Pressure-driven dynamic process simulation using a new generic stream object

This paper discusses a new approach in dynamic process simulation, where the process flow sheet is interpreted as a one-dimensional pressure-driven flow network. The underlying pressure-flow dynamics is implemented analogously to CFD flux functions and hence physically accurate. Coupling with traditional unit models is feasible. The approach includes a new stream object that enables the accurate simulation of interactions between process components, the simulation of boundary cases such as start-up and shut-down, as well as machine tripping or other kind of equipment failure. A numerically stable way for the initialization and switchover from steady-state to dynamic simulation is presented. Moreover, the systematic regularization of discontinuities is discussed, which leads to a considerable improvement in numerical robustness and efficiency. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd.