Definition of modelling and simulation: Modelling and

simulation is a discipline for developing a level of

understanding of the behaviour of the parts of a system, and
of the system as a whole. Modelling and simulation is very
much an art. One can understand about riding a bicycle from
reading a book. To really learn to ride a bicycle, one must
actively practice with a bicycle. Modelling and simulation
follows much the same principle. You can learn much about
modelling and simulation from reading books and talking with
modellers. Skill and talent in developing models and
performing simulations are only developed through building
models and simulating them. Models are used particularly in
the basic sciences and engineering disciplines (such as
chemistry,
physics,
biology,
chemical
engineering,
mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, etc.) and also
in the social sciences (such as sociology, economics, political
science, etc.). Therefore, first we wish to know the general
definition of the model and then we will know the definition of
the process model.
Definition of model: A model is a simplified representation
of a system at some particular point in time and/or space
intended to promote understanding of the real system.
The word model actually comes from the Latin word modus,
which means a measure. Used as a noun, it means a small
representation of a planned or existing object (Websters New
World Dictionary). Remember that in many textbooks and
articles, the model is also referred to as a mathematical
model.
The above two definitions (modelling and simulation, and
model) include a new term system. The word system
probably has more varied meanings than any other word in
use today. We may consider
the following general definition for the system.
Definition of system: A system typically consists of
components (or elements) which are connected together in
order to facilitate the flow of information, matter or energy.

Therefore, in brief, a system is an assemblage of several

elements comprising a unified whole. From Latin and Greek,
the term system means to combine, to set up, to place
together. In chemical engineering discipline, a system is
composed of chemical unit operations, such as distillation
columns, chemical reactors, evaporators, heat exchangers,
etc. A system may produce the desired product using a single
distillation column, then that system is said to be the
distillation system.
Like the process control, the process model is typically used
in chemical engineering discipline. It may be defined as given
below.
Definition of process model: A process model comprises
of a set of equations that permits us to predict the dynamics
of a chemical process. Notice that the process model includes
the necessary input data for solving the modeling equations.
Although the process model may be a specific type of the
model, in the present study we will use the terms, model,
mathematical model and process model to mean the same
thing. Moreover, in the present study, we prefer to consider a
process as a unit operation. Accordingly, in several chapters
of this book, the distillation column, for example, will be
called as the distillation process. Therefore, we can say that
the process may be a part of a system or a complete system.