Column Analysis in Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus V9

Webinar Q&A and Additional FAQs

This document summarizes the responses to questions posed before and during the webinar, as well as
general questions weve received. Additional questions should be directed to AspenTech Support. The
webinar recording can be found here.

Implementation Background
Q: What is the underlying literature (books, publications, etc.) used in Column Analysis?
A: The literature references are included in the V9 Product Help in the software.
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Q: Are correlations for vendor-specific internals included in Column Analysis?
A: For conventional trays, we only use the literature published methods. For packing, we use the
Aspen-Wallis correlation which is proprietary and matches experiments well or better in some
cases than other literature correlations and vendor-sizing tools. We also collaborated with the
vendor Raschig for updated pressure drop and mass transfer correlations for their packings in
V9 of aspenONE Engineering.
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Q: What are the available hydraulics correlations?
A: You can find this information in the Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus in-product documentation,
which has an extensive list.
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Q: In the older versions of Aspen HYSYS, we noted that the expected flooding factors were very
conservative. What level of confidence has this new version analysis in the prediction of
flooding or other hydraulic limitation?
A: In the Column Analysis white paper, we did an extensive comparison of hydraulic results from
V9 with experimental data and the agreement is excellent.
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Q: Can this model work with rate-based modeling?
A: Yes, Column Analysis is compatible with Aspen Rate-Based DistillationTM in Aspen Plus and
Acid Gas Cleaning in Aspen HYSYS (which uses rate-based technology).
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Q: Can the hydraulic evaluation work with tray efficiency?
A: The user can specify the actual number of trays and define a tray efficiency to account for
non-ideal stages.
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Q: How is the diameter, downcomer width or other geometry calculated?
A: For both trays and packing, a section diameter is calculated based on the tray with the
maximum liquid volume flow rate. For trays, this is based on an 80% jet flood limit. For packing,
this is based on an 80% (by default) approach to maximum capacity. In addition, the number of
passes in trays is determined to meet the maximum weir loading, and the downcomers are sized
to meet the maximum downcomer exit velocity.
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Q: Are the hydraulic calculations solved with either Aspen HYSYS or Aspen Plus?
A: No, hydraulic calculations are post-solve calculations. The pressure profile results from Column
Analysis, which can be updated for the rest of the flowsheet by clicking the Update pressure
drop from bottom/top buttons.
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Q: Does the Column Analysis white paper include published FRI data thats compared to Column
Analysis?
A: The white paper does include comparisons to some of the FRI experiments and data.
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Trays and Packing Setup

Q: What is the difference between rating and interactive sizing?
A: Interactive sizing means that the geometry is dependent on flows and updates based on the
vapor-liquid traffic. A user can constrain the design to match their understanding. Rating means
that the geometry will not automatically update when simulation results change and the user
has to manually input changes to the geometry.
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Q: Does Column Analysis use theoretical stage or actual stage?
A: We assume a one-to-one mapping of theoretical to actual. We require users to input efficiency
factors in their column model to emulate real trays.
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Q: Is the static head included in the hydraulic calculation of the internals?
A: Static head is included in the rating results for pressure by default, but the user can optionally
turn this correction off.
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Q: Can you specify inlet weirs?
A: Currently, we dont support inlet weirs.
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Q: Can different sections of the column have different tray efficiencies when calculating the
number of actual trays?
A: The user has the option to specify tray efficiencies for different sections. When tray efficiencies
are defined, Aspen Plus and Aspen HYSYS assume that the total number of stages is the total
number of actual trays.
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Q: Can a column with both tray and packing internals be analyzed here?
A: Yes, multiple sections can be defined for a single column and a section can have either trays or
packing.
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Column Analysis Capabilities

Q: Is it possible to model a column having both a chemical reaction and separation?
A: The user can model a column with both a chemical reaction and separation in both Aspen Plus
and Aspen HYSYS. Chemical reaction is handled by the column solver, not Column Analysis.
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Q: Is Column Analysis available in dynamic mode?
A: You can use the hydraulically sized geometry in dynamics and use the steady-state results as a
starting point, but the results will not update dynamically.
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Q: Can Column Analysis predict the actual efficiency based on hydraulics constraints and
correlations?
A: Column Analysis doesnt predict the tray efficiency based on hydraulics constraints and
correlations. The rate-based column model in Aspen Plus or Aspen HYSYS can calculate the tray
efficiency based on mass transfer.
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Q: Is there functionality to include liquid-phase separation on the trays?
A: Column Analysis doesnt consider liquid-phase separation on the trays. It assumes that there is
only one liquid phase.
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Q: Does Column Analysis estimate HETPs for packing? If so, by what method(s)?
A: We do not calculate HETPs for equilibrium columns, but we do for rate-based distillation
columns. For equilibrium columns, a user can include packed height per stage as an input. In
rate-based distillation, the user has a selection of liquid holdup, mass transfer and heat transfer
methods to choose from based on the internal types. From these, we calculate the results
including efficiencies and HETPs.
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Q: Can Column Analysis consider anti-foaming reagents?
A: The user can specify a foaming factor in Column Analysis to account for the effect of
anti-foaming reagents.
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Q: Does Column Analysis work with Activated Economics when estimating the costs of the
column with new internals, installation costs, etc.?
A: Column Analysis can work with Activated Economics, but with some exceptions.
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Q: Can I perform hydraulic analysis on all columns?
A: All Aspen HYSYS columns, except for the shortcut petroleum column and the liquid-liquid
extractor, are supported. Side strippers and rectifiers can be sized and rated along with the main
towers. In Aspen Plus, only RadFrac is supported; Petrofrac and Multifrac are not supported. The
legacy TPSAR is supported for Petrofrac and MultiFrac.

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Specific Applications
Q: Is it possible to model separated wall columns?
A: We dont have a dedicated divided (separated) wall column in either Aspen Plus or
Aspen HYSYS. The user can use two or more columns that are linked together to represent a
divided wall column. However, Column Analysis assumes that each column is perfectly round.
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Q: Does Column Analysis consider polymerization, such as styrene on trays?
A: If reactions are specified in the column, they will be considered by the column solver, not
Column Analysis. Column Analysis is a post-consumer of simulation results, including state
conditions and transport properties. The hydraulics depend on these results and nothing else.
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Q: Can we check the impact of an inlet device on the hydraulics of the crude column?
A: We support all column types in Aspen HYSYS, including the crude unit with pumparounds and
side strippers/rectifiers.

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Q: Will this hydraulic interface work with an internal column environment,
expanding/integrating overhead condenser and bottoms reboiler?
A: Yes, the detailed hydraulics are still available in the Aspen HYSYS Column sub-flowsheet where
you can see the effects of the reboiler and condenser on the tower hydraulic results.
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Q: Does Column Analysis work with the Acid Gas Cleaning functionality in Aspen HYSYS?
A: Yes, Column Analysis is compatible with the Acid Gas Cleaning technology, replacing the older
methods for specifying the column configurations. Acid Gas Cleaning includes specialized
property packages, including one for MDEA. Hydraulically calculated geometry from internals
can be sent to the Aspen HYSYS rating tab via a Send to Rating Button. Acid Gas Cleaning
forms are linked to the rating tab, which is how you can update Acid Gas Cleaning geometries
with detailed geometries.

Aspen Plus Rate-Based Distillation will also support the new column internals results.
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Sharing and Analyzing Results

Q: Is exporting to KG-Tower or SulcolTM as easy as it used to be with the tray sizing utility?
A: Yes, weve greatly improved this capability.
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Q: Is there an option to update pressure estimates in the column model from the Column
Analysis tool?
A: Yes, this option is available for a tower in "Rating" mode.
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Q: Is there any option to define different operating cases for evaluating tray flexibility and
turndown?
A: The user can define multiple internals options with different configurations to evaluate the
effect of internals on the hydraulic performance of the column. The hydraulic plots display the
operating point and the hydraulic boundaries help the user understand the flexibility and
turndown of the trays. Currently, there is no option in Column Analysis for the user to define a
turndown ratio directly.

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Q: Can the thermal profile of the column be produced similarly to the tray graphical as was
shown for hydraulics?
A: The thermal profile of the column is determined by the vapor-liquid traffic, which is handled by
the column solver, not Column Analysis.
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Q: Is there any efficiency tray suggestion according to the used fluids?
A: No, not currently.
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Q: Can I export pressure drop?
A: Yes, in Aspen Plus you have the option to update the pressure drop with the hydraulic pressure
drop during every flowsheet convergence. In Aspen HYSYS, you can update the pressure profile
input once.
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Q: Can I compare multiple geometries?
A: Yes, you can create multiple column configurations and then switch between them. In
Aspen HYSYS, you can use the drop down to manage multiple options for internals. In
Aspen Plus, the Column Internals form allows you to manage multiple options and specify the
active design basis. You can also use Aspen Simulation WorkbookTM (an Excel-based tool) to
compare multiple geometries.

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Q: Can I remove the flowsheet indicator in Aspen HYSYS for columns?
A: The small icon for Column Analysis beside the column icon is designed to help the user access
Column Analysis quickly. It can be removed by going to options, equipment and unchecking
Display Decoration on PFD.
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General Questions about Column Analysis

Q: Is this feature standard with Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus or does it require additional tokens?
A: It is a standard feature of Aspen Plus and Aspen HYSYS.
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Q: Where is the validation documentation available?
A: It is available on both our public website and the support website.
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Q: What if I have previous versions of the tray sizing utility or TPSAR in my model?
A: If there are previous versions of the tray sizing utility or TPSAR in your model, Aspen Plus or
Aspen HYSYS will give you the option to upgrade to Column Analysis. However, you can choose
to use the old tray sizing utility or TPSAR. In Aspen HYSYS, the old tray sizing utility is still kept
after the user upgrades to Column Analysis. In Aspen Plus, TPSAR will be deleted if the user
decides to upgrade to Column Analysis.
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