OLI Overview

Navigation: Models ➔ TCE Models ➔ OLI Overview

OLI Overview	OLI Model Configuration	OLI Direct Calc Model	OLI Side Calc Model	OLI Reactor 2	OLI Evaporator	OLI Flash Tank	OLI Reverse Osmosis	OLI Feeder Model

Latest SysCAD Version: 18 May 2023 - SysCAD 9.3 Build 139.33001

Available from Build 139.31866. - Next generation of OLI models in SysCAD as part of TCE. Previously released models (with Build137) have been archived as legacy models.

Overview

OLI Systems is a leading Electrolyte Simulation Software used to predicate equilibrium conditions and properties (such as pH) for aqueous chemistry.

It is developed and maintained by OLI Systems. (olisystems.com)
To use OLI in SysCAD it is assumed that the user has some familiarity with the theory and use of the OLI Systems software programs.
The SysCAD OLI library option (in ScdOLI2.DLL) requires the SysCAD "Energy Balance", "Integration Libraries" (formerly "SMDK Runtime") and "TCE" add-ons.
OLI Engine Runtime (32-bit) is licensed separately by OLI Systems and is required to be installed to use SysCAD TCE OLI Option.
"OLI Engine Runtime" includes OLI Chemistry Wizard which can be used to create the OLI database (dbs) files required by SysCAD.
The user may also purchase OLI Studio: Stream Analyzer from OLI Systems Inc. OLI Studio can also be used to create OLI database files required by SysCAD.

Additional Notes:

The "OLI Engine: Developer Edition" License is NOT required to use OLI in SysCAD.
"OLI Studio" or "OLI Studio: Stream Analyzer" does not include an "OLI Engine Runtime" license, this needs to be purchased separately from OLI Systems.
"OLI Engine Runtime" is sometimes referred to as "OLI Runtime for SysCAD" or "OLI Alliance Engine" - this is the same thing.
KWA Kenwalt Australia (SysCAD) are OLI Alliance Partners. (Alliance Partners)
For SysCAD Build 139 from August 2022, a TCE add-on is required instead of a legacy separate individual "SysCAD OLI" License add-on.
For legacy OLI models (ScdOLI.DLL) SysCAD version of Build 137, 138 or 139 is required. It cannot be used within the same project as the new TCE OLI Option. The legacy version will be discontinued in the next SysCAD Build.
OLI in SysCAD is not implemented as a Species Properties Model but as unit models for use at appropriate locations in a plant model.

OLI Systems Software

The following are direct quotes from the OLI website:

Analyze chemical streams, predict mineral scaling and corrosion in industrial chemical processes.

The behavior of electrolyte and water chemistry governs industrial chemical processes performance. OLI Systems makes it possible to deeply understand these behaviors to drive effective and efficient equipment design and process operations.

Please visit the OLI Studio for more information.

Models

OLI Option unit models:

OLI Model Configuration - Used to define and view various options for the selected OLI database, including management of mapping of SysCAD species list to species list used in OLI.
OLI Direct Calc Model - Standalone unit model to perform side calculations using OLI for predicting aqueous chemistry equilibrium conditions and properties on a user defined OLI stream.
OLI Side Calc Model - Standalone unit model to perform side calculations using OLI for predicting aqueous chemistry equilibrium conditions and properties on a SysCAD stream in the current project.
OLI Reactor 2 - Include this model in a SysCAD stream to use OLI to calculate predicted outlet conditions. Functionality is similar to SysCAD Reaction Block and FEM where for a given feed reactions occur with optional heat exchange. The model can be configured in a number of ways for different purposes.
OLI Evaporator - Include this model in a SysCAD flowsheet to model an evaporator using embedded OLI calculations.
OLI Flash Tank - Include this model in a SysCAD flowsheet to model a flash tank using embedded OLI calculations.
OLI Reverse Osmosis Unit - Include this model in a SysCAD flowsheet to model reverse osmosis using embedded OLI calculations. OLI can be used to calculate maximum permeate recovery (to incipient solids formation) and other operating modes.
OLI Feeder Model - Include this model in a SysCAD flowsheet to specify a feed using OLI species.

OLI Legacy unit models:

The following models are used for backward compatibility purposes only. These will be discontinued from Build 140 and users should convert any existing projects to use the TCE OLI models.

OLI Chemistry Model - please change to the new model OLI Model Configuration
OLI Sample Model - please change to the new model OLI Direct Calc Model
OLI Reactor - please change to the new model OLI Reactor 2

Species Mapping:

Ionlist is used to breakdown the species to ions. Please see Species Mapping for more information on this topic.

OLI evaporation models using OLI dlls that do not incorporate VLE calculations are suitable for water evaporation only.

OLI SysCAD Project Workflow

The list below are some recommended steps in creating a new OLI SysCAD project group.

If user only intend to use OLI for standalone equilibrium calculations, thus not linking it to existing SysCAD stream or species database, then follow the (A). If user wishes to use OLI to evaluate SysCAD streams, then follow (B).

Important Notes:

OLI software requires an OLI configuration file (*.dbs).
see OLI Referenced File for instructions.

(A) Using OLI as stand-alone thermodynamic calculation engine to perform OLI equilibrium calculations:

Create a Configuration File,
- select the OLI models in step 1 of 2 of edit configuration file,
- In Step 2 of 2 of edit configuration file, select the the OLI dll from the TCE tab .
Create or open a SysCAD project using the cfg file you have just edited.
Insert a OLI Model Configuration
- load in the OLI Model Definition file
Inset a OLI Direct Calc Model. Use the direct calc to perform OLI equilibrium calculations.

(B) Using OLI to evaluate SysCAD streams or as part of the SysCAD flowsheet:

Create a SysCAD.93.db3 file, the SysCAD database must contain the same number of individual phases as the OLI model file.
- A Utility is available to assist user with the creation of SysCAD.93.db3 file.
- The database is created using existing SysCAD data, OLI Model data is not transferred to the SysCAD database.
- Once a SysCAD.93.db3 file has been create, copy this database and the IonList.txt into the OLI SysCAD project \CfgFiles subfolder
Check and edit the SysCAD.93.db3 file inside the CfgFiles subfolder and correct any missing data.
Create a Configuration File,
- select the OLI models in step 1 of 2 of edit configuration file,
- In Step 2 of 2 of edit configuration file, select the required Species from the Species Tab.
- select the OLI dll from the TCE tab .
Create a SysCAD project.
Add OLI Model Configuration,
- load in the OLI Model .dll file
- complete the OLI Species to SysCAD Species Mapping.
- Edit SysCAD.93.db3 and configuration file if species are missing.
Once species mapping is satisfactory, add OLI unit models to the project where appropriate.

Utility

Generate SysCAD database from OLI Database File

Referenced File

The file that will be referenced by the SysCAD OLI Chemistry Model is the OLI Chemistry Model Database file created in OLI, e.g. NickelSpecies.dbs.

The "OLI Chemistry Model" (dbs file), can be generated using "OLI Chemistry Wizard" or "OLI Studio".

To generate an "OLI Chemistry Model" in OLI Studio perform the following steps:

Create a stream in a new project or for an existing OLI project (*.oad) file.
Select MSE or AQ databank.
On the Definition tab, add the components of interest.
Run an isothermal single point calculation.
If File Viewer tab is not visible, select menu Tools|Options. Then for Plug-Ins select the "OLI File Viewer" option and press OK.
On the File Viewer tab, for "File Type" select "Generated Model File". Push "Save File" button which will prompt to save a file with .dbs extension. This is the file required by SysCAD.

Notes:

This file is essential for the OLI Chemistry Model in SysCAD to function.
The file can be saved at any location - it does not have to be saved in the SysCAD project.