Features
From SysCAD Documentation
Navigation: User Guide -> Features
User Interface
- SysCAD runs under the Microsoft Windows XP/2000/Vista operating systems.
- SysCAD is driven via pull down menus and toolbar buttons.
- Different windows display the flowsheet, model specification data, trends and simulation data.
Library of Process Models
SysCAD has a library of many unit operation models from which the user can construct the process flowsheet. The unit models are categorised into the following types:
- General purpose - eg. Tank, Pipe, Feeder, Tie, General controller and PID controller. These general models can be used in conjunctions with sub models such as reaction blocks and heat exchanger blocks to simulate a large number of processes.
- Single purpose unit operations - eg. Filters, Heat Exchangers, Washer etc. These models will perform specific functions and are less versatile than the general purpose models, but are easy to use. The user need only specify minimal configuration data for the models to function correctly.
- Dynamic models - eg. Pumps, conveyor belts, valves etc. These models are only used in the dynamic simulation mode.
- Industry related models - eg. General Alumina models. The General Alumina model contains a generic Bayer Liquor Properties model for use when simulating an Alumina plant.
- User defined models - The user may request special models to be added for their sole use only.
Associated with each model is an icon and an access window. The access window allows the user to configure the models to reflect their process.
Please refer to Section Model Libraries for a complete list of models available in SysCAD and for help on the individual models.
Species / Chemical Compounds
- A species / Chemical compound is a constituent of the process such as water, ammonia, gold, etc.
- SysCAD provides a thermodynamic database of species, which can be customised by the user.
- The species database is defined by the user and is loaded at run time.
- SysCAD handles solid, liquid and vapour phases.
- The stream compositions can be obtained from any unit operations or pipes within the model or through the $SDB page, which can be accessed via the View - Species Data command.
- SysCAD can also import specie data from the HSC Thermodynamic Database (Developed and sold by Outotec www.hsc-chemistry.com).
- To import data from the HSC database, the user must own a license for the software and the database must be available on the same computer/network as SysCAD.
Please refer to Section Species Table for more information on how to import and edit data.
Chemical Reaction Infrastructure
- The user may specify reactions in most units within SysCAD using the Reaction Block.
- The user defines chemical reactions in a text file. The user may use the SysCAD Reaction Editor (see Reaction Editor) or any text editor can be used to edit these reactions.
- The equations, extents and rates of reaction are specified in the reaction file, but these may be modified in SysCAD at run time.
- SysCAD provides stoichiometric checking on equations and is capable of solving many simultaneous reactions.
- SysCAD will determine if the reaction is exothermic or endothermic based on the thermodynamic data in the Specie Database.
Data Input
An interface to Microsoft Excel provides a simple, user configurable data input facility. At run time, SysCAD can be instructed to read data from of Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. See SysCAD Reports.
Data Output
SysCAD saves all model related data in a MS Access Database.
A number of data output formats are supported.
- Graphics - The flowsheets are stored as DXF files and can be printed using SysCAD or third party software. Annotation can be added.
- Reports - An interface to Microsoft Excel provides a comprehensive, user configurable report facility. Data exported from SysCAD to Microsoft Excel can be processed in the spreadsheet to calculate other data, e.g. running costs. See SysCAD Reports.
- Trends - A trending facility is available whereby any variable in the flowsheet can be trended to a chart in a window or its time value written to a file. The historical data can be recalled on-line for examination or comparison with other data. Spreadsheet queries can be made to the trend historian to report responses of selected variables.
Engineering Units and Resolution
- Support is provided for a wide range of engineering units, please see Conversions Table for a full list of the conversions available and other information.
- The engineering unit and numerical resolution is selectable on a variable-by-variable basis.
Documentation
Users may include descriptions of units using the equipment memo field and they may also create hyperlinks between units and external documentation. See Documentation on the Info Tab page.
Graphical Representation of Process Flowsheet
The user may import a process flow diagram (in DXF format) or build one using typical CAD technics in SysCAD. Icons of the different process units are selected from a library and positioned on the screen. What you see is what you model. The process units drawn are connected together with pipe models. SysCAD monitors the connectivity and formulates the equivalent mathematical model.
New graphics symbols can be easily added into the SysCAD symbols library to create more customised flowsheets. Please see Graphics Database for more information.
Once the flowsheet is solved, SysCAD uses colour codes to display the status of the unit operations in the simulation. Tags and annotation may be added to the graphics page. Simple animation (dynamic fill) can also be added to selected models under Dynamic mode.
Flowsheet Size
There is no limitation to the size of the flowsheet that can be modelled. The flowsheet can be divided into a series of drawings that can be run in any combination.
Simulation Speed
- Users of SysCAD generally find the simulator to be very robust.
- It handles large complex flowsheets with numerous recycle streams.
- In ProBal Mode, even a large simulation with over 1000 units can be solved within 10 minutes if properly tuned.
- In Dynamic mode, SysCAD can be operated using real time or accelerated time mode.
- Please note that the speed of simulation depends on the size and complexity of the process modelled, and the computer hardware used.
Control Simulation
- It is possible to superimpose both logical and analogue control on the flowsheet. This facility can be used to simulate interlocks, drive control logic, sequencing operations, manual and automatic operations.
- The user can write and test advance control strategies.
- SysCAD can be interfaced directly to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and Distributed Control Systems (DCS).
- Please refer to Process Control Models and PGM for more information.
Connectivity (Control Systems and Operator Interfaces)
SysCAD has full OPC Server and OPC Client functionality, which is used in dynamic mode. Compliance with this industry standard allows SysCAD to easily be connected to a large number of 3rd party software and hardware systems. Briefly, OPC (Which stands for OLE for Process Control) is a standard to allow systems to communicate time stamped values of tags while running. It is through this mechanism that SysCAD Dynamic can be connected to various SCADA, OI, MMI, PLC and DCS systems.
Interactive Solver
The SysCAD simulation solver is fully interactive. This is essential in dynamic mode to respond to operator and other external interactions while running. This is useful while building and tuning a model in steady state (ProBal) to make changes, corrections and so on while solving.
Batch run of what if scenarios
SysCAD has a command script function, which can batch run multiple SysCAD simulations under varying operating conditions. For example, once a base case of SysCAD simulation is set up and solved, the user can set up such a file to read in feed conditions from MS Excel, solve the simulation, produce a report in Excel and repeat the process with other sets of data. The user can easily use this feature to perform feasibility studies and for cost analysis.
