PSE Releases gPROMS Solids Process Modeling Environment

Process Systems Enterprise (PSE), providers of the world-leading gPROMS high-fidelity process modeling environment and related ModelCare services, launched its new gPROMS Solids product at the annual meeting of the International Fine Particles Research Institute (IFPRI) in Spa, Belgium.

Developed in conjunction with Procter & Gamble, gPROMS Solids provides an integrated drag & drop graphical flow sheeting environment for model-based engineering and optimization of solids processes. Population balance-based models of solids processing equipment are used to validate models against experimental data, optimize process design and operation, determine the optimal process economics and quantify and manage the risks associated with engineering decisions.

The package is aimed at process engineers and scientists in industries where particulate processes play an integral part, such as consumer products (FMCG), pharmaceuticals, food processing, and minerals and mining.

Ben Weinstein, section head of Corporate Function R&D Modeling & Simulation at Procter & Gamble, says, “A key advantage of gPROMS Solids is that it allows our modelers to develop dynamic models of complex processes and apply these to analyze process dynamics.”

gPROMS Solids helps engineers to optimize the operation of units such as high-shear wet granulators, fluidized bed dryers, mills, screens, spray dryers, and agglomerators in order to maximize throughput, ensure product quality, size recycles and surge bins for new plants and in general to determine the optimal trade-off between capital and operating cost and make informed purchasing decisions.

Typical benefits include reduced capital investment, reduced operating costs, improved product quality, increased throughput, more flexible process design, reduced CO2 footprint, and a better process understanding.

“Another key advantage is the ability to exploit any model using optimization-based capabilities such as parameter estimation and dynamic optimization,” says Weinstein. “These capabilities result in accurate models, optimal operating procedures, and ultimately a better likelihood that when we start up a new line it will work as planned.”

Key features of gPROMS Solids are its ability to perform full steady-state and dynamic modeling, handle large numbers of recycles robustly, and model complex operating procedures for batch and semi-continuous processes. Advanced features allow parameter estimation for fitting process parameters from laboratory or operational data, rigorous mathematical optimization of design and operation, and sensitivity analyses for risk management. It also integrates with gPROMS crystallization and gas-liquid process models to enable simultaneous whole-process design.

Sean Bermingham, PSE head of consulting and gPROMS Solids product manager, said, “gPROMS Solids addresses many traditional challenges for engineers and scientists, both at individual unit operation and overall process level, as well as workflow challenges such as short timelines, incidental usage, and experimental data processing. It also provides a very flexible and powerful platform for integrating companies’ internal R&D and third party research in the future.”