(82b) Expertise In Chemical Process Modeling

Chemical process modeling is based upon a small set of very general equations, and then particular problems are treated as a special case of these fundamental equations.  This quantitative approach has resulted in engineers with strong mathematical skills, and the development of powerful software that provides rigorous solutions to highly complex problems.  But an unintended consequence is that chemical engineers have lost a tacit understanding of physical properties and process behavior, and, as a result, process designs have suffered and the trouble-shooting skills of chemical engineers have diminished.  In other words, chemical engineers are not attaining expertise.

So, how do we improve the expertise of chemical engineers?  This presentation will build upon previous work of the author [1, 2, 3], and demonstrate that internalizing the patterns of physical properties and process behavior is a vital component to attain process-modeling expertise.  Interestingly, key solutions to the problem are enabled by software advances, namely the easy availability of comprehensive property databases and advances in graphics and visualization.

1  Paul M. Mathias, “Interactive Visualization of the McCabe-Thiele Diagram,” Chemical Engineering Progress, December, 105(12), 36-44 (2009).

2  Paul M. Mathias and Suphat Watanasiri, “Some Patterns of Fluid Phase Behavior,” J. Chem. Eng. Data, Article ASAP, 15 March 2011.

3  Paul M. Mathias and Suphat Watanasiri, “Patterns of Chemical Process Modeling,” presented at AspenTech Global Conference, Washington, D.C., 23-25 May 2011.