Patent ID: 8615387
Filing Date: 2013-12-24
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A system, comprising: a computer system comprising at least one processor; a thermodynamic process simulation application executes for the duration of a time period, the time period comprising a plurality of time steps; wherein the thermodynamic process simulation application executes on the at least one processor, iteratively invoking a pressure flow solver application to determine for each time step a plurality of pressures and flows for a thermodynamic network comprising a plurality of nodes, wherein the thermodynamic process simulation application executes on the at least one processor, invoking a flash solver application for each of the plurality of nodes, the flash solver application performing a flash equilibrium calculation to obtain in part at least one sensitivity associated with a first thermodynamic variable and performing for each of the plurality of nodes a Taylor series expansion of a thermodynamic property associated with the first thermodynamic variable, wherein the expansion is based on the at least one sensitivity, to produce at least one residual, wherein a result is determined, wherein the Taylor series comprises an expansion of where indicates the rate of change over time t of the volume V of a fluid associated with a node, wherein comprises wherein is the sensitivity of the volume V with respect to a pressure P, wherein is the sensitivity of the volume V with respect to an internal energy U, wherein indicates a summation over the plurality of chemical species associated with the node, wherein the index i ranges from 1 to M, wherein is the sensitivity of the volume V with respect to n are evaluated at the flash equilibrium solution point, wherein where ΔP is the difference between the pressure at the current time step and the pressure at the previous time step and where Δt indicates the duration of a time step, wherein wherein the superscripts “f”, “l” and “v” indicate properties associated with a feed, a mixed or liquid phase or a vapor phase, respectively, wherein the subscripts “imp” and “r” indicates a value imposed externally or via a reaction, respectively, wherein n indicates the number of moles associated with the node, wherein F indicates a molar flow, wherein H indicates an enthalpy, wherein Q indicates a heat flow, wherein indicates a summation over the plurality of chemical species associated with the node, wherein the index i ranges from 1 to M, wherein r is wherein x