LDK run-time and a vendor token that will allow application of software keys from network license servers where ProMax is not installed. The haspdinst.exe option will install only the LDK run-time and may be used for a hardware key installation, but not a software key environment.

    Note: this file may be downloaded from here; Within the zip, it is located inside the CmdLine RTE folder.
    As of 2/19/2019 the version is 7.90. ProMax 5.0 requires this version.

    In addition, the most recent version of the bre.haspdinst.exe and other Security Key Tools may be downloaded from here
    (Be sure to copy the contents of the zip file into a temp or other folder on the computer as the Licensing Wizard will not be able to find its configuration file if it is still in the zip file).

  3. Verify that the NetHASP dongle is securely seated in a USB port on the server and the light is on.

    Note: If it was inserted while you were installing, please remove it and place it in a different USB port. The computer should signal that it has found new hardware and is configuring to use it. Once the light on the key is back on, it should be available for use again.

14. How do I solve Sentinel Key Error 382/1/33?

The Sentinel LDK License Manager service is not running on the computer and needs to be started.

Open the Windows Services Management Console. In Windows 7, select the Start button, then in the “Search files and folders” box type services.msc; in Windows 10, type services.msc in the Search box next to the Start menu. Find Services.msc from the list, right mouse button click, and select Run as administrator.

Look for the Sentinel LDK License Manager and check its status. If it is not started, right-click and select start. If it is started, right-click and select restart.

If it gives an error or will not start, confirm whether the KService is present. If so, it is known to use the same port as the Sentinel LDK. Consequently, set the KService to Automatic (Delayed Start), then reboot the system. Once the desktop is up, both the Sentinel LDK and KService should be running. The Sentinel LDK will be on port 1947, whereas the KService will be on a different port number.

If the KService is not present and the Sentinel LDK will not start after a system reboot, the Windows firewall and/or antivirus software could be blocking Port 1947. The 1947 port should be excluded from any firewall blocking for both TCP and UDP access. After opening the port the system should be rebooted.

15. How do I solve “Sentinel Key Error 382/1/41” and “A license for the requested feature is not available (41)” errors?

This error means that the ProMax license needs to be updated. Please follow the instructions given inFAQ #11 above: How do I activate or update my HASP key?

Licensing Wizard Issues

16. I don't see the Licensing Wizard in my ProMax folder from the Start menu; where can I find it?

In several scenarios the Licensing Wizard will need to be added to the computer separately from the ProMax installation. This may be accomplished by the following steps:

  1. Open the Programs and Features list. This can typically be found from the Start Menu | Control Panel.
  2. Find BR&E ProMax from the list.
  3. Select Change.
  4. From the BR&E Installation screen that appears, select Next, followed by Modify on the next screen.
  5. Scroll down in the list of options and find BR&E Licensing Wizard from the list. Click on the icon next to it, and change it to This feature will be installed on local hard drive.
  6. Select Next and finish the installation. The Licensing Wizard should now be available to use on the computer.

In addition, the most recent version of the Licensing Wizard and other Security Key Tools may be downloaded from here

(Be sure to copy the contents of the zip file into a temp or other folder on the computer as the Licensing Wizard will not be able to find its configuration file if it is still in the zip file).

17. I receive a "The remote server returned an unexpected response: (407) Proxy Authentication Required." error after pressing the "Submit Activation Data" button in the Licensing Wizard. How can I fix this?

This error appears to be related to internet proxy configurations interfering with communication with our server. The best solution is to have you or your IT staff add a rule to your corporate firewall and proxy server to place https://secure.bre.com to your white list. You should then attempt to browse in Internet Explorer to the same site https://secure.bre.com. Once verifying that you can access the site, please try the Licensing Wizard again.
(Note: you do not need to perform any steps on the secure website you just accessed).

A work-around to this issue is to have you or your IT staff activate the key on a system that is not in your network and has standard internet access without a proxy server. This may be done directly from the DVD using the Licensing Wizard found in the Sentinel Key folder. If for some reason the computer used to activate the key does not have the Microsoft® .Net Framework Client Profile or the Microsoft VC++ redistributables on the system, an error might appear when attempting to launch the wizard. The .Net Framework is probably installed as it is part of the Microsoft update process. The VC++ redistributables are on the DVD in the Sentinel Key | Licensing Wizard folder. In addition, the most recent version of the Licensing Wizard and other Security Key Tools may be downloaded from here

(Be sure to copy the contents of the zip file into a temp or other folder on the computer as the Licensing Wizard will not be able to find its configuration file if it is still in the zip file).

If necessary, contact BR&E Technical Support to manually activate or update your key.

18. I receive a "The remote server returned an unexpected response: (417) Expectation failed." error after pressing the Submit Activation Data" button in the Licensing Wizard. How can I fix this?

Use the most recent version of the Licensing Wizard which may be downloaded from here

(Be sure to copy the contents of the zip file into a temp or other folder on the computer as the Licensing Wizard will not be able to find its configuration file if it is still in the zip file).

If necessary, contact BR&E Technical Support to manually activate or update your key.

19. I receive a "The program can't start because mfc100u.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem." error when attempting to start the Licensing Wizard. How can I fix this?

This is most likely caused by missing VC++ redistributables on the system. These files are located on the ProMax DVD in the Sentinel Key | Licensing Wizard folder in a file named vcredist_x86.exe. This is a self-executing file, so that once double-clicked the appropriate installation should begin if the user has appropriate installation privileges.

In addition, the most recent version of this file and other Security Key Tools may be downloaded from may be downloaded from here

(Be sure to copy the contents of the zip file into a temp or other folder on the computer as the Licensing Wizard will not be able to find its configuration file if it is still in the zip file).

If necessary, contact BR&E Support to manually activate or update your key.

20. Does the Licensing Wizard have to be installed on every computer within my company?

In general, no it doesn’t – the Licensing Wizard is not required for using ProMax with the security device. For a hardware security device (the USB device) the Licensing Wizard only needs to be placed on the computer you have selected to activate or update the device. Once the device has been activated, the Licensing Wizard is no longer required unless another update needs to occur. However, for a software key, the Licensing Wizard must be run from the system that will be using ProMax. Additionally, if a computer will be utilizing detachable software licenses from a networked environment, the Licensing Wizard should be available for the license detachment on the client machine.

System Requirements and Compatibility

21. What are the minimum operating system requirements?

ProMax will run on Windows 7 (x86/x64), Windows 8.1 (x86/x64), Windows 10 (x86/x64), Server 2008-R2, Server 2012, Server 2012-R2, Server 2016, and Server 2019.

22. What versions of Microsoft Visio and Office are supported?

ProMax 5.0 and 6.0 are supported on Office and Visio versions 2013 through 2021 and Visio Plan 2 from a Microsoft 365 subscription (Visio Plan 1 is not supported) as its drawing package. Future Office and Visio releases are not compatible with ProMax. Older versions of Visio may still be used with ProMax 4.0. Please refer to Microsoft for further information when mixing different versions of Office and Visio: Supported scenarios for installing different versions of Office, Visio, and Project on the same computer.

23. Can I use Remote Desktop Services to run ProMax?

Yes. Use of ProMax through Remote Desktop Services requires a network license for ProMax.

24. I am using a 32-bit operating system. When I load geographic information system (GIS) data into the GIS Tool™, ProMax runs out of memory. Is there anything I can do to adjust the memory limit?

Yes. Since Windows 7, the BCDEdit.exe command line program is available from Microsoft®. Use that in conjunction with the /set and increaseuserva options as shown below.

BCDEdit /set increaseuserva Megabytes

The acceptable values for Megabytes are between 2048 and 3072 inclusive (e.g. 2 GB and 3 GB). For all details, please review: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/devtest/bcdedit--set.

Note that the correct command has to be typed.
The increaseuserva aspect of /set is the only one to use.
Also keep in mind that all applications will have the memory adjustment, not only ProMax.

ProMax Configuration and Customization

25. What are some of the common configuration changes I can make in Options.xml?

  1. Change the default content and order of stream properties displayed and reported by ProMax.
  2. Change the default composition bases displayed and reported for a stream by ProMax.
  3. Change the properties that are displayed in heat exchanger and distillation column internals.
  4. Change the properties that are displayed in process stream properties tooltips.
  5. Change the default display and reporting precision.
  6. Change the default unit set for newly created projects.
  7. Change the default gauge pressure setting for newly created projects.
  8. Change the default percent/fraction setting for newly created projects.
  9. Add user defined unit sets.
  10. Change the default atmospheric pressure, acceleration of gravity, and reference (e.g., standard) pressure and temperature for newly created projects.

Please see the ProMax Help topics Editing the Options.xml File and Creating a Custom Units Set for further information.

26. 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 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 can be accessed from the Bryan Research & Engineering LLC folder in the %AllUsersProfile% folder. The Bryan Research & Engineering LLC folder contains a ProMax5 or ProMax4 folder which in turn contains a Data folder where the Options.xml file may be found. Consider the following example which is typical of an English language system:

AllUsersProfile=C:\ProgramData

For this system, Options.xml would be located in:

C:\ProgramData\Bryan Research & Engineering LLC\ProMax5\Data

(For ProMax 4.0 the “ProMax5” is replaced with “ProMax4” and “LLC” is replaced with “Inc”)

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.

Please see the ProMax Help topics Editing the Options.xml File and Creating a Custom Units Set for further information.

27. 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.

Please see the ProMax Help topics Editing the Options.xml File and Creating a Custom Units Set for further information.

28. 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.

Please see the ProMax Help topics Editing the Options.xml File and Creating a Custom Units Set for further information.

29. 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.

Please see the ProMax Help topics Editing the Options.xml File and Creating a Custom Units Set for further information.

30. 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.

Please see the ProMax Help topics Editing the Options.xml File and Creating a Custom Units Set for further information.

31. 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.

Please see the ProMax Help topics Editing the Options.xml File and Creating a Custom Units Set for further information.

32. 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. 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.

Please see the ProMax Help topics Editing the Options.xml File and Creating a Custom Units Set for further information.

33. 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.

Please see the ProMax Help topics Editing the Options.xml File and Creating a Custom Units Set for further information.

34. 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.

User Interface Issues and Questions

35. Where can I find the ProMax Scenario Tool® Add-in and User Defined Report Add-in?

Beginning in version ProMax 4.0, the ProMax Scenario Tool® is loaded automatically when using an embedded Excel® workbook within your ProMax project. For external workbooks, this add-in may be found through the Start Menu, in All Programs -> Bryan Research & Engineering Inc -> ProMax -> AddOns -> Excel. The User Defined Report Add-in is found at the same location.

If you prefer to browse through Windows Explorer, the files are located at C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Bryan Research & Engineering LLC\ProMax5\AddOns\Excel. The current versions are named “ProMax Scenario Tool.xlam” and “ProMax User Defined Report.xlam”.

36. 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 file %AppData%\Bryan Research & Engineering LLC\ProMax5\Data\Settings.xml from your system. ProMax will reconstruct this file as needed. Also search for *.vsu files and delete those as well.

37. I’ve accidentally closed one or more of my Visio stencils. How do I get the stencils back?

Under the Shapes Menu heading, select the “More Shapes“ option. The ProMax stencils will appear in the menu to the right. Select the stencils to be added.

38. 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.

39. 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 stream then dragging the yellow square to a new position with the cursor. 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 select the block and click the Bring to Front option on the Visio “Home” ribbon bar to have a block name superimposed over a stream.

40. 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 ribbon bar. 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:

  1. Select the data cell in the ProMax block or stream that you wish to export or import.
  2. Next, right click the cell and select the Export to/Import from Excel… item from the context menu that appears. The Excel Export/Import Utility dialog will open. This dialog window will float over both ProMax and Excel.
    Note: This right clicking also allows access to dialogs that remove Import/Export links.
  3. Next, select the Excel cell(s) where you wish to place the data link.
  4. 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.

41. Can I copy streams and/or flowsheets with their information to another stream or flowsheet?

Current or green streams can be copied and pasted to the same flowsheet with specifications or current information intact. To copy a stream to a different flowsheet, you will have to Copy and Paste the composition and conditions. Simply copying and pasting blocks or a group of blocks from one flowsheet to another in the same or different Projects copies only the blocks and streams without any of the specifications. You may also Export a ProMax Project and then Append that Project to another Project. The Exporting and Appending feature in effect accomplishes the copy and paste with specifications intact. Among other uses, this procedure can be used to create templates of common processes such as dehydration, amine sweetening, refrigeration, etc. for appending to other Projects. See ProMax Help for detailed information on Exporting and Appending ProMax Projects.

42. How do I create my own process shapes?

You may create your own process shapes for all operations except multi-sided exchangers and distillation columns using the Shape Converter in the ProMax Property Stencil. In effect the Shape Converter allows you to convert an ordinary Visio shape into a ProMax block. The new block can be saved for future use. See ProMax Help for further information.

General Simulation Issues

43. 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 clearing the Check Freeze Out checkbox 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.

44. 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 prevents specified properties from propagating both forward and reverse in the closed loop. See the ProMax Help topic “Recycle Block vs. Propagation Terminal” for detailed information.

45. How do I obtain a desired UA or Approach Temperature in a heat exchanger?

For simple cases the UA or Approach Temperature can be specified directly in a cross-exchanger or two single-sided exchangers linked by an Energy Stream. For more complicated configurations with interconnected cross exchangers and recycles, a simple solver can be used to find the value of duty or temperature in a cross exchanger to achieve the desired UA or Approach Temperature. See ProMax Help for detailed examples describing the setup of UA or Approach Temperature solvers.

46. Is the RVP calculated in the ProMax Vapor Pressure Analysis in units of psig or psia?

Often the RVP is reported as psia although the way the test is performed the pressure is actually a gauge pressure. The D 323 – 99a standard says:

Note 1--Because the external atmospheric pressure is counteracted by the atmospheric pressure initially present in the vapor chamber, the Reid vapor pressure is an absolute pressure at 37.8 °C (100 °F) in kilopascals (pounds-force per square inch).

However, a bourdon tube pressure gauge is used to measure the pressure so the reported pressure is actually in psig. That is confirmed by procedure 5B1.4 in the API Technical Data Book. Since this property is a change in pressure, the units in the analysis are “psi”. (The standard lists the units as “psi”; nowhere does it mention units as “psia” or “psig”).

47. 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, the most common location is usually in the outlet of the Make-Up/Blow-Down operation. For typical amine or glycol dehydration units, the circulation rate may be specified in any lean stream between the Make-Up/Blow-Down block and the absorber.

48. Can a battery of scenarios or parametric study be run, in some automated way, on a given ProMax project?

Yes, the ProMax Scenario Tool, which is an add-in for Microsoft® Excel, allows you to easily and automatically solve a number of ProMax projects with various conditions. Some examples of the use of the Scenario Tool might be:

  1. Perturbing inlet conditions and compositions,
  2. Adjusting equipment specifications, or
  3. Simulating historic plant data.

Please refer to ProMax Help for detailed information on using the Scenario Tool.

49. 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.

Dehydration Specific Questions

50. 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.

51. 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.

52. 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.

53. How can I model a dehy absorber with 10 trays if I assume 25% overall tray efficiency?

Using the Ideal Stage Model Type assuming 25% efficiency would be the equivalent of 2.5 ideal stages. The half stage can be modeled by setting the Murphree Efficiencies based on the VAPOR phase on ONLY ONE of the stages to 50%. If the number of ideal stages is a whole number, Murphree Efficiencies should not be used at all! Note that specifying a Murphree Efficiency of 25% on all stages based on the vapor phase in an 8 stage contactor would result in a much higher water content in the dry gas than using 2 ideal stages to represent the column. This is because the Murphree Efficiency effects are compounded from one stage to the next whereas the overall column tray efficiency is just the ratio of the number of theoretical trays to the number of actual trays. You can also use the Mass + Heat Transfer Model Type and enter the actual number of trays. The Mass Transfer Correlations account for the less-than-100% tray efficiency in the column internally.

Acid Gas Treating (Amine) Specific Questions

54. 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; Amine Sweetening or Electrolytic ELR should be used for most applications. Either SRK or PR may be used for the vapor phase.

55. Which property package should I use for sour water stripping applications?

To obtain accurate results for sour water stripping applications, use Electrolytic ELR as the Property Package.

56. How do I model a liquid-liquid amine treater?

Set the absorber Model Type to Ideal Stage, since Mass Transfer correlations are applicable only for vapor and a single liquid phase on each stage in a column. The Flash Type must be set to LLE and the Column Type parameter set to Ideal Stage (TSWEET Kinetics does not apply to liquid treating). A liquid-liquid treater will rarely have more than 2 or 3 ideal stages.

57. 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.

58. I want to specify rich loading in my amine absorber. How can I make this specification?

Rich loading cannot be specified directly, but 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, using a Simple Solver to achieve a certain rich amine loading.

59. 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.

60. 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.

61. Does ProMax report the pH of a stream?

Yes, either in the Amine Analysis or Ionic Information Analysis available in the Analyses tab of the process stream.

62. 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. See the Amine Sweetening with MDEA and Acid example in the Acid Gas Removal subfolder of the Sour Systems examples folder.

63. 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 Amine Sweetening with DGA example in the Acid Gas Removal subfolder of the Sour Systems examples folder, for a model utilizing a reclaimer on the stripper.

64. 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 1% 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

65. How do I access Exchanger Rating?

In the exchanger block dialog Process Data tab, click Heat Transfer in the Grouping side bar on the left. Then click the Enable checkbox near the bottom. The Rating tab will then be available for specifying the exchanger geometry and other Rating parameters.

66. Why can't I rate my air cooled (fin fan) heat exchanger in ProMax?

To rate an air cooled heat exchanger in ProMax, you must use an Energy Stream to connect the heat exchanger to another heat exchanger side that contains air as the process fluid (single-sided exchangers cannot be rated in ProMax). You can also use a cross exchanger with air on one side and the process fluid on the other side. Usually the inlet and outlet temperatures are specified for the air side and ProMax computes the flow rate based on the required duty. If nitrogen and oxygen are not present in the environment for the flowsheet, you may wish to add those components. Alternatively, you can add another flowsheet containing nitrogen and oxygen and connect a heat exchanger in this flowsheet to the air cooler through a cross flowsheet connector.

67. I am rating a Shell and Tube exchanger, but the fluids are reversed on my specification sheet. Why?

Within the heat Exchanger Rating information, the very top line in the Tubes dialog 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.

68. How do I model plugged tubes in the Exchanger Rating?

In the Internals dialog on the Rating tab, specify the number of Plugged Tubes per Pass or the Fraction Plugged Flow Area.

Separator Sizing Questions

69. 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

70. 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.

71. 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.

72. I need to provide the client with a Heat and Material Balance of my process along with Equipment Specification Sheets for some of the pumps and heat exchangers. Is there a way to generate these from ProMax?

Yes, the User Defined Report tool, which is a Microsoft® Excel Add-In, allows you to create reports using existing templates, or to modify those templates to further customize the reports. This feature is useful for creating energy/material balance sheets and data or specification sheets for various equipment such as compressors, pumps, and exchangers. The User Defined Report can include any desired blocks, streams, or other objects in the Project, and the appearance can be completely customized to include colors, borders, logos, etc. The User Defined Report can be accessed through the ProMax Report dialog in ProMax 4.0 or greater, or it can be used as a stand-alone tool in Excel. A number of pre-defined report templates are available in the ProMax Example Files folder:

AddOns\Excel\User Defined Report

In addition to the detailed information on using the Report Designer and Report Generator tools available in the ProMax Help, BR&E support can assist you with creating a custom report design.