DirectLink

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Navigation: Models ➔ Other General Models ➔ DirectLink

Makeup Source Makeup Block (MU) Discard Sink Discard Block (DB) DirectLink Flange Tear

General Description

The DirectLink model is automatically created. Most DirectLinks are a direct link I/O (input/output) between two models in special cases. E.g. between a model that has a Makeup Block (MU) configured and the Makeup Source. Similar to a Flange, a DirectLink represents a connection between two models and it is used to transfer material between them. Some types of DirectLinks are entry or exit points and represent flow into or out of the project flowsheet. There are no user configurable options in the DirectLink model that affect its behaviour.

A DirectLink between units is conceptually similar to a simplified Pipe in that its flow (Qo) is reported in the same way, it has a graphics symbol, no changes in behaviour through the link and included in overall stream reports along with pipes.

The graphics symbol for a DirectLink (with UnitGroup Stream) is not drawn by the user, but created automatically at the relevant unit when applicable (e.g. when a Makeup Source is connected, or when a tank spills in Dynamic). The graphics symbol cannot be deleted, but can be repositioned and changed in the same way as other graphics symbols using the Change Symbol command. The graphics symbol can also be replaced by a pipe symbol using the Redraw Link command.

Some types of DirectLinks are entry or exit points of material from the flowsheet (i.e. inlet or outlet for the project). They have models connected on one side only. Examples include feeder inlets, sink outlets, spills, RB Source/Sink, etc. These DirectLinks do not have graphics symbols.

DirectLink Types

The list of possible DirectLink types (SubClass) are shown in the following table:

SubClass UnitGroup Source Unit Destination Unit Description
Makeup Stream Makeup Source Any with Makeup Block (MU) Link between a makeup source and unit/pipe model with Makeups enabled.
Discard Stream Any with Discard Block (DB) Discard Sink Link between a unit/pipe model with Discards enabled and a discard sink.
SrcSnk Stream Makeup Source Feeder-Cross Page Connector Link between a makeup source and a Feeder configured with "Link to MakeupSrc" selected for Operation.
Spill Stream Any that can spill None Dynamic mode only. Outlet (flowsheet material exit) from a unit/pipe model that "spills".
Vent Stream Any that can vent None Dynamic mode only. Outlet (flowsheet material exit) from a unit/pipe model that automatically "vents" (i.e. vapour spill).
Source Other None Feeder (as Feeder) or
Makeup Source
RB Source
Inlet (flowsheet material entry). For example to a feeder (configured as material source), to a makeup source or to a RB configured with a Reaction Source.
Sink Other Feeder (as Sink) or
Discard Sink or
RB Sink
None Outlet (flowsheet material exit). For example from a feeder (configured as material sink) or from a RB configured with a Reaction Sink.

Data Sections

The default sections and variable names are described in the following table. The number of Tabs in the access window may increase or decrease, based on user configuration.

  1. DirectLink - The first section, contains general information relating to material flowing through the Direct Link.
  2. Qo - This and subsequent tabs show the properties of the Direct Link. This tab is always visible.
  3. Sp - This tab shows the composition of material flowing through the Direct Link.
  4. The Info section contains general settings for the unit and allows the user to include documentation about the unit.

DirectLink Tab Page

Unit Type: DirectLink - The first tab page in the access window will have this name.

Tag (Long/Short) Input / Calc Description/Calculated Variables / Options
Tag Display This name tag may be modified with the change tag option.
Condition Display OK if no errors/warnings, otherwise lists errors/warnings.
ConditionCount Display The current number of errors/warnings. If condition is OK, returns 0.
GeneralDescription / GenDesc Display This is an automatically generated description for the unit. If the user has entered text in the 'EqpDesc' field on the Info tab (see below), this will be displayed here.
If this field is blank, then SysCAD will display the UnitType or SubClass.
SubClass Display This will display the type of Direct Link, i.e. Makeup, Discard, SrcSnk, Source, Sink, Spill, Vent.
Connections
SourceTag / SrcTag Display The tag of the source unit. Blank if SubClass is Source. For example for SubClass Makeup it will come from a Makeup Source.
DestinationTag / DstTag Display The tag of the destination unit. Blank if SubClass is Sink, Spill or Vent. For example for SubClass Discard it will be going to a Discard Sink.
SourceLink / SrcIO Display Available from Build 139.33098. The tag of the DirectLink's source unit, including the I/O connection point (PortID) of that unit. Blank if SubClass is Source.
DestinationLink / DstIO Display Available from Build 139.33098. The tag of DirectLink's destination unit, including the I/O connection point (PortID) of that unit. Blank if SubClass is Sink, Spill or Vent.
SourceUitType / SrcUnitType Display Available from Build 139.33098. The UnitType of the source unit.
DestinationUitType / DstUnitType Display Available from Build 139.33098. The UnitType of the destination unit.

Qo Tab Page

Tag (Long/Short) Input / Calc Description/Calculated Variables / Options
CopyToClipboard CopyToClipboard Button.png The mass flow, temperature, pressure and composition of the material in the pipe will be copied to the clipboard.
This can then be used to configure a Feeder using the PasteData Button in the Options Section. See How do I copy Stream data to a Feeder?
Include Properties Include Properties Button.png IncludeProps.png Displays a list of properties that the user can view or hide by clicking on the required property.
Energy Fields related to Thermodynamic properties, e.g. Hz, Hs, Cp, etc.
Saturation Fields related to the properties of the default Saturation species (usually H2O).
pH_Estimate Fields related to the pH estimate
Charge Fields related to Charge
Transport Transport properties such as viscosity and thermal conductivity
DensityCorrections Additional density correction variables
HeatsOfCombustion The Heat of Combustion is the heat released (i.e. enthalpy change) if the stream components undergo complete combustion with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide gas and water.
Available from Build 139. (Replaces old Heating Values option.)
ValuesAtUserTandP Additional variables will be evaluated at the user defined temperature and pressure
SolutionImpurities Impurity flows, fractions and concentrations.
H2OProperties Properties of pure water and steam
WaterQuality Properties of water streams such as hardness, alkalinity and oxygen demand
The following variables defines the species model that is used to calculate the physical properties of the stream, such as density, heat capacity, etc.
  • The SpModel.Reqd field is only shown if more than one Species Model is available in the project (e.g. Standard and Bayer3). On a Qi, QFeed or QProd page, it is an input field, on a Qo page, it is a result field. The Species Model should only be explicitly chosen when a change in Species Model is required. In most cases SpModel.Reqd should simply be set to Inherit.
SpModel.Reqd Inherit Upstream configuration will be used.
Standard All the variables are calculated using the Mass Weighted Mean of the species.
Species Model Use an alternative species model, such as 'Bayer3' or 'Potash'.
SpModel.Used Standard The Standard species model is being used.
Species Model An alternative species model is being used.
SpModelType Display This field displays the Species Model type (or Name) used.
SpModelIdNo Display This field displays a unique number generated when the Species Model is created.
ShowHeatingValues Tickbox Removed in Build 139. If ticked, then the calorific Heating Values of the material in the stream will be displayed. From Build 139, refer to Heats Of Combustion.
RangeChecksOn Tickbox This field is only shown on a QFeed page of units. If ticked, then range checks will be not be performed on the QFeed. Range checks can be globally switched off on the Plant Model - Settings tab page.

Qualities

Lockup.Action Input / Display The user may select Modify Content. The 'Lockup' values are set on the 'DLockup' tab.
The field displays the actual state of the Lock Up function: If this has been enabled then this will display 'Lockup.Action(On)', otherwise it will display 'Lockup.Action'. Please see LockUp for more information.
Note: Lockup must first be enabled on the Plant Model - Qualities Tab and created upstream of the surge unit before the user may modify it here.
MatTrack.Action Input / Display The user may select Modify Content. The 'Tracking' values are set on the 'DTrack' tab.
The field displays the actual state of the Material Tracking function: If this has been enabled then this will display 'MatTrack.Action(On)', otherwise it will display 'MatTrack.Action'. Please see Material Tracking for more information.
Note: Material Tracking must first be configured on the Plant Model - Qualities Tab and created upstream of the surge unit before the user may modify it here.
SzDist.Action Input / Display The user may select Modify Content. The 'Size Distribution' values are set on the 'DSz' tab.
The field displays the actual state of the Size Distribution function: If this has been enabled then this will display 'SzDist.Action(On)', otherwise it will display 'SzDist.Action'. Please see Size Distribution (PSD) for more information.
Note: Size Distribution must first be created upstream of the surge unit before the user may modify it here.
SzSSA.Action Input / Display The user may select Modify Content. The 'SSA' values are set on the 'SSA' tab.
The field displays the actual state of the SSA function: If this has been enabled then this will display 'SzSSA.Action(On)', otherwise it will display 'SzSSA.Action'. Please see Specific Surface Area (SSA) for more information.
Note: SSA must first be created upstream of the surge unit before the user may modify it here.
Lockup.InUse Display Displays the state of the LockUp function: Yes or No.
MatTrack.InUse Display Displays the state of the Material Tracking function: Yes or No.
SzDist.InUse Display Displays the state of the Size Distribution (PSD) function: Yes or No.
SzSSA.InUse Display Displays the state of the Specific Surface Area (SSA) function: Yes or No.

Properties

These properties are related to the material flowing in the stream, e.g. mass fraction, volumetric flow, density, etc.

Temperature / T Calc The temperature of the incoming material.
Pressure / P Calc The pressure of the incoming material.
Mass Flow
MassFlow / Qm Calc The total mass flow into the pipe.
SolidMassFlow / SQm Calc The mass of solids flowing into the pipe.
LiquidMassFlow / LQm Calc The mass of liquids flowing into the pipe.
VapourMassFlow / VQm Calc The mass of vapour flowing into the pipe.
SlurryMassFlow / SLQm Calc The mass of slurry flowing into the pipe.
AqDissolvedMassFlow / AqDissQm Calc The mass of dissolved aqueous species flowing into the pipe. This will be the flow of all aqueous species excluding water.
AqueousMassFlow / AqQm Calc The mass of all aqueous species (including water) flowing into the pipe.
Volume Flow
VolFlow / Qv Calc The total volume flow into the pipe.
SolidVolFlow / SQv Calc The volume of solids flowing into the pipe.
LiquidVolFlow / LQv Calc The volume of liquids flowing into the pipe.
VapourVolFlow / VQv Calc The volume of vapour flowing into the pipe.
SlurryVolFlow / SLQv Calc The volume of slurry flowing into the pipe.
Normal Volume Flow
NVolFlow / NQv Calc The normalised volumetric flow through the pipe. The volume is calculated at Normal Temperature and Presure (NTP). NTP can be specified by the user in the configuration file (see Project Configuration (cfg File)). Default values are 20°C and 101.325kPa.
SolidNVolFlow / SNQv Calc The Normal volume of solids flowing into the pipe.
LiquidNVolFlow / LNQv Calc The Normal volume of liquids flowing into the pipe.
VapourNVolFlow / VNQv Calc The Normal volume of vapour flowing into the pipe.
SlurryNVolFlow / SLNQv Calc The Normal volume of slurry flowing into the pipe.
Totalised Mass Flow

These fields are only visible in a dynamic project, when Audit is turned on from the Plant Model. Only some of these fields may be shown depending on the Totaliser Flow options chosen.

Total.TotalMass / Total.Mt Calc The total mass which has flowed through the pipe since the model started running.
Total.SolidMass / Total.SMt Calc The total mass of solids which has flowed through the pipe since the model started running.
Total.LiquidMass / Total.LMt Calc The total mass of liquids which has flowed through the pipe since the model started running.
Total.VapourMass / Total.VMt Calc The total mass of vapour which has flowed through the pipe since the model started running.
Total.SlurryMass / Total.SLMt Calc The total mass of slurry (solids + liquids) which has flowed through the pipe since the model started running.
Totalised Volume Flow

These fields are only visible in a dynamic project when Audit is turned on from the Plant Model. Only some of these fields may be shown depending on the Totaliser Flow options chosen.

Total.TotalVolume / Total.Vt Calc The total volume which has flowed through the pipe since the model started running.
Total.SolidVolume / Total.SVt Calc The total volume of solids which has flowed through the pipe since the model started running.
Total.LiquidVolume / Total.LVt Calc The total volume of liquids which has flowed through the pipe since the model started running.
Total.VapourVolume / Total.VVt Calc The total volume of vapour which has flowed through the pipe since the model started running.
Total.SlurryVolume / Total.SLVt Calc The total volume of slurry (solids + liquids) which has flowed through the pipe since the model started running.
First Flow

These fields are only visible in a dynamic project when Audit is turned on from the Plant Model. Only some of these fields may be shown depending on the First Flow options chosen.

Qm.At.Step Calc The step that flow first occurs in the pipe since the model started running.
Qm.At.Time Calc The time that flow first occurs in the pipe since the model started running.
Density See the section on Density for further information.
Density / Rho Calc Calculated Density of the material
SolidDensity / SRho Calc Density of the solids phase
LiquidDensity / LRho Calc Density of the liquid phase
VapourDensity / VRho Calc Density of the vapour phase
SlurryDensity / SLRho Calc Density of the Slurry (Liquid and Solid phase)
SolidConc Calc The solids concentration at stream temperature.

Density Correction

Please see included properties - Density Correction.

Mass Fractions
SolidFrac / Sf Calc Solids mass fraction
LiquidFrac / Lf Calc Liquid mass fraction
VapourFrac / Vf Calc Vapour mass fraction
SlurryFrac / SLf Calc Available from Build 139.31388. Slurry (solids + liquids) mass fraction.
Slurry.SolidFrac / Slurry.Sf Calc Solids mass fraction on slurry basis (solids + liquids)
Slurry.LiquidFrac / Slurry.Lf Calc Liquid mass fraction on slurry basis (solids + liquids)
Volume Fractions
SolidVolFrac / Svf Calc Solids volume fraction
LiquidVolFrac / Lvf Calc Liquid volume fraction
VapourVolFrac / Vvf Calc Vapour volume fraction
SlurryVolFrac / SLvf Calc Available from Build 139.31388. Slurry (solids + liquids) volume fraction.
Slurry.SolidVolFrac / Slurry.Svf Calc Available from Build 139.31388. Solids volume fraction on slurry basis (solids + liquids)
Slurry.LiquidVolFrac / Slurry.Lvf Calc Available from Build 139.31388. Liquid volume fraction on slurry basis (solids + liquids)
Molar Flow
MoleFlow / QMl Calc The total number of moles flowing through the unit.
SolidMoleFlow / SQMl Calc The number of moles of solids flowing through the unit.
LiquidMoleFlow / LQMl Calc The total number of moles of liquids flowing through the unit.
VapourMoleFlow / VQMl Calc The total number of moles of vapours flowing through the unit.
SlurryMoleFlow / SLQMl Calc The total number of moles of solids and liquids flowing through the unit.
Molar Fractions
MlSolidFrac / MlSf Calc Solids molar fraction
MlLiquidFrac / MlLf Calc Liquid molar fraction
MlVapourFrac / MlVf Calc Vapour molar fraction
MlSlurryFrac / MlSLf Calc Available from Build 139.31388. Slurry (solids + liquids) molar fraction.
MoleWt Calc The average molecular weight of all the species.
SolidMoleWt / SMoleWt Calc Available from Build 139. The average molecular weight of all solid species.
LiquidMoleWt / LMoleWt Calc Available from Build 139. The average molecular weight of all liquid species.
VapourMoleWt / VMoleWt Calc Available from Build 139. The average molecular weight of all vapour species.

Energy Values

Please see included properties - Energy.

Values at User Defined T and P

Please see included properties - Values at User Defined T and P.

Solubility Values

Please see included properties - Solubility.

Saturation Values

Please see included properties - Saturation .

Acidity (pH)

Please see included properties - Acidity

Charge

Please see included properties - Charge

Transport Properties

Please see included properties - Transport

Heating Values

Removed in Build 139. Please see included properties - Heating Values. From Build 139, refer to Heats of Combustion.

Heats of Combustion

Available from Build 139. Please see included properties - Heats of Combustion.

Solution Impurities

Please see included properties - Solution Impurities

H2O Properties

Please see included properties - H2O Properties

User Property Calculations

Users can define their own calculations (called User Property Calculations) in the Project Configuration (cfg File) which will be displayed on the Qi/Qo page. Refer to Calculation Configuration for more details.

WQ Tab Pages

Please see included properties - Material Flow Section - Water Quality.

Sp and EC Tab Pages

The Sp tab shows the actual species flows in a stream. It has mainly read only variables, except for the options that determine the species fractional basis and how the flows in columns 2 onwards are displayed. The method by which Fractions and Concentrations is calculated is affected by the Phase which is chosen. The Sp tab shows the species flows. The optional EC tab shows the elemental and component flows. Elements and Components are listed alphabetically.

The View Options allow the user to display the Species, Component and Elemental flows in columns 2 onwards in different ways. Not all options are available for the Species, Compounds and Elements.

If the BasisPerColumn option is ticked on the Views Tab of the Plant Model, then the basis can be selected for each individual column on the Sp page. If the BasisPerColumn option is NOT ticked, then the Basis can only be set once for all columns on the Sp page.

The Basis and Display options for the Elements section of the EC page and the Components section of the EC page can only be set once for all columns.

Phase Basis

Tag Option Description
Species Page (Sp)
SpBasis All The total mass or volume of the DirectLink will be used when calculating fractional values or concentrations.
Phase The mass or volume of each phase (solid, liquid or gas) will be used when calculating fractional values or concentrations.
Individual Phase The mass or volume of each Individual phase (solid, liquid, aqueous, organic, gas, etc.) will be used when calculating fractional values or concentrations.
Elements and Compounds Page (EC)
EleBasis All The total mass or volume of the DirectLink will be used when calculating elemental fractional values or concentrations.
Phase The mass or volume of each phase (solid, liquid or gas) will be used when calculating elemental fractional values or concentrations.
Individual Phase The mass or volume of each Individual phase (solid, liquid, aqueous, organic, gas, etc.) will be used when calculating elemental fractional values or concentrations.
EleDisplay

Only visible if
Phase or
Individual Phase
is chosen
for EleBasis
Sol,Liq,Vap Only visible if Phase is chosen for EleBasis. The solid, liquid and vapour elemental displays will be shown.
Sol,Liq Only visible if EleBasis = Phase. The solid and liquid elemental displays will be shown.
Liq,Vap Only visible if EleBasis = Phase. The liquid and vapour elemental displays will be shown.
Sol,Vap Only visible if EleBasis = Phase. The solid and vapour elemental displays will be shown.
Sol Only visible if EleBasis = Phase. Only the solid elemental displays will be shown.
Liq Only visible if EleBasis = Phase. Only the liquid elemental displays will be shown.
Vap Only visible if EleBasis = Phase. Only the vapour elemental displays will be shown.
IPhaseX Only visible if EleBasis = Individual Phase. Only the elemental displays for the chosen IPhase will be shown.
CmpBasis All The total mass or volume of the DirectLink will be used when calculating component fractional values or concentrations.
Phase The mass or volume of each phase (solid, liquid or gas) will be used when calculating component fractional values or concentrations.
CmpDisplay

Only visible if
Phase is chosen
for CmpBasis
Sol,Liq,Vap The solid, liquid and vapour component displays will be shown.
Sol,Liq The solid and liquid component displays will be shown.
Liq,Vap The liquid and vapour component displays will be shown.
Sol,Vap The solid and vapour component displays will be shown.
Sol Only the solid component displays will be shown.
Liq Only the liquid component displays will be shown.
Vap Only the vapour component displays will be shown.

View Options

View Option Visible on Sp Tab
Visible on EC Tab
Description
Mass Flow Yes Yes Mass Flow Rate of the species, element or component.
Mass Frac Yes Yes Mass Fraction of the species, element or component.
Conc Yes Yes The species, element or component concentration at DirectLink temperature and pressure, as mass/volume.
Conc25 Yes Yes The species, element or component concentration at 25°C and DirectLink pressure, as mass/volume.
Mole Flow Yes Yes Mole Flow Rate of the species, element or component.
Mole Frac Yes Yes Mole Fraction of the species, element or component.
Mole Conc Yes Yes The species, element or component molar concentration at DirectLink temperature and pressure, as moles/volume.
Mole Conc25 Yes Yes The species, element or component molar concentration at 25°C and DirectLink pressure, as moles/volume.
Molality Yes Yes The molar concentration per unit mass of water (solvent) for aqueous species only, excluding water. Available from Build 139.
Vol Flow Yes No Volume Flow Rate of the species.
Vol Frac Yes No Volume Fraction of the species.
NVol Flow Yes No Normalised Volume Flow Rate of the species. This is calculated at the user defined normal temperature and pressure.
NVol Frac Yes No Normalised Volume Fraction of the species. This is calculated at the user defined normal temperature and pressure.
Equiv Conc Yes No Only relevant for ionic charged species. The equivalent concentration at DirectLink temperature and pressure, as equivalent/volume. Based on calculated equivalent weight.
Equiv Conc25 Yes No Only relevant for ionic charged species. The equivalent concentration at 25°C and DirectLink pressure, as equivalent/volume. Based on calculated equivalent weight.
PartialP Yes No The partial pressure of the gaseous species only.
PartialPFrac Yes No The partial pressure fraction of the gaseous species only.
Specific Hf Yes No Specific enthalpy of the species, expressed as energy per unit mass.
Specific Hz Yes No Specific Hz of the species, expressed as energy per unit mass.
Specific Hs Yes No Specific Hs of the species, expressed as energy per unit mass.
Total Hf Yes No Total enthalpy of the species, expressed as energy per unit time.
Total Hz Yes No Total Hz of the species, expressed as energy per unit time.
Total Hs Yes No Total Hs of the species, expressed as energy per unit time.

Please see Species Flow Section for more details.