The HSC-Sim module consists of graphical flowsheet and spreadsheet type process unit models. The custom-made variable list makes it possible to create many different types of process models in chemistry, metallurgy, mineralogy, economics, etc. Each process unit is actually one Excel file. The HSC Add-In functions may be used to turn these independent calculation units into small HSC engines for thermodynamic applications.
The HSC-Sim module is divided to four calculation modes: Particles, Reaction, Distribution and Experimental mode. Particles mode is for calculation of inert particles in water with particle size distribution. Reactions mode is for models with chemical reactions. In the Distribution mode species are divided to elements and calculation is done with element distributions. The Experimental mode is for investigation of real process values.
The process model created using the HSC-Sim flowsheet module consists of one FLS file with a graphical flowsheet and one XLS file for each process unit. These process files are always saved in the same file folder. The XLS files contain the calculation model of the unit, and these XLS-models may be reused in the other processes.
The target in HSC-Sim development has been to create a simple but powerful simulation tool for the ordinary process engineer. If the user can use traditional HSC Chemistry and Excel software then he/she should be able to use the new HSC-Sim module too. The HSC-Sim module also has high quality and versatile graphics capabilities and visualization. For example, the HSC-Sim module has built-in "Sankey diagrams" to visualize the distribution of the elements and process variables.
The HSC approach to process simulation is quite different than traditional simulation software. This approach makes it possible to simulate nearly any type of process. The Sim module has been tested in real work at Outotec and it is used as a main simulation tool for mineralogical and hydrometallurgical mass balance simulations.
The user-specified variable list, Excel-type unit models and HSC Add-In functions make HSC- Sim an extremely flexible and easy to use simulation tool for a number of applications - in mineralogy, chemistry, biology, economics, etc.
The user-specified variable list, for example, makes it possible to handle some 10 000 different particles (variables) in the mineralogical process model and calculate the elemental compositions and other stream parameters automatically from the particle distributions.
The HSC installation CD does not contain unit model templates, because these may be created manually or using wizards with little effort. Of course large number of unit model images are enclosed, but users may also create their own unit model images easily using the Sim module.
The HSC-Sim module also contains other sub-modules besides the HSC-Sim Flowsheet module: however, "Sim Flowsheet.pdf" manual focuses only on the HSC-Sim Flowsheet module in reactions mode. Other calculation modes have own manuals. |
