UniSim Design Suite model of a chemical process. (Image courtesy of Honeywell.)
Using this process modeling computer-aided engineering (CAE) tool, engineers can assess steady-state and dynamic systems. The engineer can then optimize and assess these systems for throughput, safety, operation, business plans, asset management, performance, safety and even troubleshooting.
Honeywell reports that customers that use its software often see a 20 percent improvement in their engineering effectiveness as well as capital expenditure savings of up to 30 percent in the material selection and safety system design of the plant.
In fact, the release sees a lot of improvements for safety system design. For instance, it introduces UniSim PRS (pressure relief system), which is used to design relief devices to ensure that pipes and other pressurised equipment will not burst.
Additionally, the release also improves UniSim Blowdown, which gives Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS) access to a large data pool and validation results from real-world conditions. This will help to ensure that the material, rating and size of blowdown networks meet American Petroleum Institute (API) 521 standards.
Engineers will also be able to model multiphase pumps in steady-state and dynamic situations. The enhancement will take multiphase pressure boosting technology into consideration. Engineers will also be able to model ice and hydrate formation as well as sand erosion.
Finally, the release also seems to be better connected to Honeywell’s cloud and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) capabilities. Namely, UniSim can connect to Honeywell's cloud-based solutions that collect data from plants and then perform analytics to help improve efficiency and reduce downtime. The improvement can also import assays and predefined refining properties as well as custom and standard mixing rules.
Other improvements include:
- UniSim Flare improved performance, data visualization and reporting when designing flare systems
- Integration of UniSim Design Suite with Heat Transfer Research Inc. products
- Import data from Calsep’s PVTSim products into UniSim Design