The MiMiC Two-Phase, Three-Phase Separator Objects are rigorous first-principles, dynamic models of hydrocarbon separators designed for high-performance simulations for operator training or automation system testing.

The MiMiC Two-Phase, Three-Phase Separator Objects are part of the MiMiC Advanced Modeling Objects License that adds sophisticated modeling objects into the MiMiC Simulation Studio modeling palette. These objects can be used on MiMiC systems for application software testing or operator training. The MiMiC Advanced Modeling Objects License provides:

• Medium-High to High Fidelity Simulation Performance
• Rigorous First Principles process modeling using proven dynamic, real-time modeling methods
• Unit Operation modeling objects
• Easy handling of individual stream component physical properties using MiMiC Component Sets
• Block to block communications of all parameters with one connection using MiMiC Streams
• MiMiC OTM Process Snapshot support
• MiMiC OPC Server Access to all model parameters

In MiMiC Simulation Studio, process models using these objects can be integrated with any other models or MiMiC dynamic modeling blocks. All modeling blocks in MiMiC are IEC1131 function blocks. Models can be built off-line and then viewed executing on-line with real-time values from the MiMiC Simulation engine. The process of going from off-line model building to on-line model tuning is fast and intuitive.

Separator Object Overview

The Separator object can be configured for up to 5 (five) Inlet material streams and up to 4 (four) Outlet material streams. The Outlet Streams are:

• Vapor Product stream
• Vapor Vent stream
• Liquid (or Light liquid) product stream
• Heavy liquid stream (if object is configured as a Three Phase Separator)

The External Heat Input to the Separator can be specified by the user, and the Heat losses to ambient can be calculated by the object as an option. The heavy liquid stream contains only one heavy component (default is water) that has to be specified by the user. An additional Vapor Vent stream can be specified as an option. Each of the Inlet /Outlet Stream can contain up to 20 components. The object uses the material and energy balances, component thermodynamic properties, and Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium (VLE) equations to calculate pressure and temperature in the vessel, the separator vapor and liquid phase compositions, the volumes of vapor and liquid, and the levels of liquid and heavy liquid (if specified).

The flow rates for the Inlet /Outlet Streams can be assigned by user (if the Stream configuration option Flow_Assign_j, is set to TRUE) or calculated by the object itself using the data on the Valves, associated with the Streams. The object also defines the phase state of the Outlet Stream (vapor or liquid) by using the stream Nozzle location.

In the current version of the Separator Object the flows are assumed to be one directional, i.e. the Inlet Steam direction is from outside to the vessel (flow rate Fj >= 0) and the Outlet Steam direction is from the vessel to outside (its flow rate is Fj >= 0.0 in this direction). Bidirectional flow for the Inlet Streams is expected to be implemented in the future with the MiMiC pressure-flow solver application for bidirectional streams. Bidirectional flow for the Outlet Streams can be implemented in the current version of the Object by using the spare Inlet Stream as coupled to the Outlet Stream that needs to have bidirectional functionality. This is important, mainly, for the Vapor Vent and Product streams, which are often used for the Separator initial pressurization and/or pressure control.

Separator object configuration in MiMiC Simulation Studio

Ordering Information

The MiMiC Advanced Modeling Distillation / Separation Objects License can be added to any MiMiC system with a MM3-7111, Advanced Modeling Objects Core license.  The MiMiC system must also be current on MiMiC Software Support.