A User-Friendly Dynamic Reactor Simulator Built in Microsoft Excel
Received: 29 June 2022 | Revised: 25 July 2022 | Accepted: 27 July 2022 | Online: 15 December 2022
Corresponding author: M. L. Chew Hernandez
Abstract
Computer plant simulation is being used in all aspects of engineering, through many simulation software packages. However, almost all of them require licenses that must be purchased by engineering colleges intending to use simulation in their teaching. As public educational institutions everywhere are facing a scarcity of economic resources, they can resort to a freeware steady-state plant simulator, however, there is no availability of reliable, free dynamic plant simulators. In addition, published experiences on developing dynamic simulators use programming languages requiring paid licenses (e.g. Matlab) and thus have limited relevancy to schools struggling to cut expenses. This article first uses a set of typical college objectives to discuss the advantages of building their own dynamic simulators, and then shows the development of a user-friendly dynamic simulator of a batch reactor constructed entirely within Microsoft Excel, which, in contrast to the programming languages used in related reports, is already widely used by universities around the world.
Keywords:
batch reactor, dynamic simulation, visual basicDownloads
References
"Licenciaturas," Tecnológico Nacional de México. https://www.tecnm.mx/?vista=Licenciaturas.
"COCO - the CAPE-OPEN to CAPE-OPEN simulator." https://www.cocosimulator.org/.
B. O. Odedairo and N. Nwabuokei, "Framework for Operational Performance Measurements in Small and Medium Scale Industries Using Discrete Event Simulation Approach," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 3103–3107, Aug. 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.2106
M. L. C. Hernandez, L. V. Rosas, R. F. R. Mantilla, G. J. E. Martínez, and V. V. Romero, "Supply Chain Cooperation by Agreed Reduction of Behavior Variability: A Simulation-based Study," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 1546–1551, Apr. 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.1039
M. L. C. Hernandez, E. K. V. Hernandez, and S. L. Dominguez, "A Decision-Analytic Feasibility Study of Upgrading Machinery at a Tools Workshop," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 182–189, Apr. 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.139
C. Renotte, A. Vande Wouwer, Ph. Bogaerts, and M. Remy, "Neural Network Applications in Non-Linear Modelling of (Bio)Chemical Processes," Measurement and Control, vol. 34, no. 7, pp. 197–201, Sep. 2001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/002029400103400702
Adams II T. A., Ed., Modeling and Simulation of Energy Systems - Processes, Special Issue. MDPI, Basel, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pr7080523
P. E. Bauer and R. Maciel Filho, "Incorporation of environmental impact criteria in the design and operation of chemical processes," Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering, vol. 21, pp. 405–414, Sep. 2004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-66322004000300005
D. Huang, H. Zhang, S. Weng, and M. Su, "Modeling and Simulation of IGCC Considering Pressure and Flow Distribution of Gasifier," Applied Sciences, vol. 6, no. 10, Oct. 2016, Art. no. 292. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app6100292
I. M Ariff and M. Bakir, "Dynamic Simulation of Petrochemical Wastewater Treatment Using Wastewater Plant Simulation Software," MATEC Web of Conferences, vol. 203, no. 1, Jan. 2018, Art. no. 03005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201820303005
Y.-H. Yu and D. Jenne, "Numerical Modeling and Dynamic Analysis of a Wave-Powered Reverse-Osmosis System," Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, vol. 6, no. 4, Dec. 2018, Art. no. 132. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse6040132
V. Meshalkin, V. Bobkov, M. Dli, and V. Dovì, "Optimization of Energy and Resource Efficiency in a Multistage Drying Process of Phosphate Pellets," Energies, vol. 12, no. 17, Jan. 2019, Art. no. 3376. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en12173376
S. Silviana, F. Dalanta, D. Q. A’yuni, L. Khoiriyah, P. R. Nabila, and M. F. Alfaris, "Design simulation and economic optimization of a benzene-toluene-xylene system distillation process upon the energy cost," E3S Web of Conferences, vol. 202, 2020, Art. no. 10003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202020210003
A. Lemita, S. Boulahbel, and S. Kahla, "Gradient Descent Optimization Control of an Activated Sludge Process based on Radial Basis Function Neural Network," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 6080–6086, Aug. 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.3714
M. Khodadoost and J. Sadeghi, "Dynamic Simulation of Distillation Sequences in Dew Pointing Unit of South Pars Gas Refinery," Journal of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 109–116, Dec. 2011.
I. Šoljić Jerbić, S. Kuzmić, and A. Jukić, "Dynamic Simulation of Batch Polymerization Reactor and Sensitivity Analysis of Styrene Homopolymerization," Kemija u industriji : Časopis kemičara i kemijskih inženjera Hrvatske, vol. 64, no. 3–4, pp. 151–167, Mar. 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2013.039
T. P. Adhi and M. I. Prasetyo, "Process Stability Identification Through Dynamic Study of Single-bed Ammonia Reactor with Feed-Effluent Heat Exchanger (FEHE)," MATEC Web of Conferences, vol. 156, 2018, Art. no. 03003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201815603003
A. K. Patan, M. Mekala, and S. K. Thamida, "Dynamic Simulation of Heterogeneous Catalysis at Particle Scale to Estimate the Kinetic Parameters for the Pore Diffusion Model," Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 420–428, Dec. 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.13.3.2098.420-428
T. Wanotayaroj, B. Chalermsinsuwan, and P. Piumsomboon, "Dynamic simulation and control system for chemical looping combustion," Energy Reports, vol. 6, pp. 32–39, Feb. 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2019.11.038
F. Calise, U. Eicker, J. Schumacher, and M. Vicidomini, "Wastewater Treatment Plant: Modelling and Validation of an Activated Sludge Process," Energies, vol. 13, no. 15, Jan. 2020, Art. no. 3925. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en13153925
Q. Li, W. Zhang, Y. Qin, and A. An, "Model Predictive Control for the Process of MEA Absorption of CO2 Based on the Data Identification Model," Processes, vol. 9, no. 1, Jan. 2021, Art. no. 183. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9010183
I. M. Joao and J. M. Silva, "Designing Solutions by a Student Centred Approach: Integration of Chemical Process Simulation with Statistical Tools to Improve Distillation Systems," International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy (iJEP), vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 4–18, Sep. 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3991/ijep.v7i3.6795
J. Puskás, A. Egedy, and S. Németh, "Development of operator training simulator for isopropyl alcohol producing plant," Education for Chemical Engineers, vol. 22, pp. 35–43, Jan. 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ece.2017.11.003
S. M. Riachi, M. Duarte, and J. A. Scortechini, "Diseño De Un Simulador De Procesos Químicos Para Uso Colaborativo Y Didáctico," REFCalE: Revista Electrónica Formación y Calidad Educativa, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 71–82, Apr. 2014.
L. M. F. Lona, F. A. N. Fernandes, M. C. Roque, and S. Rodrigues, "Developing an educational software for heat exchangers and heat exchanger networks projects," Computers & Chemical Engineering, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 1247–1251, Jul. 2000. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0098-1354(00)00324-0
S. J. M. Cartaxo, P. F. G. Silvino, and F. A. N. Fernandes, "Transient analysis of shell-and-tube heat exchangers using an educational software," Education for Chemical Engineers, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. e77–e84, Jul. 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ece.2014.05.001
Y. Lee, C. Ko, H. Lee, K. Jeon, S. Shin, and C. Han, "Interactive plant simulation modeling for developing an operator training system in a natural gas pressure-regulating station," Petroleum Science, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 529–538, Aug. 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12182-017-0170-5
J. F. O. Granjo and M. G. Rasteiro, "Enhancing the autonomy of students in chemical engineering education with LABVIRTUAL platform," Education for Chemical Engineers, vol. 31, pp. 21–28, Apr. 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ece.2020.03.002
R. Molina, G. Orcajo, Y. Segura, J. Moreno, and F. Martínez, "KMS platform: A complete tool for modeling chemical and biochemical reactors," Education for Chemical Engineers, vol. 34, pp. 127–137, Jan. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ece.2020.09.003
M. L. C. Hernández, T. R. G. Gómez, G. B. Brugada, and D. E. R. Vargas, "Desarrollo Del Simulador Dinámico De Un Reactor Batch Con Fines Didácticos (building a Dynamic Simulator of a Batch Reactor for Educational Purposes)," Pistas Educativas, vol. 43, no. 139, pp. 34–49, Dec. 2021.
R. L. Keeney, Value-Focused Thinking: A Path to Creative Decisionmaking. Cambridge, MA, USA: Harvard University Press, 1996. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv322v4g7
A. K. Jana, Chemical Process Modelling and Computer Simulation, 2nd ed. New Delhi, India: Phi Learning pvt Ltd., 2011.
Downloads
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2022 M. L. Chew Hernandez, L. Viveros Rosas, I. Hernandez-Arrieta
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain the copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) after its publication in ETASR with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
