EAU2831 Aspen Utitilies Planner

EAU2831
Aspen Utitilies Planner®:

Introduction to
Energy Optimization
AspenTech Customer Education

Training Manual
Course Number EAU2831.10.01

Copyright © 2018 by Aspen Technology, Inc. 20 Crosby Drive, Bedford,
Massachusetts 01730, USA. All rights reserved. This document may not be
reproduced or distributed in whole or part in any form or by any means without the prior
written permission of Aspen Technology, Inc.
The information contained herein is subject to change without notice, and Aspen
Technology assumes no responsibility for any typographical or other errors that may
appear.
Aspen Technology may provide information regarding possible future product

developments including new products, product features, product interfaces, integration,
design, architecture, etc. that may be represented as “product roadmaps.” Any such
information is for discussion purposes only and does not constitute a commitment by
Aspen Technology to do or deliver anything in these product roadmaps or otherwise.
Any such commitment must be explicitly set forth in a written contract between the
customer and Aspen Technology, executed by an authorized officer of each company.
Contents
Section Page
Introduction 1-1
What is Aspen Utilities? 2-1
Developing Utilities Flowsheet 3-1
Workshop #1: Build Simple Utilities Flowsheet 4-1
Expand and Complete the Flowsheet 5-1
Workshop #2: Expand the Utilities Flowsheet 6-1
Workshop #3: Complete the Utilities Flowsheet 7-1
Microsoft Excel Interface 8-1
Workshop #4: Link a model and run simulation through an Excel Interface file 9-1
Introduction to Data Reconciliation 10 - 1
Workshop #5: Run Data Reconciliation 11 - 1
Define Utilities Optimization Problem 12 - 1
Workshop #6: Configure the Optimization problem 13 - 1
Optimize the Flowsheet 14 - 1
Workshop #7: Run the Optimization problem through Excel Interface 15 - 1
Multi Period Optimization 16 - 1
Workshop #8: Run Multi Period Optimization 17 - 1
Additional Topics 18 - 1
Optimization Error Diagnostics 19 - 1
Transfer Data from Simulation to Aspen Utilities Planner 20 - 1
Introduction to Energy Optimization Using
Aspen Utilities Planner
Course Number EAU2831.10.01
Disclaimer
 Aspen Technology may provide information regarding possible future product developments including new
products, product features, product interfaces, integration, design, architecture, etc. that may be
represented as “product roadmaps.” Any such information is for discussion purposes only and does not
constitute a commitment by Aspen Technology to do or deliver anything in these product roadmaps or
otherwise. Any such commitment must be explicitly set forth in a written contract between the customer and
Aspen Technology, executed by an authorized officer of each company.
© 2018 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. 2
1-1
Introductions
Instructor Student
 Name • Name, company, and position

 AspenTech Experience • Process simulation experience
 Educational Background • Expectations for the course
 Industry Experience
 Other
Course Objectives
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
 Develop a utilities system flowsheet
 Minimize the total utilities operating cost by taking into account the economic, operational and environmental
constraints simultaneously
 Analyze and optimize the typical business processes in the energy management domain
1-2
Course Agenda - Day 1
 Introduction
 Develop Utilities Flowsheet
 Expand and Complete the Flowsheet
 Microsoft Excel Interface
 Introduction to Data Reconciliation
 Define Utilities Optimization Problem
Course Agenda - Day 2

 Optimize the Flowsheet
 Multi-period Optimization
 Additional Topics
 Optimization Error Diagnostics
 Transfer Simulation Data to Utilities Planner
1-3
Virtual Etiquette
 Inform instructor if you have:
– Technical issues
– To leave the course for a moment
 State your name when you speak
 Mute/turn off mobile devices
 Actively participate!
WebEx Tools
1-4
Complete the Course Evaluation—thank you!
You will receive an email with a link to the course evaluation, or you can fill out a hard copy provided by your
Instructor.
Complete the evaluation to download
your certificate!
AspenTech Contact Information

Web: http://support.aspentech.com
http://training.aspentech.com
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Phone: Regional and in-country toll-free numbers at http://support.aspentech.com/contacts
 Technical Support Hotline

 Training
 Customized Support Services
 Knowledge Base Solutions
 Product Patches
1-5
What is Aspen Utilities Planner?
Section Objectives
At the end of this section, you will be able to:
 Discuss the need for an energy management and optimization system
 Identify and explain the features and capabilities of Aspen Utilities Planner
 Recognize the benefits Aspen Utilities Planner provides for addressing typical energy management
business processes
Workshop: Build a simple flowsheet
2-1
What is Aspen Utilities?
 An equation oriented tool for Utilities System Simulation and Optimization, specially designed to address all
the business processes related to the operation and management of industrial energy and utility systems,
making all the pieces fit together
The Problem
 Many decisions to be made which take into account utility prices, equipment availability and constraints,
efficiency and utility demand
 It is an easy calculation under static conditions but harder when some or all of these factors are constantly
changing
2-2
The Problem
 Example: At what load How much natural gas
should I run the should I purchase?
boilers?
At what load should I

run the GTG?

run the STG?
What drives should I use for

the BFW pump?
What are Business Processes?

 Business processes are sets of tasks that are performed routinely to achieve well-defined business
objectives
 In most cases the tasks are repetitive and require the processing and manipulation of substantial
amounts of data
 The workflow required for a particular business process can usually be defined as a sequence of steps that
can be automated
 Different business processes may have different owners
 Optimizing the way the business process is carried out will yield economic benefits
2-3
Typical Energy Management Business Processes
Aspen Utilities Benefits: By Business Process (1)

 Demand Forecasting/Production Planning
– Fuel savings due to optimum loading of boilers to exploit differences in efficiency
– Reduced off gas flaring, steam venting
– Expand utility operation to include utility systems within production units
 Utilities Contract Evaluation

– Maximize benefits from negotiating ‘special conditions’ for utility contracts
– Further benefits if future deregulation offers wider choice of suppliers and tariffs
2-4
Aspen Utilities Benefits: By Business Process (2)
 Project Investment Evaluation
– Maximise ROI for energy saving projects. Minimise “regret” capital
 Performance Reporting, Monitoring and Trending

– Time saving for preparation of energy and CO2 reports
– Energy savings through more efficient operation and effective maintenance of equipment due to improved
performance monitoring
– Speedier identification and targeting of problem areas
– Optimum scheduling for maintenance
 Operations Optimisation
– Energy savings due to ability to re-establish optimum operation faster after changes in utility loads or plant upsets
 Utilities Contract Management

– Manage electricity load to reduce demand charges through peak shaving and shifting load from normal hours into off
peak hours
“Life-cycle” Energy Management with Aspen Utilities
Plan for the Future Operate Today Evaluate Past Performance

• Demand Forecasting • Performance Monitoring • Plan versus Actual
• Production Planning • Utilities Debottlenecking/ • Cost Accounting
Load Management
• Contract Evaluation • Reporting
• What if Analysis
• Investment Planning • Auditing
• Contract Management
• Trading
TOMORROW TODAY YESTERDAY
2-5
Aspen Utilities Description
- Key Features - - Structure -
• Modelling and Flowsheeting
- Drag and drop flowsheet build
- Expandable model library
- EO Rigorous Steady-state simulation
- Data validation and data reconciliation
- Inferential measurement
• Optimization
- MILP solver with multi-period Aspen Utilities provides the necessary technical features to
optimisation capability facilitate all energy management calculations. The structure of
- Offline decision making the system allows both online and offline usage and access to
all the relevant information
- Online decision support
2-6
Develop Utilities Flowsheet
Section Objectives
 Demonstrate how to access and navigate within the Aspen Utilities application.
 Discuss the different library blocks and streams available for building a flowsheet.
Workshop: Build a simple Utilities Flowsheet
3-1
The Aspen Utilities Environment
Simulation Run Button
Flowsheet area
Explorer
Pane
Default Properties file

loaded
Content of
Selected
Object
Models Message Window
Stream
icon
Component and Properties

Default List:
Water (H2O) is only available component
Fuel List :
has several components
By Default, there are two

component list Loaded:
Default, Fuel
3-2
Blocks and Streams
 A flowsheet is built :
– by selecting Blocks (Library Models)
– and by connecting them using Streams
 Note: activate the library toolbar from the View menu
Blocks (Library Models)
Streams
Stream Types
 Aspen Utilities can be used to model  Do not use the types “Connection” and
Water/Steam, Fuel, Power and Air networks. “ControlSignal”
 For this reason there are four types of streams:

– SteamStream (used to model water or steam)
– FuelStream
– PowerStream
– AirStream
3-3
Blocks, Ports and Streams (1)
 Streams are used to connect blocks to each other
 Streams can only be connected to blocks that have valid “Ports”
– Fuel streams require “Fuel Ports”
– Steam streams require “Steam Ports”
– Power streams require “Power Ports”
– Air streams require “Air Ports”
 Some blocks may have ports for all utility types, others may have only one type of port. For example:
– A boiler has air, fuel and steam ports
– A steam valve has only steam ports
 Single and Multi-Ports

– Single ports can be connected to only one stream
– Multi-ports can be connected to any number of streams
Blocks, Ports and Streams (2)

 When connecting streams to blocks, only the appropriate ports will be highlighted as available for
connection
 Multiple ports of the same type

– Some blocks may have more than one port of the same type but the port has a specific function and, therefore, it is
necessary to connect the stream to the correct port
– When a block is selected that has more than one port of the same type, a drop down selection is made available to
the user from which the correct port can be selected
3-4
Multiple Ports
 On a steam header there are three ports where Steam streams can be connected, but each port is for a
different purpose.
– The “Blowdown” port is used to connect steam condensate losses
– The “BlowSteam” port is used to connect a vent
– The “SteamOut1” port is used to connect an outlet steam stream
Main Model Types

 Simple Blocks
– Feed Blocks
– Demand Blocks
– Header Blocks
 Equipment Model Blocks

– Steam Turbine, Gas Turbine, Boiler, HRSG, Deaerator, etc.
3-5
Feed Blocks
 Feed blocks are used to specify a supply of utility. This may be purchased utility, e.g., natural gas or a
calculated supply of utility external to the model, e.g., steam generated from the process or fuel gas
generated by the process
 Only one port is available on each block, and therefore only one stream can be attached to each feed block
 Separate feed blocks used to specify feeds for

– Air
– Steam/Water
– Power
– Fuel
FeedSteam : Specifications (1)

 FeedSteam
– Need to specify temperature (Tout) and pressure (Pout)
– Mass flow may also need to be specified (more on DOF later)
3-6
FeedSteam : Specifications (2)
 Note, that by default the Steam flow is Fixed (i.e. specified)
 If we want it to be Free (i.e. calculated), we need to change the flag “SpecifySteamFlow” from True to False.
FeedPower: Specifications
 FeedPower
– Power flow may need to be specified (more on DOF later)
– No other specifications on the FeedPower block
3-7
FeedAir: Specifications
 FeedAir
– Need to specify temperature (Tout)
– Mass flow may also need to be specified (more on DOF later)
FeedFuel: Specifications (1)

 Fuel Feeds
– Specify Molecular weight (MW_out)
– Specify calorific value (CV_out), either LHV or HHV as long as it is consistent with the equipment efficiency
calculation.
– Specify Oxygen Demand (OD)
– Mass O2/Mass Fuel
– If emissions are being calculated, the Carbon Index (CI, mass CO2/mass of fuel) and Sulphur Index (SI, mass of
SOx/mass of fuel) also need to be specified
– Heat Flow (Flow) may need to be specified (more on DOF later)
Note: If we need to fix the flow of a fuel in Aspen Utilities, we

should fix the Heat Flow and not the Mass Flow. The reason for
this is that the LP optimizer, uses energy flows and not mass flows
for representing the fuel networks.
3-8

 Note, that if we change the Flag
“CalculatePropsFromComp” from No to Yes, the
list of fuel components is displayed and the user
can enter the fuel composition on mass basis
 Then the following fuel properties become Free

and are calculated:
– Molecular Weight
– Calorific Value
– Oxygen Demand
3-9
Demand Blocks
 Demand blocks are used to specify a demand for a utility. For example, demand for:
– HP steam from the process
– Fuel for the process
 Only one port is available on each block, therefore only one stream can be attached to each demand block
 Separate blocks used to specify demands for:

– air
– steam
– power
– fuel
Demand Blocks: Specifications (1)

 Steam Demand: Only the flowrate needs to be specified
– (SteamIn(SteamIn1”).F)
 Power Demand: Only the power demand needs to be specified

– (PowerIn(“PowerIn1”).Power)
 Air Demand: Only the air flowrate needs to be specified

– (AirIn(“AirIn1”).F)
 Fuel Demand: Only the heat flow need to be specified

– (FuelIn(“FuelIn1”).Flow)
3 - 10
Demand Blocks: Specifications (2)
 Similarly to the Feed Blocks, there is a Flag, (SpecifySteamDemand), which has a default value of True.
 It is possible to switch the demand flow from Fixed to Free, by setting this Flag to False.
Headers
 Four header models available
– Air_Mix
– FuelHeader
– PowerHeader
– SteamHeader
 The headers perform a mass and energy balance
3 - 11
Steam Header (1)
 Steam Header
– Used to model steam headers or where steam/water streams mix or split
– Required Specifications:
– Tout: The nominal temperature at which the header or mixer is operating
– Enthalpy imbalances go to losses
– Pout: The pressure at which the header or mixer is operating
– BDRatio : Blow down ratio, used to model condensate losses
– BlowSteam(“BlowSteam”).F : port for connecting steam vent, default value=0
Steam Header (2)
3 - 12
Steam Header (3)
 Change the “FixImbalanceFlow” Flag from False to True.
 This will switch the FImbalance variable from Free to Fixed. Leave its value to ZERO
Header Imbalance
 All types of headers (steam air, fuel, power) have an FImbalance variable.
 This variable is used when we do online data reconciliation, to calculate the difference between the meters
into, and the meters out from the header.
When building an offline model, the

FImbalance variables in All Headers should
be Fixed and their value should be ZERO
3 - 13
Other Headers
 Power Headers
– No specifications are required. The header will calculate the power balance around the header
 Fuel Headers
– No specifications are required
– The header will calculate the mixed CV of the fuels entering the header and use the CV for the streams leaving the
header
 Air_Mix
– No specifications are required
– The header will calculate an enthalpy balance and report temperature
– The header will also perform mass balance calculations on any emissions within the entering air streams
– Only has one outlet stream
Header Imbalance - Reminder
When building an offline model,

the FImbalance variables in all Headers (steam,
fuel, air, power) should be Fixed
and their value should be ZERO
3 - 14
The Boiler Model (1)
 Boiler model used to generate steam at a specified pressure
 Full rigorous heat and material balance
 Needs fuel supply, air supply and water supply
 Generates steam, flue gas and blowdown
 Efficiency can either set to a fixed efficiency or an efficiency curve can be entered
The Boiler Model (2)
blowdown
3 - 15
Boiler Specifications (1)
 To see boiler specifications: double click on the block
 Efficiency Method (EffMethod) can be set to Constant or LookupTable (to enter efficiency curve)
 Constant Efficiency (ConstEff) must be set if EffMethod is set to Constant. The default is 100%
 Blowdown rate (bd_rate). Default is 10%
 Oxygen in the flue gas (O2out). Default is 0.05 kg/kg

 Pressure drop in steam generator (Pdrop_Gen)
– Default is 0 bar
 Pressure drop in steam superheater (Pdrop_SH)

– Default is 0 bar
 Note: These pressure drop specifications are usually kept at the default values and the pressure of the
steam generated is set by the pressure of the BFW entering the boiler
 Steam outlet temperature (Tboiler)

– Default is 345 C
3 - 16
 If the LookUpTable is selected for the efficiency method, the efficiency curve is entered into the EffTable
 The number of points on the curve (NEff) can be altered. The default is 5
 Choose whether to extrapolate the curve. Default is yes
 The efficiency curve is in the form of Steam Generation Rate versus efficiency
– Steam Generation Rate entered in FlowTab(1)…FlowTab(n)
– Efficiency is entered in EffTab(1)…EffTab(n)
Boiler Specification: Summary Table
3 - 17
General Block Variables
 Typically, only the following variables are specified or viewed in results:
– Temperature
– Pressure
– Mass Flow (Fuel, Air or Steam)
– Heat Flow
– Power
 The global temperature in a block is always identified by variable Tout
 The global pressure in a block is identified by variable Pout
Variable Names in Blocks

 Usually take the form:
– PortName(“PortName1”).Variable
 Variables are:
– Power for power
– F for mass flow (except for fuels which is F_mass)
– T for temperature
– P for pressure
– h for enthalpy
– vf for vapour fraction
3 - 18
Variables and Degrees of Freedom (DOF) (1)
 Variables can be either “fixed” or “free”
– Fixed variables can be thought of as “input” variables
– Free variables are calculated from the fixed variables and the model equations
 Each block and stream has “typical” variables that need to be set or specified to configure the model
correctly, as well as typical result/calculated variables. These typical variables can be accessed by double-
clicking the block in the flowsheet
 In some cases, it is necessary to change the fixed/free specifications, but this must always be done with
great caution (degrees of freedom rules and other key requirements must be respected)
Variables and Degrees of Freedom (DOF) (2)

 Some “rules” for changing “fixed and frees”(Degrees of Freedom)
– Once two blocks are connected with a stream (e.g., a Feed and a Demand), one of the flows needs to be “freed” in
order to maintain the degrees of freedom
– Only port flows should be set to fixed
– Only exchange fixed and free variables between identical variable types, unless you have a clear understanding of the
implications of the change
– Stick to the default form (the one that appears when you double-click the block icon)
– Keep the flowsheet “square” as you build the flowsheet – do not connect all the blocks before you try to satisfy the
DOF. This can be achieved by trying to simulate the flowsheet after adding each block
– If all fails, try the Specification Analysis
3 - 19
Using Specification Analysis (1)
 Double click the Specification status to view the Analysis button
– Tip: Look at the Fixed tab : this is the list of variables for which the user has changed from default specification
Specification Analysis tool
Using Specification Analysis (2)

 Do not click Accept... Click Analyze then Reject until you set the pattern of problematic specifications
– Algorithm looks at mass and heat balances from mathematical point of view, not process engineering!
3 - 20
Is the flowsheet ready to be simulated?
 Four states may be reported:
Status Description
Complete: the number of variable is consistent with the number of equation. Run the
simulation!
Over specified problem: some fixed variable have to be “free” ( for example, flows
that can be calculated by the simulation and for default are instead fixed). Check for
them!
Under specified problem: more specifications are requested. Add them considering
guide lines given earlier!
Illegal: variables declared are not the right set of variables that can solve the
problem. Review specifications of the blocks!
Tip – Change Variable Table Display
Right click in grey area and select Properties

1. Use buttons to
select these
attributes:
2. Click OK
3. Resize columns
by dragging
title bar
3 - 21
Workshop - Build a simple flowsheet
 Build a flowsheet consisting of a steam header, boiler, steam demand and fuel header
Fluegas
Natural Gas Air
Boiler
VHPSteam
BFW
Blowdown
HP STEAM USE
Please refer to Workshop Instructions for details
3 - 22
Build Simple Utilities Flowsheet
Workshop
Files in folder ws01-simple
Objective
This objective of this workshop is to illustrate how to build a simple Utilities Flowsheet
using Aspen Utilities Planner.
This workshop includes the following tasks:
• Task 1 – Open the software

• Task 2 – Build the flowsheet
• Task 3 – Specify the simulation
• Task 4 – Run the simulation
• Task 5 – Verify the results
Task 1 - Open the Software

1. Open Aspen Utilities Planner V10. Go to Start|| Programs ||Aspen Tech|| Process
Modeling V10 || Aspen Utilities Planner|| Aspen Utilities Planner V10.
2. You can also open the application by searching Aspen Utilities Planner V10 in the
search area in start menu.
Task 2 - Build the Flowsheet

1. In View menu, activate the option Model libraries to view the library toolbar
4-1
You will use several of the Library models to build the flowsheet shown below.
2. Drag and Drop different library models to create the flowsheet. Following are
the list of blocks and their name:
Block name Category Model Description

HPHDR Headers SteamHeader HP steam header
GAS Headers FuelHeader Fuel gas header
NATGAS Feeds FeedFuel Fuel gas supply
BOILER Fuel Models Boiler Furnace and steam generator
BOILAIR Feeds FeedAir Air supply for combustion
MKUP Feeds FeedSteam Boiling Feed Water (BFW)
supply
HPUSE Demands DemandSteam Steam demand
3. Ensure all names are entered in BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERS

4. Connect the blocks using the appropriate stream type (steam, air, fuel) from the
model libraries icon.
4-2
Task 3 - Specify the Simulation
1. Enter the following specifications
Block Variable Description

HPHDR Tout = 300 C Header at 40 bar, steam at 300
Pout = 40 bar C
BOILAIR Tout = 25 C Air supply is at 25 C
NATGAS CVout = 50 GJ/tonne Calorific value of fuel gas
HPUSE SteamIn("SteamIn1").F = 130 tonne/hr steam demand
MKUP Pout = 40 bar BFW conditions
Tout = 100 C
BOILER ConstEff = 80 % Boiler, Constant Efficiency of
Tboiler = 300 C 80%, Steam out 300°C, 3%
bd_rate = 3 % Blowdown, O2 out = 0.05
O2out = 0.05 kg/kg kg/kg, pressure drop in
Pdrop_gen = 0 bar generator and superheater 0
Pdrop_SH = 0 bar Bar
2. In NATGAS feed, change SpecifyFuelFlow to False

3. In BOILAIR feed, change the SpecifyAirFlow value to False.
4. In MKUP feed, change the SpecifySteamFlow value to False.
5. In GAS heater, change FixImbalanceFlow to True and make sure the value of
FImbalanceheader is 0 GJ/hr
6. In HPHRD heater, change FixImbalanceFlow to True and make sure the value of
FImbalanceheader is 0 tonne/hr
7. Change the specification of StreamOut(“VHPStream”).F in the BOILER to

Free
4-3
Task 4 - Run the Simulation
1. Check that the simulation status is complete (green button on the status bar)
2. Run the simulation.
3. Save the file as WS1-solution.auf
Task 5 - Verify the Results

1. Check the results.
You should have the following results:
Quantity Value
Air Demand 184.7 tonne/hr
Fuel Demand 416 GJ/hr
BFW Demand 134 tonne/hr
Stack Temperature 454.5C
4-4
Expand and Complete the Flowsheet
Section Objectives
 Discuss additional Steam Models : the deaerator, flash drum, steam valve, desuperheater and pump
specifications in details
Workshop: Expand and complete the flowsheet
5-1
Deaerator
 Takes one or more water feeds but only one steam feed
 Outlet from block is one water stream at the same conditions as the deaerator and one vent stream (if
required)
 Specifications:
– Operating pressure (Pdeaer). Default is 1 bar
– Vent Ratio (VR). Default is 0.01
– Vent Ratio specified as:
– Vent Flow / (Steam Flow - Vent Flow)
Flash Drum (Stm_Flash)

 Takes one or more water feeds and performs a rigorous heat and mass balance
 Outlets from block are one water stream and one steam stream
 Specifications
– Operating Pressure (PFlash). Default is 1 bar
5-2
Steam Valve (Stm_Valve)
 Takes one water/steam feed and produces a steam/water stream at a lower pressure
 Specifications
– Outlet Pressure (Psout). Default is 1 bar
– Flow of the stream through the valve may need to be specified to maintain DOF
Desuperheater
 Takes one steam feed and one water feed and produces a steam stream at specified conditions
(temperature and pressure)
 Specifications
– Outlet Pressure (Psout). Default is 1 bar
– Outlet Temperature (Tsout). Default is 200 C
– One of the flows may need to be specified to maintain DOF
5-3
Pump
 Takes a water stream and generates a water stream at a higher pressure. The power required to pump the
water will be calculated
 Specifications
– Efficiency Method (EffMethod) can be set to Constant or LookupTable (to enter efficiency curve)
– Constant Efficiency (ConstEff) must to set if EffMethod is set to Constant. The default is 75%
– Outlet Pressure (Pout). Default is 100 bar
 Efficiency curves (standard volumetric flow versus efficiency) is entered on EffTable
Drive List
 Used to represent a number of motors/turbine drives that are used for a particular group of drives where
there is a choice of drives, e.g., BFW pumps, cooling tower pumps and so on
 Model takes in single steam feed and single power feed. The output from the model is steam at a specified
pressure and a power stream. The power stream can be linked to another block in the model, e.g., pump, or
can be linked to a power demand block
 The drive list makes the choice of mix of turbines and motors required to supply the power demand
5-4
Drive List: Specifications (1)
 Number of drives represented (NoDrives)
 For each drive:

– Drive Name (optional)
– Drive State (on/off)
– Drive Option (Turbine/Motor)
– Shaftwork
 As an alternative, the total shaftwork can be specified
 Outlet Pressure (Pout)
Drive List: Specifications (2)

 For each turbine, the efficiency of the turbine can be specified using coefficients in the
SteamFlow_Constants table
– Steam Flow = A + B * Shaftwork
 The efficiency of each motor can be specified in the Motor_Efficiencies table
5-5
Workshop
This working session is split into two parts
 Part 1
– Analyze the flowsheet on the next slide and decide which blocks from Aspen Utilities are required
to complete the flowsheet you started in workshop 1. There is a table to enter your answers. The
blocks you added in working session 1 have been completed
 Part 2
– Develop the flowsheet in Aspen Utilities using the supplied specifications and block names.
Remember to use BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERS when entering block names
 Do not move onto Part 2 until you have checked your answers to Part 1
Part 1: Flowsheet
Fluegas
Natural Gas Air
Boiler
VHPSteam
Blowdown
HP STEAM GEN
HP HEADER
HP STEAM USE
Letdown
VENT
LP STEAM GEN
LP HEADER
LP STEAM USE
Deaerator MAKE UP
BFW FOR WATER
BFW Pump
PROCESS
GENERATORS
5-6
Part 1: Identify the Block Type to be used(1)
EQUIPMENT BLOCK TYPE
Natural Gas Supply Fuel Feed
Natural Gas Header Fuel Header
HP Process Users Steam Demand
LP Process Users
HP Process Generators
LP Process Generators
Boiler Boiler
Deaerator
HP Header Steam Header
LP Header
Make-up Water Supply Steam Feed
Letdown Valve
Vent
Boiler Combusion Air Air Feed
Pump
BFW Splitter
BFW for Process Generators
Part 1: Aspen Utilities Block Name

 Start to build your flowsheet using the following block names and the block types you identified in
Part 1 of this working session
EQUIPMENT BLOCK NAME
Natural Gas Supply NATGAS
Natural Gas Header GAS
HP Process Users HPUSE
LP Process Users LPUSE
HP Process Generators HPGEN
LP Process Generators LPGEN
Deaerator DEAERATOR
HP Header HPHDR
LP Header LPHDR
Make-up Water Supply MKUP
Letdown Valve LETDOWN
Vent VENT
Boiler Combusion Air BOILAIR
Pump BFWPUMP
BFW Splitter BFWHDR
BFW for Process Generators BFWPROC
5-7
How the Flowsheet will Look in Aspen Utilities
Part 1: Specifications for Flowsheet (1)

 LP Header: 2 bar, 125 C
 Make up water: 1 bar, 25 C

– This is a change to the specifications made in Working Session 1
 HP Process Generation; 40 tonne/hr, 40 bar, 300 C
 LP Process Generation: 66 tonne/hr, 2 bar, 125 C
 LP Process Use: 60 tonne/hr
 HP Process Use: 130 tonne/hr
 BFW to process generators: 106 tonne/hr
5-8
Part 1: Specifications for Flowsheet (2)
 Deaerator operating pressure: 1 bar
 BFW Pump outlet pressure: 40 bar
 BFW Header: 40 bar, 100 C

– Hint: All BFW steams should be connected to SteamOut ports!
 Vent: 0 tonne/hr
– Hint: There is a special port within the steam headers for adding vent streams
 Letdown outlet pressure: 2 bar
Part 1: Summary
 Build your flowsheet
 Ensure you have a square problem
 Simulate the flowsheet
 What is the demand for make up water and steam in the deaerator?
 Save the file as WS2.auf
5-9
Part 2: Add more detail to the flowsheet
 20 tonne/hr of condensate at 1 bar and 70 C is recovered from the process and sent to the deaerator
– What type of block should be used to model this?
 In addition to the power demand for the BFW pump, there is an site power demand of 40 MW. Power is
imported from an external source
– How should this system be modelled?
 The BFW pump can be driven by either an electric motor or a turbine. The current operation uses a motor to
drive the pump. The turbine operates between the HP and LP headers. The turbine has a constant
efficiency and needs 37.5 tonne/hr of steam to generate one MW of power
– How should this system be modelled?
Part 2: Revise the Aspen Utilities Flowsheet (1)

 Revise the flowsheet you built as part of working session 2. Add the following block names:
SYSTEM ASPEN UTILITIES BLOCK NAMES

Recovered Condensate
Recovered condensate feed block COND
Power Demand and Supply

Site Power Demand SITEPOW
Power Supply GRID
Power Header POWERHDR
BFW Pump Drives

Motor/Turbine Drive PUMPDRV
5 - 10
Part 2: How the revised Flowsheet should look in Aspen Utilities

 Ensure you have a square problem
 Simulate the flowsheet
 Save the file as WS3.auf
5 - 11
 Note the new make-up water flow and steam to the deaerator
– Why are they different from the results in the last working session?
 Why is the site power demand different from the import power demand?
5 - 12
Expand the Utilities Flowsheet
Workshop
Files in folder: WS02-expand
Objective
The objective of this workshop is to become familiar with different blocks available in
utilities library such as deaerator, flash drum, steam valve, desuperheater and pump. We
will work on developing the flowsheet using these blocks.
• Task 1 – Open previously developed simulation file

• Task 2 – Expand the flowsheet
• Task 3 – Specify the flowsheet
Task 1 – Open previously developed Simulation File

1. Open the file you saved in earlier workshop or the starter file WS2-start.auf
6-1
Task 2 – Expand the Flowsheet
1. Add the following blocks to the flowsheet:
Block Name Description Model

LPUSE LP Process Users DemandSteam
HPGEN HP Process Generators FeedSteam
LPGEN LP Process Generators FeedSteam
DEARATOR Deaerator Deaerator
LPHDR LP Header Header
LETDOWN Letdown Valve Valve
VENT Vent DemandSteam
BFWPUMP Pump Pump
BFWHDR BFW Splitter SteamHeader
BFWPROC Process steam demand DemandSteam
2. Connect the streams. All outlet streams from steam and BFW headers are
SteamOut port, excepted Vent which should be connected on BlowSteam output
port.
6-2
Task 3 – Specify the Flowsheet
1. Enter the following specifications for the flowsheet:
Block Specifications
LP Header 2 Bar, 125 C
Make up water 1 Bar, 25 C
This is a change to the specifications made in the
previous workshop
HP Process Generation 40 tonne/hr, 40 Bar, 300 C
LP Process Generation 66 tonne/hr, 2 Bar, 125 C
LP Process Use 60 tonne/hr
HP Process Use 130 tonne/hr
BFW to process generators 106 tonne/h
Deaerator operating pressure 1 Bar
BFW Pump outlet pressure 40 Bar
BFW Header 40 Bar, 100 C
Vent 0 tonne/hr
Letdown outlet pressure 2 Bar
2. Set value of FixImbalanceFlow to True and specify it to value 0 for Steam

Header HPHDR
3. Set value of FixImbalanceFlow to True and specify it to value 0 for Steam
Header LPHDR
4. Set value of FixImbalanceFlow to True and specify it to value 0 for header
BFWHDR
Note: In general, of off-line applications, you should always set FixImbalanceFlow to

True for the header.
5. Change the specification of BlowStream(“BlowStream1”).F from fixed to free

on LPHDR
6. Make sure the simulation is fully specified (green square specification status)
7. Save the simulation as WS2-solution.auf
6-3
1. Check that the simulation status is complete (green button on the status bar)
2. Run the simulation.
3. Save the file as WS2-solution.auf
Note: If the simulation is not square, check the stream connectivity. Also make sure the
imbalances are fixed in header.
Task 5 - Verify the Results

1. Check the results.
Result Block Variable Value

Make up water demand MKUP SteamOut("SteamOut1").F 193.7 tonne/hr
Steam to the deaerator DEAERATOR SteamIn("SteamIn1").F 26.6 tonne/hr
6-4
Complete the Utilities Flowsheet
Workshop
Files in folder: ws03-complete
Objective
The objective of this workshop is to add some additional model blocks to expand the
previously developed flowsheet.
• Task 1 – Open the simulation file

• Task 2 – Complete the flowsheet by adding additional utility blocks
• Task 3 – Specify the simulation
Task 1 - Open the Simulation File

1. Open the file you saved in the previous workshop or open the starter file WS3-
start.auf
7-1
Task 2 – Complete the Flowsheet by adding the
following Utility Blocks
1. Add the following blocks
SYSTEM ASPEN UTILITIES BLOCK NAMES and TYPES

Recovered Condensate
Recovered condensate feed block COND (Feedsteam)
Power Demand and Supply

Site Power Demand SITEPOW ( DemandPower)
Power Supply GRID (FeedPower)
Power Header POWERHDR(PowerHeader)
BFW Pump Drives

Motor/Turbine Drive PUMPDRV (Drivelist)
7-2
Task 3 – Specify the Simulation
1. Enter the following specifications
Block Specifications
COND 20 tonne/hr of condensate at 1 Bar and 70 C is recovered from the
(FeedSteam) process and sent to the deaerator
SITEPOW site power demand of 40 MW
(DemandPower)
used to do the power balance
POWERHDR
(PowerHeader)
Set FiximbalanceFlow to True and specify it to value 0
Power is imported from an external source
GRID
(FeedPower) Change the SpecifyPower flag from True to False to free the power
flow.
Used to model the turbine and motor drives
Specify the NoDrives to 2.

Set DriveOption(1) to Turbine and DriveState(1) to Off.
PUMPDRV
Set DriveOption(2) to Motor and DriveState(2) to On.
(Drivelist)
Set Shaftwork(1) to Fixed and value to 0
Set EnableRecirculationWork to False.
This will Free Shaftwork(2).
Set the outlet pressure of the turbine Psout("SteamOut1") to 2 bar
7-3
2. Right click on PUMPDRV block, open the SteamFlow_Constants Table and set
SteamFlow_B(1) to 37.5 tonne/hr/
3. Make sure the simulation specification status is valid (green square)

4. Save the simulation as W3-solution.auf
7-4
1. Run the simulation
2. Check the following result:
Variable Value
Make-up water flow 173.6 tonne/hr
Steam demand at deaerator 25 tonne/hr
Note: The flows are lower compared to the previous workshop. This is due to the
recovered condensate going to the deaerator. It reduces the demand for make-up water.
Since the recovered condensate is hotter than make-up water it also reduces the demand
for steam to heat it.
7-5
Microsoft Excel Interface
Section Objectives
 Describe the Aspen Utilities Excel Addin
 Install the Aspen Utilities Excel Addin
 Link an Aspen Utilities model, send values to simulation, run simulation and view results through an Excel
Interface file
Workshop: Link a model and run simulation through an Excel Interface file
8-1
Link the Aspen Utilities flowsheet to Excel
 This will let you change inputs and view results from an Excel spreadsheet
 You should first fully configure the simulation in Aspen Utilities
Install the Aspen Utilities Excel Add-in (1)

 You need to do this only once on your computer
 To install the Add-Ins tab in your Excel window,

click "Customize Quick Access Toolbar"
 Select “More commands…”
8-2
Install the Aspen Utilities Excel Add-in (2)
 Click Add-Ins in the list of left side
 Select in Manage "Excel Add-ins" then click Go
 Browse to select Add-In file which is located in

C:\Program Files (x86)\AspenTech\Aspen
Utilities Planner V10.0\bin
Enable VBE (1)

 Excel, File, Options, Trust Center
– Click Trust Center Settings...
8-3
Enable VBE (2)
 Click Macro Settings, then check the option "Trust Access to the VBA project object model
 Click OK
Loading the Aspen Utilities Excel Add-in

 Start Excel as usual
1. Open Add-Ins tab
2. Click on Aspen Utilities
8-4
Open Aspen Utilities Planner model through Excel
 From Add-Ins tab, select “Aspen Utilities” and then “Open Aspen Utilities”
 Point to WS3.auf file, to link the excel file to the Aspen Utilities model
– Tip: check the status on the lower left corner of Excel to see when the simulation loading is complete
Show the Aspen Utilities model

 Once the .auf file is opened, the menu items are activated inside the “Aspen Utilities” menu
Click “Show Aspen Utilities” to make the

Aspen Utilities file visible.
8-5
Load Simulation Links tab (1)
 Click on “Simulate Flowsheet” and press Yes in the window below:

 When the window “Simulation Complete” shows up, press Ok
 The Simulation Links worksheet will have been created.
8-6
 Select “Load Simulation Links” in the “Simulation” menu
Use Simulation Links tab

 Simulation Links Loaded
Use this side of the menu bar

Use this side of the menu bar to set block and variable
to set block and variable names for data output
names for data input
Use this half to RETRIEVE data

Use this half to SUPPLY data from Aspen Utilities
to Aspen Utilities
8-7
Enter the Block name and Variable name
 Either to supply to or to retrieve data from Aspen Utilities:
– 1) In “Model Names” find the block name and press Enter;
– 2) Click on “Load Variables”;
– 3) Find the stream name in “Variable Name” and press Enter.
1 1
2 2
To supply data to To retrieve data from

Aspen Utilities Aspen Utilities
Get latest values

 Type the units using the same syntax used in Aspen Utilities
– If no units are defined, then the default units are used:
– Mass (tonne/hr), Power (MW), Energy (GJ/hr)
8-8
To Send Input Data to Simulation (1)
 Use the same approach in the left side of the Simulation Links sheet to send input data into your simulation.
– Only Fixed variables in the model can receive inputs from here.
– If a Fixed variable is not included in the left hand side, then it will keep its current value from simulation flowsheet.
 Once all data have been declared in the “Send Values to Aspen Utilities”, select "Send Values" from the
"Simulation" links, or click "Simulate Flowsheet" (send data, run, get results)
Workshop- Link a model and run simulation through an Excel Interface

file
 Use the Excel interface to view the results within the simulation developed in WS3.auf
 The flowsheet graphics have already been created within the interface file WS4_Interface_Start.xls
8-9
Link a model and run simulation through
an Excel Interface file
Workshop
Files in folder: ws04-excel
Objective
We will review how to use Aspen Utilities Planner with an Excel interface. You will
learn how to link and excel interface file to the flowsheet and how to enter simulation
data, run simulation and view results through the excel file
• Task 1 – Open the Excel interface file

• Task 2 – Open Aspen Utilities Planner file using Excel interface
• Task 3 – Add the Simulation Links worksheet in Excel
• Task 4 – Select the Variables in the Simulation Links worksheet
• Task 6 – Verify the results
Task 1 – Open the EXCEL Interface

1. Open the file WS4_Interface_Start.xlsx with Excel
Note: You could also start from a new worksheet. However, in the starter file a graphical
representation of the flowsheet has already been created using Excel drawing features.
9-1
Task 2 – Open AUP File using EXCEL Interface
1. On Excel ribbon, click Add-Ins tab, click Aspen Utilities then select Open
Aspen Utilities
2. Browse for the required file, WS4-start.auf, or the file you have created in the
previous workshop
3. Click Open to load the file in Aspen Utilities Planner
4. Once the file is opened, click Show Aspen Utilities in Aspen Utilities add-ins
menu
9-2
Note: You can see the status of the operations on the lower left corner of Excel interface.
Be patient and wait for Aspen Utitilies Planner to load the file. It starts as invisible
application, but you may hear a sound from the computer when the file is ready.
Task 3 – Add the Simulation Links worksheet in Excel

1. To load the simulation link in the Excel sheet, go to the Add-Ins tab on the Excel
Ribbon, select Aspen Utilities, Simulation, Load Simulation Links
2. When prompted to create the sheet, click Yes
The Simulation Links tab appears.
9-3
Task 4 – Add variables to the Simulation Links
worksheet
We want to select the following variables:
Inputs
Block Variable Value Units
HPGEN SteamOut("SteamOut1").F 40 tonne/hr
LPGEN SteamOut("SteamOut1").F 66 tonne/hr
HPUSE SteamIn("SteamIn1").F 130 tonne/hr
LPUSE SteamIn("SteamIn1").F 60 tonne/hr
BFWPROC SteamIn("SteamIn1").F 106 tonne/hr
Results
Block Variable Value Units
BOILER Ffuel Gj/hr
BOILER SteamOut("VHPSteam").F tonne/hr
COND SteamOut("SteamOut1").F tonne/hr
DEAERATOR SteamIn("SteamIn1").F tonne/hr
GRID PowerOut("PowerOut1").Power MW
HPGEN SteamOut("SteamOut1").F tonne/hr
HPUSE SteamIn("SteamIn1").F tonne/hr
LETDOWN SteamIn("SteamIn1").F tonne/hr
LPGEN SteamOut("SteamOut1").F tonne/hr
LPUSE SteamIn("SteamIn1").F tonne/hr
MKUP SteamOut("SteamOut1").F tonne/hr
PUMPDRV SteamIn("SteamIn1").F tonne/hr
SITEPOW PowerIn("PowerIn1").Power MW
9-4
VENT SteamIn("SteamIn1").F tonne/hr
BFWPUMP Power MW
BFWPROC SteamIn("SteamIn1").F tonne/hr
Note: Practice the selection of a few variables using the menu. You can also type the
name of block and variables, or copy/paste from a table. The complete list of variables to
select is provided on the sheet "list of variables".
1. First add the following model fixed variables on the left-hand side to send values
to Simulation
2. Select the block, then click Load Variables, then select the variable
3. Repeat to add the calculated model variables on the right-hand side to retrieve
values from Simulation
Task 5 – Run the simulation

4. Go to the Aspen Utilities add-ins menu, select Simulate Flowsheet
You will notice the simulation results have been loaded on the right side:
9-5
Task 6 – Verify the Results
To facilitate the presentation of results, and the checking, you can use Excel to display
the data in the way you like (e.g. to replicate plant information data system figures).
1. Click the Flowsheet tab in the interface file, select the cell where you want to
display a specific value
2. Press "=" in Excel formula bar
3. Select the appropriate cell in the Simulation Links worksheet, press enter
9-6
5. Save the Excel file as WS4_Interface_Answer.xlsx
9-7
Introduction to Data Reconciliation
Section Objectives
 Describe data reconciliation
 How to configure and run data reconciliation via the Excel Interface
Workshop: Run Data Reconciliation
10 - 1
Data Reconciliation Overview
Measured
Plant Model Data
Data
Reconciliation
Thermo-
dynamics Statistic
Accurate and Reliable

Information
What is data reconciliation ? (1)

 Example: Shell and Tube heat exchanger
Measured data:
Fluid 1: Tin1 = 20 C, Tout1 = 25 C, Flow1 = 30 kg/s
Fluid 2: Tin2 = 130 C, Tout2 = 40C, Flow2 = 7.5 kg/s
Area = 100 m2, Cp1 = 4.18 kJ/kg/s, Cp2 = 1.02kJ/kg/s
10 - 2
What is data reconciliation? (2)
 Let’s apply heat exchanger design equation and heat balance
 We can see the results are quite different depending on which data we actually use...
Trusted measurements Results

Tin1,Flow1, Tin2, Tout2,Flow2 Tout1 = 25.49 C, U = 135 W/m2/K, Q = 689kW
Tout1,Flow1, Tin2, Tout2,Flow2 Tin1 = 19.51 C, U = 133 W/m2.K,Q = 689kW
Tin1,Tout1,Tin2, Tout2, Flow2 Flow1 = 32.95 kg/s, U = 134 W/m2/K,Q = 689kW
Tin1, Tout1, Flow1,Tin2, Flow2 Tout2 = 48.07 C, U = 108 W/m2.K,Q = 627kW
Tin1, Tout1, Flow1,Tout2, Flow2 Tin2 = 121.93 C, U = 129 W/m2.K,Q = 627kW
Tin1, Tout1, Flow1,Tin2, Tout2 Flow2 = 6.83 kg/s, U = 122 W/m2.K,Q = 627kW
Importance of Data Reconciliation

 Derive Accurate and Reliable Information that describes the actual plant operation
 Provides consistent and reliable information
 Unmeasured parameters are estimated
 Identify erroneous measurements
 Locate inaccurate instruments
 Find model errors
 Optimize instrumentation system
10 - 3
Data Reconciliation Goal
 Goal : Minimize the total deviation of model predictions from plant data
 Procedure to set up a reconciliation

– Select variables to be reconciled
– Select variables measured
– Set the “quality” of the measurement via weighting factor
Least Square Data Reconciliation

 Minimizes the square of deviation between the reconciled variable and the measured variable
 
~
n
min  X m ,i  X i *Wi Method Weight
i 1
Confidence confidence
X m ,i Measured variable
~ Variance 1/(variance * estimate)
Xi Reconciled Variable
wi weights (see next slide) Relative sqrt(relative / estimate)
n number of measured variables
10 - 4
Confidence vs. Variance Weighting
 Weights in variance method is inversely proportional to measured variable
 Weights in confidence method is independent of measured variable
 Qualitative vs. quantitative approach to weights
 Relative vs. absolute error

– Pressure gauge has relative error but a thermocouple has an absolute error
Demonstration: Setting up Data Reconciliation against Plant Data

 Carry out data reconciliation for WS1.auf
420 GJ/hr
Assume the following Real time plant
efficiency?
measurements have been obtained from
the site data historian:
• Natural gas : 420 GJ/hr 135 tonne/hr
• Boiler steam generation : 135 tonne/hr
• HP steam use : 130 tonne/hr
losses?
130 tonne/hr
Objective is to:
 reconcile the flowsheet against the plant data,
 estimate the actual boiler efficiency and
 estimate the steam distribution losses
10 - 5
How to configure and run reconciliation
 Open the WS1.auf file with AUP
 Open a new (empty) MS Excel file, and link it to WS1.auf model
 Use the Aspen Utilities menu to activate reconciliation:
Select Load Reconciliation
The Data Reconciliation worksheet
Use the menu bar to select Set the reconciliation

block and variable names method to Relative
(Similar to Simulation Links)
Make sure to use the correct toolbar to

select the variables (do not use the Input Measured Input Appropriate
"Simulation Link" toolbar") Values Weights
10 - 6
Add the measured and estimated variables
 Use the Menu bar to add the following measured and estimated variables
Model
Variable Name Description Units Estimate Relative
Name
NATGAS FuelOut("FuelOut1").F Fuel heat flow GJ/hr 420 1000
BOILER SteamOut("VHPSteam").F Steam flow tonne/hr 135 1000
HPUSE SteamIn("SteamIn1").F Steam flow tonne/hr 130 1000
BOILER ConstEff Fixed efficiency % 80 0.001
HPHDR FImbalance Imbalance flow tonne/hr 0 0.001
Assign high weights (1000) to the measured variables

Assign low weighs (0.001) to the estimated variables
Run Reconciliation
10 - 7
View reconciled results
 Close match between measured variables in the reconciled results
 Model has calculated the actual boiler efficiency (82%) and the steam losses (4.9 t/h)
Reconciled Inputs
Enter a different set of plant data and rerun reconciliation

 Note that the new measurements have been matched again in the reconciled results
 Note also that the model has recalculated the actual boiler efficiency and the steam losses
Reconciled Inputs
10 - 8
Workshop - Run Data Reconciliation
 The previous slides in this presentation have covered the "follow-me" workshop
10 - 9
Run Data Reconciliation
Workshop
Files in folder: ws05-reconciliation
Objective
This simple exercise illustrates the usage of data reconciliation in Aspen Utilities Planner.
Refer to the slides for instructions.
11 - 1
Define Utilities Optimization Problem using Data
Editors
Section Objectives
 Define the optimization problem
 Install blank databases to specify a new problem
 Use the Data Editors to set up the optimization problem
Workshop: Configure the Optimization problem
12 - 1
Defining the Optimization Problem
 The purpose of the optimization is to minimize the cost of operation, while meeting the demands and feeds
constraints, and taking in account the availability of the equipment
 To define the Optimization problem we need to set :

– The objective function of the Optimization
– This means defining prices for the various purchase/selling utilities
– The Optimization constraints
– This means fixing flows that cannot be changed and giving ranges to other variables that can change
– E.g. minimum and maximum HP steam supply to high pressure header, specific value for LP steam, take
specify flow of LP steam generated by other units, etc
– Equipments may be turned on/off
– E.g. the HRSG must be off if the GTG is off, is it better to turn on the old inefficient boiler K123 or get more
power from the grid?
Optimization Problem
At what load How much natural gas
should I run the should I purchase?
boilers?

run the GTG?

run the STG?
What drives should I use for

the BFW pump?
 Many decisions to be made which take into account utility prices, equipment availability and constraints, efficiency and utility
demand
 It is an easy calculation under static conditions but harder when some or all of these factors are constantly changing
12 - 2
Optimization Workflow with Aspen Utilities Planner
Optimization Data Input

Outputs
Budgets/
Utilities
Linearized Forecasts
Data Entry Contract Data
View Results
Optimization
through Model
standard Equipment Investment Configured
Availability & Evaluation
Aspen Utilities Constraints Excel
Editors Rigorous
Interface File
Simulation Utility
(or Excel) Demand Model Consumption
Forecasting Planning
Enter the Optimization Simulation model already

Inputs data created
Entering Inputs to Optimization

 Use the Editors to configure and view optimization databases
– Tip: Run the simulation before trying to open the Editors...
Click Configure on Editor

menu bar to view or modify
the location of the Aspen
Utilities databases
Data may also be modified
in the Excel interface
Tariff Editor
Profile Editor
12 - 3
Data Editor – Databases Location
 Default locations:  It is possible to point to different locations by
– C:\ProgramData\AspenTech\Aspen Utilities Planner using the Browse button
V10.0\Example Databases – During this course we will use the default locations
– This path contains the 4 mdb files:
– ProfileData.mdb
– DemandData.mdb
– TariffData.mdb
– Interface.mdb
– C:\ProgramData\AspenTech\Aspen Utilities Planner
V10.0
– This path contains the optimization files
– Aspenutils.mos
– CustomConstraints.mos
Blank Databases
 To create a new optimization problem, you should copy the 4 database files from the folder
C:\ProgramData\AspenTech\Aspen Utilities Planner V10.0\Template Databases
 To the location you select in the Configure window
 For this training, we will use the folder
C:\ProgramData\AspenTech\Aspen Utilities Planner V10.0\Example Databases
12 - 4
Profile Data Editor - Demand Profile
 The Demand Profile consists of all utility demands and supplies of the process units
 The demands are usually associated with either a feed or demand block (steam, fuel or power)
 Specify the requirement of utilities (i.e., demands for steam/ fuel/power)

– Usually relate to process demand or supply of steam/power/ fuel
– To specify fixed flows (usual), enter the same minimum and maximum flows (pinched flow)
– To specify the optimizer may vary the flows within a range, enter the appropriate min and max bounds
 The Demand Profile is stored in the Access Database ProfileData.mbd
Profile Editor – Demand Profile Data input (1)
2. Press Update
1. Profile tab
3. Select profile to update
and press Ok
12 - 5
 Select blocks and ports for demand and/or availability profile
3. Press Add
1. Select the block

4. New profile
will be created
2. Select the stream
5. Press Configure
1. Edit legend
2. Select Units of
Measurement and press OK
Right-click to Add new areas

(Areas are used only for sorting data on display)
12 - 6
After configuring the complete list of demands,

remember to Save the Demand Profile
1. HPUSE.StreamIn1 demand 2. Min and Max values of

is showed demands can be entered here
Profile Data Editor - Availability Profile

 Availability Profiles allow user to set:
– Availability of pieces of equipment
– Limits on capacity of pieces of equipment (Min and Max values)
 Availability is specified as follows:

– Available
– This item of equipment is available for use if it is economical to do so. It need not necessarily be used
– Not Available
– This item of equipment is not available, e.g., it is down for maintenance
– Must be on
– This item of equipment must be used even if it is uneconomic to do so
 The Availability Profile is stored in the Access Database ProfileData.mbd
12 - 7
Profile Editor – Availability Profile Data input (1)
2. Press Update
1. Profile tab
3. Select profile to update
and press Ok
1. Select the block
4. New profile is going to be

created!
2. Select the port 3. Press Add

5. Press Configure
12 - 8
 Three options:
– Availability: the optimizer can choose to use the equipment or not, depending on the cost
– Must be on: the equipment must be kept on
– Not available: the equipment is not available
1. Description for each availability 2. Min and Max values and

Item has been added hear availabilities can be entered here
Profile Editor – Availability Profile Save
After configuring the complete list of availabilities,

remember to Save the Availability Profile
12 - 9
Tariff Data Editor – Overview
 The Tariff Editor is used to enter the CONTRACT and PRICE information for each purchased or sold utility.
 Tariff data is stored in the Access Database TariffData.mbd
 Tariff structure:
– Contracts
– Tiers
Tariff tab
Tariff Data Editor - Utility Contracts

 Utility contracts need to be ‘modelled’ in Aspen Utilities
 A contract has to be broken down into a ‘language’ that Aspen Utilities understands. In simple terms this is:
– Variable Cost ($/GJ, $/MWh etc.)
– Fixed Cost
– Usage Limits: Minimum and Maximum
– Rate Limits: Minimum and Maximum
 See on-line help for further information on other options
12 - 10
Tariff Data Editor - Modelling Contracts
 A contract can be associated with any port on any block
 Typically they are associated with:

– Steam Feed, Power Feed and Fuel Feed blocks if they are a ‘buy’ contract
– Steam Demand, Power Demand and Fuel Demand blocks if they are a ‘sell’ contract
 Typically, use one block per contract

– Therefore, if you have two separate natural gas contracts, model these as two separate fuel feed blocks
 Each contract must have at least one tier
 For a contract with multiple tiers, model as one contract (therefore one block) with multiple tiers
Tariff Data Editor – Adding contracts (1)

 In order to add a new contract, we will first need to add in the editors the blocks and ports to which the
contract refers to
1. Update
2. Cost Profile and OK
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1. Select the block
3. Press Add
2. Select the port

4. Configure

 Information on the contracts are entered using the Tariff Data Editor
Press Add and then Contract to add a new

contract first
or right click the Contract or Tier pane
Type in, details for

the new contract
Since each contract must have at least one tier, add tier(s)
immediately after adding the contract
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Tariff Data Editor – Contract Parameters
Parameter Description
ContractID Reference name for Contract (Maximum 8 characters)
Block Name of flowsheet block with which contract is associated
Port Port of named block associated with contract
Buy/Sell Whether this is a buy or sell contract
Utility Type Steam, Fuel or Elec (Power)
Use Forecast Whether the cost calculation should make use of forecast and used to date amounts (often required for usage based contracts)
Used To Date Record of utility already consumed within the contract period
Forecast Forecast of future utility consumption within contract period
Do Peak Existence of a charge on peak consumption (e.g., a capacity charge)
Peak Price
The price charged on peak consumption
Old Peak
Previously set capacity (optimization only costs peaks in excess of this value)
Disabled Whether or not the contract is disabled (i.e., not active)
Tier Control Whether tier boundaries are defined by rate or usage limits
Unit The unit of measure in which data is provided
Tariff Data Editor – Tier Parameters
Parameter Description
Tier ID Unique reference/name for Tier (Maximum 8 characters)
Variable Cost Variable cost of tier (multiplied by usage/rate to get actual cost)
Fixed Cost Fixed cost Incurred once contract is used/active
For Usage-Based Tiers
Min Usage Minimum usage for tier
Max Usage Maximum usage for tier
For Rate-Based Tiers
Min Rate Minimum rate for tier
Max Rate Maximum rate for tier
Priority Order in which tiers must be consumed (0 = no particular order).The lower the number the higher the priority.
Time Dependent Whether the variable cost is time dependent or not
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Tariff Data Editor – Save Contracts
When all edits/additions have been made, click Save, to save the tariff data
When Demand, Availability and Tariff data is complete and

saved, press Commit to create the Input to the optimizer. This
updates the Interface.mdb file
Workshop : Configure Optimization Input

 In this workshop, you will specify the inputs in terms of utility demands, equipment availability and contract
 The objective is to learn how to configure the optimization input data.
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Workshop - Configure the Optimization problem
 You should copy from the Template Databases folder the following files:
– Interface.mdb
– ProfileData.mdb
– DemandData.mdb
– TariffData.mdb
 into the default path location:

– C:\ProgramData\AspenTech\Aspen Utilities Planner V10.0\Example Databases
 Note: C:\ProgramData is typically a hidden folder, so type the path C:\ProgramData in the Explorer address
bar then use the Explorer to browse to the appropriate folders
Task: Review the Model

 Open the Aspen Utilities file WS6.auf
 Take a look at the changes that have been made to the flowsheet
– Gas Turbine and Heat Recovery Steam Generator have been added
– Take a look at how the Gas Turbine has been specified
– A condensing STG has been added. The condensate is pumped to the deaerator
– A new fuel, butane, was added to the flowsheet. This fuel can only be used in the boiler
12 - 15
Task: Enter Demands
 Using the Profiles Data Editor, configure the following utility demands:
– HP Generation 40 tonne/hr
– HP Use 130 tonne/hr
– LP Generation 66 tonne/hr
– LP Use 60 tonne/hr
– Site Power Demand 40 MW
– Recovered Condensate 20 tonne/hr
– Process BFW Demand 106 tonne/hr
 First you need to configure in the Demand Profile the corresponding Blocks and Ports
 Once finished, remember to Save the Demand profile
Task: Enter Availabilities

 Using the Profiles Data Editor, configure the availability profile to include the as following items:
– Boiler Availability
– Boiler Steam Generation Capacity
– GTG Availability
– GTG Power Generation Capacity
– STG Availability
– STG Power Generation Capacity
– HRSG Availability
– HRSG Fuel Capacity
 Once finished, remember to Save the Availability profile
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Task: Add Contracts (1)
 Using the Update window, configure in the Cost profile the following Blocks and Ports to be linked to the
contracts:
– NATGAS.FuelOut1 (natural gas contract)

– GRID.PowerOut1 (electricity import contract)
– BUTANE.FuelOut1 (butane contract)

 Add a Natural gas contract
– Contract ID: NaturalGas
– Block: NATGAS, Port: FuelOut1, Buy, Type:Fuel
– No Forecast, No Peak
– Tier Control: By Rate, Unit: GJ
– Tier ID: Tier1
– Variable Cost: 1.5 $/GJ
– No Limits so put a very large number on Max Rate (999999)
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 Add electricity contract
– Contract ID: Power
– Block: GRID, Port: PowerOut1, Buy, Type:Elec
– No forecast, No peak
– Tier Control: By Rate, Unit: MWh
– Tier ID: PowerImp
– Variable Cost: 35 $/MWh

 Add a butane contract
– Contract ID: Butane
– Block: BUTANE, Port: FuelOut1, Buy, Type:Fuel
– No Forecast, No Peak
– Tier Control: By Rate, Unit :GJ
– Tier ID: Butane
– Variable Cost: 6 $/GJ
 When you have added all the contracts, click Save to save the tariff information
 At the very end remember to press Commit, to submit all inputs to the optimizer
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Configure the Optimization problem
Workshop
Files in folder: ws06-configure
Objective
In this workshop, you will configure the inputs to optimization in terms of utility
demands, equipment availability and contracts.
The objective is to learn how to configure the optimization input data.
• Task 1 – Update the databanks

• Task 2 – Open the simulation file
• Task 3 – Enter demand profiles
• Task 4 – Enter availability profiles
• Task 5 – Enter Cost profiles
• Task 6 – Enter Tariff
Task 1 - Update the databanks

1. Copy the template databases from the folder C:\ProgramData\AspenTech\Aspen
Utilities Planner V10.0\Template Databases
o Interface.mdb
o ProfileData.mdb
o DemandData.mdb
o TariffData.mdb
2. Paste the files into the default path where Aspen Utilities will look for them:
C:\ProgramData\AspenTech\Aspen Utilities Planner V10.0\Example Databases
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1. From the workshop folder, Open Aspen Utilities Planner file: WS6-start.auf.
2. Inspect the changes made to the flowsheet
The changes are:

• A Gas Turbine and Heat Recovery Steam Generator have been added.
• A condensing steam turbine STG has been added. The condensate is sent to the
deaerator.
• A new fuel, butane, was added to the flowsheet. This fuel can only be used in the
boiler
The next page provides all data for the optimization definition.
13 - 2
Demands Profile
Block Variable Legend Area Min Max Units
BFWPROC SteamIn1 Process BFW Area3 106 106 tonne/hr
Demand
COND SteamOut1 Recovered Area2 20 20 tonne/hr
Condensate
HPGEN SteamOut1 HP Process Steam Area2 40 40 tonne/hr
Generation
HPUSE SteamIn1 HP Steam use Area2 130 130 tonne/hr
LPGEN SteamOut1 LP Process Steam Area3 66 66 tonne/hr
Generation
LPUSE SteamIn1 LP Steam Use Area3 60 60 tonne/hr
SITEPOW PowerIn1 Site Power Demand Area2 40 40 MW(e)
Availability Profile
Block Variable Legend Min Max Units Area
BOILER OnOff Boiler Availability Available area1
BOILER VHPSteam Boiler Steam 20 200 tonne/hr area1
Generation
GTG OnOff GTG Availability Available area1
GTG PowerOut1 GTG Power generation 5 20 MW(e) area1
HRSG Fuel HRSG Supplementary 0 180 GJ/hr area1
Firing
HRSG OnOff HRSG Availability Available area1
STG OnOff STG Availability Available area1
STG PowerOut1 STG Power Generation 0 10 MW(e) area1
Cost Profile
Block Variable
GRID PowerOut1
NATGAS FuelOut1
BUTANE FuelOut1
Tariff Data
Contract ID Block Port Buy/Sell Utility Type
Natural Gas NATGAS FuelOut1 Buy Fuel
Power GRID PowerOut1 Buy Elec
Butane BUTANE FuelOut1 Buy Fuel
Contract Tier ID Variable Fixed Min Rate Max Rate Priority

ID Cost Cost
NaturalGas Tier1 1.5 0 0 999999 1
Power PowerImp 35 0 0 999999 1
Butane Butane 6 0 0 9999 1
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Task 3 – Enter Demand Profiles
We will now open the data editors from within Aspen Utilities Planner.
1. Click Run to run the calculations (this will speed up the next step)
2. Select in the Optimization menu, Editors
3. Click Update and then select Demand Profile
4. Select Block and Port Name and press Add for each demand
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Description Value Block Variable
HP Generation 40 tonnes/hr HPGEN SteamOut1
HP Use 130 tonnes/hr HPUSE SteamIn1
LP Generation 66 tonnes/hr LPGEN SteamOut1
LP Use 60 tonnes/hr LPUSE SteamIn1
Site Power Demand 40 MW(e) SITEPOW PowerIn1
Recovered Condensate 20 tonnes/hr COND SteamOut1
Process BFW Demand 106 tonnes/hr BFWPROC SteamIn1
5. Press Configure
6. For each Demand, edit the Legend field (optional) and select Assigned area (you
can edit the area name by clicking on Edit). Also specify the units of
measurement.
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7. Provide MIN and MAX values on the right side and make sure you Save the
Demand profile.
8. Click Save
Task 4 – Enter Availability Profiles

The Availability Profile allows user to set:
• Availability of pieces of equipment
• Limits on capacity of pieces of equipment (Min and Max values)
Availability may be specified as follows:

Option Description
Available This item of equipment is available for use if it is economical to do so. It
need not necessarily be used
Not This item of equipment is not available, e.g., it is down for maintenance
Available
Must be on This item of equipment must be used even if it is uneconomic to do so
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1. Click on Update and then select Availability Profile
2. Select Block and Port Name and press Add

3. Once you have selected all the variables, click Configure
The complete list of Availabilities is shown below
Availability Profile
Block Variable Legend Min Max Units Area
BOILER OnOff Boiler Availability Available area1
BOILER VHPSteam Boiler Steam 20 200 tonne/hr area1
Generation
GTG OnOff GTG Availability Available area1
GTG PowerOut1 GTG Power generation 5 20 MW(e) area1
HRSG Fuel HRSG Supplementary 0 180 GJ/hr area1
Firing
HRSG OnOff HRSG Availability Available area1
STG OnOff STG Availability Available area1
STG PowerOut1 STG Power Generation 0 10 MW(e) area1
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4. Click Save to save the Availability profile.
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Task 5 – Enter Cost Profiles
We will follow the same procedure in updating the cost profiles.
1. Click on Update and then select Cost Profile
2. Select Block and Port Name and press Add

3. When you have added all variables, click Configure to complete (you may edit
the legend. Select area1 for all variables)
Block Variable
GRID PowerOut1
NATGAS FuelOut1
BUTANE FuelOut1
4. Click Save
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Task 6 – Enter Tariff
1. Click the Tariff menu bar on the data editors and add a contract for each of the
above utilities
2. For each Utility, first add the Contract
3. Then add the Tier
Tariff Data
Contract ID Block Port Buy/Sell Utility Type
Natural Gas NATGAS FuelOut1 Buy Fuel
Power GRID PowerOut1 Buy Elec
Butane BUTANE FuelOut1 Buy Fuel
Contract Tier ID Variable Fixed Min Rate Max Rate Priority

ID Cost Cost
NaturalGas Tier1 1.5 0 0 999999 1
Power PowerImp 35 0 0 999999 1
Butane Butane 6 0 0 9999 1
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4. When you have added all the contracts, click on Save to save the Tariff database
5. Click Commit to send all the prepared data (Demands, Availabilities and Tariff)
into the optimizer
6. Click Apply
This will update the Interface.mdb file with inputs for optimization
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Optimize the Flowsheet
Section Objectives
 Run the optimization problem
Workshop: Run the Optimization problem through Excel Interface
14 - 1
Excel…So far
We have:
SIMULATION In Aspen Utilities
• Built the flowsheet
• Simulated the flowsheet
Planner
• Viewed results
We have:
• Linked the flowsheet to Excel
• Loaded Simulation Links
In Excel • Entered simulation input values
Interface • Run simulation
• Viewed results
Run Optimization from Excel Interface

 Now we can also enter Optimization inputs, run Optimization and view Optimization results from the Excel
Interface file
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Excel – Loading the editors (1)
 Once you have opened your simulation in Excel Interface: Optimization  Editors to load the editors
Excel Interface – Loading the editors (1)

 When you press Optimization  Editors, three new worksheets are automatically created and populated
with the optimization input information
 Press Yes for each of them
14 - 3
Excel – Loading the editors (3)
New worksheets have been created!
Excel – Availability Worksheet
 You can review in the Availability worksheet:

• equipment availability
• min and max values for flows previously entered
in the editors through Aspen Utilities.
Min and Max values become

constraints for the optimizer
14 - 4
Excel – Demand Worksheet
 In the Demand worksheet you can review:

• demands previously entered in the editors through
Aspen Utilities.
Excel – Run the Optimization (1)

 Once you have viewed/edited the optimization
input information in the editors worksheets press:
– AddIn  Aspen Utilities  Optimize Flowsheet
– In the “Select periods to run” select the starting and
ending period.
– Pressing OK the Optimization will run.
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Excel – Run the Optimization (2)
1. Wait for “Optimization Complete”
2. Press Close
Excel – Energy Cost Summary Worksheet
 In the Energy Cost Summary worksheet: Output: Optimized

Input: Utility Prices
• information about contracts and tiers previously Utility Usage
entered in the editors through Aspen Utilities
• Results of the optimization
Input: Utility Min/Max

limits
You can also view the optimization results in:

• Simulation links in Excel
• Editors worksheets in Excel Output: Minimum Total
• Aspen Utilities Planner graphical user interface Energy Cost
14 - 6
Marginal Utility Cost At Optimal Solution (1)
 To obtain the marginal cost of utility headers (e.g., steam header, fuel header, etc.) at the optimal
solution:
– Click Optimization | Edit Optimization Settings to display the Optimization Settings dialog box.
– Select the Calculate marginal utility costs option
Marginal Utility Cost At Optimal Solution (2)

 To select which headers are to be included in the marginal cost calculation.
– Double click header to display the Summary table
– Set IncludeMarginalCost parameter to True
– Repeat those steps until all desired headers are specified.
– Run the optimization.
– When the optimization completes the marginal cost of header is reported in the variable MarginalCost in the
summary table of the header model.
14 - 7
Workshop - Run the Optimization problem through Excel Interface
 In this workshop, you will enter contract information, utility demands and equipment availability through
Excel Interface
 The objective is to show how the Excel Interface can be used to modify demand, availability and cost
information, run optimization and view optimization results
14 - 8
Run the Optimization problem through
Excel Interface
Workshop
Files in folder: ws07-optimize
Objective
The objective of this workshop is to learn how to configure the Excel interface to enter
optimization inputs, run optimization and view optimization results.
• Task 1 – Open the Excel Interface file and open Simulation file
• Task 2 – Create optimization input forms in Excel Interface file
• Task 3 – Edit the optimization inputs, run optimization and view results.
• Task 4 – Run different optimization cases and compare the results
Task 1 – Open Excel Interface file and open Simulation

file
We will work with the complete version of the flowsheet we have been developing (see
flowsheet)
1. Open the Interface file WS7_Interface_Start.xlsx

2. Go to the Add-ins tab on Excel Ribbon, then in Aspen Utilities menu, click to
Open Aspen Utilities and select the file WS7-start.auf
3. Wait for the file to open, then select Show Aspen Utilities
15 - 1
Task 2 – Create optimization input forms in the Excel
Interface file
1. Go to Addin -> Aspen Utilities -> Optimization->Editors
2. Click Yes, to create the optimization inputs worksheets
15 - 2
Task 3 – Edit the optimization inputs, run optimization
and view results.
1. Edit the inputs in the three worksheets, as follows:
15 - 3
2. Go to Add-Ins tab of Excel Ribbon, Aspen Utilities, select Optimise Flowsheet
3. In the “Select periods to run” select the starting and ending period
4. Pressing OK the Optimization will run
15 - 4
5. View results in the flowsheet worksheet
6. View the total optimized cost in the Energy Cost Summary tab (1307.41)
15 - 5
Task 4 – Run different optimization cases and compare
the results
1. In the Availability tab, change the Max STG power generation to 7, and the Min
GTG power generation to 8 MW (allow optimizer to decide the power loads)
2. Run optimization
Note that, the load of STG increases to 7 MW and the total cost is reduced to 1287.45.
Note also that HRSG fuel is at maximum.
15 - 6
3. In the Demands tab, change the HP steam demand to 280 tonnes/hr
4. Run optimization
Note that, the load of STG is reduced, because both boilers have reached maximum
capacity, and no more steam can be generated.
15 - 7
5. In the Energy Cost Summary tab, increase the price of natural gas from1.5 to 3
6. Run optimization
Note that, the load of STG is reduced to minimum 3.5 MW. This is because the fuel to
power cost ratio has increased and the optimizer is trying to minimise power generation
from the condensing turbine and import more from the grid
15 - 8
7. In the Availability tab, change the Availability of STG to Available
8. Run optimization
15 - 9
This confirm that the optimizer switches the STG off and the cost is reduced compared to
when STG is running.
15 - 10
Multi Period Optimization
Section Objectives
 Describe Multi Period Optimization – what it is and how to develop a production plan for different periods
 Run Multi Period Optimization using MS Excel Interface
 Use “MP Results” worksheet and how to build it
Workshop: Run Multi Period Optimization
16 - 1
Multi Period optimization
 Multiple Period Optimization is the ability to run more than one period in one optimization run.
 This is needed if there is variation between the inputs of the periods:

– Change in price of a contract
– Change in equipment availability
– Change in utility demands
 It also allows to compare different scenarios during the same optimization
How to Carry Out Multi Period Optimization (1)

 Run Demand Forecasting Editor (DFE)
– Set number of periods
– Edit period length (hours) for each period
– Press Calculate and Save
16 - 2
Run Demand Forecasting
1. Set number of Periods
3. Calculate and Save
2. Set period length in hours
How to Carry Out Multi Period Optimization (2)

 Run Profile Data Editor
– View Demand Profile
– View Availability Profile
– Override default availability values if necessary (it is possible to do this using either the Profile Data Editor inside AU
Planner or later from the MS Excel Interface)
16 - 3
View Demand Profile (1)
1. Demand Profiles have 2. Click ‘View’ to toggle

been created for 4 periods display
View Demand Profile (2)
Alternative view of Demand Profile
Right click "Paste One To Many"

to set bounds for all periods
16 - 4
View Availability Profile
For each availability the status and limits (Min &

Max) for all 4 periods are being displayed
How to Carry Out Multi Period optimization (3)

 Run Tariff Data Editor
– For time dependent tiers, set time dependency to “Yes”
– Specify tier price for each period
– Press Commit
16 - 5
View Tariff Data Editor (1)
3. Press Save
1. Change Time
Dependent to Yes
2. Edit the variable cost of
Natural Gas (Tier1) for each
period
Save Data and Commit
4. Save
1. Press Commit
2. Set “End Time”

to the last period
3. Press Apply
16 - 6
Excel Interface – Reloading the editors (1)
 Delete the “Demand”, “Availability” and “Energy Cost Summary” old worksheets in Excel file
 Recreate new worksheets using Aspen Utilities  Optimization  Editors

– Press Yes for each of them
Excel Interface – Energy Cost Summary
Data for all periods are shown.

From here it is possible to change the variable cost of every tier
16 - 7
Excel Interface – Demand sheet
Data for 4 periods are shown.

All periods have the same utility demands, but it is possible to change
them.
Excel Interface – Availability
Data for 4 periods are shown.

All periods have the same Availability Inputs, but it is possible to change
them.
16 - 8
Excel Interface – Run MP optimization
 To run the Multi Period optimization, select:
 Aspen Utilities  Optimize Flowsheet  Select the Ending period
Excel Interface – Viewing Results
After the optimization, Flowsheet Worksheet

by default will display results for Period 1
16 - 9
Excel Interface – Viewing results for another period (1)
Excel Interface – Viewing results for another period (2)
Selecting the period and pressing OK, the

results will be shown in the flowsheet
16 - 10
“MP Results” Worksheet (Demonstration)
 “MP Results” is a worksheet where all variables are automatically updated after every optimization. It’s very
useful to have all values of each period reported in the same table, in order to compare different cases.
 “MP Results” is based on a built-in function, called MPUpdate in the Aspen Utilities Planner Excel Add-In,
which transfers the results from Aspen Utilities Planner to the Excel worksheet.
Create “MP Results” (1)

 To create “MP Results” worksheet, select “Tools | Macros | Visual Basic Editor” or “Developer | Visual Basic”
(it depends on MS Excel version, however you can press directly “ALT+F11”) to display the Visual Basic
Editor. In the “Simulation Links” environment, type
16 - 11
 To add “MP Results” you need to run one optimization ( Aspen Utilities  Optimize Flowsheet). Then the
worksheet “MP Results” will be automatically created.

 Next you need to configure the worksheet, specifying the “Block ID”, “Port ID”, “Legend” and “Units” for the
variables required
16 - 12
 Look into the OptResults table inside the Interface.mdb file (in C:\ProgramData\AspenTech\Aspen Utilities
Planner V10.0\Example Databases) to find out the syntax of the “Block ID” and “Port ID” for different
variables

 Then select Optimization  Get Optimization Results
 You will notice that the table will be populated with the results for all periods
16 - 13
Create Graphs to view Multi-period Results
 You can use standard Excel plotting/trending functionality to visualize and analyse the multi-period results
Workshop - Run Multi Period Optimization

 Use the files from the previous workshop to configure and run a production plan for 4 different cases as a
Multi Period optimization, to establish the optimum loads.
 The price for electricity varies among 4 periods as follows:

– Period 1: 2.5 $/MWhr
– Period 2: 10 $/MWhr
 Butane:6 $/GJ
 Natural Gas: 3 $/GJ
16 - 14
Workshop (2)
 Demands:  Availabilities:
– HP Generation: 40 tonne/hr – HRSG Supplementary Firing: 0-150 GJ/hr
– HP Use: 130 tonne/hr – STG Power Generation: 3.5-7 MW
– LP Generation 66 tonne/hr – GTG Power Generation: 8-20 MW
– LP Use: 60 tonne/hr – STG Availability: Available
– Site Power Demand: 40 MW – GTG Availability: Available
– Recovered Condensate: 20 tonne/hr – Boiler Availability: Available
– Process BFW Demand: 106 tonne/hr – Boiler Steam Generation: 20-200 tonne/hr
16 - 15
Run Multi Period Optimization
Workshop
Files in folder: ws08-multiperiod
Objective
The purpose of this workshop is to develop familiarity with multi period optimization to
establish optimum loads in the utility equipment. We will show how to use the model to
develop a production plan for 4 different periods.
• Task 1 – Open the Simulation File

• Task 2 – Configure the number of periods in the editors
• Task 3 – Reload the Demand, Availability and Energy Cost Summary in the MS
Excel Interface
• Task 4 – Run the multi period optimization

1. Open WS8_Interface_start.xlsx
2. In Add-ins tab in Excel Ribbon, select in the Aspen Utilities menu Open Aspen
Utilities, select the file WS8-start.auf
3. Wait for Aspen Utilities Planner to be ready, then Show Aspen Utilities to make
the application visible.
17 - 1
Task 2 – Configure the number of periods in the editors
1. In Aspen Utilities Planner graphical user interface, click Run button to simulate
the flowsheet (this allows to open the editors faster)
2. In Optimization menu, select Editors
3. In the Editors window, click DFE to run the Demand Forecasting Editor
4. Set Number of Periods to 4
5. Keep period length (hours) for each period to 1 hour
6. Click Calc then click Save
7. At the prompt, click Yes
17 - 2
Task 3 – Configure the Demands and Availabilities for
each period
1. Click Profile on Editors toolbar
2. Select View Demand Profile
3. Click View button to flip to Multi-period display
4. Select View Availability profile
Note: It is a lot easier to enter the data in the Excel interface so let's leave the incorrect
data for now.
17 - 3
Task 4 – Configure the Tariff for each period
1. Click Tariff on Data Editors toolbar
2. Set Time Dependent Pricing of the Power Contract to Yes (keep 0 for the
variable costs)
3. Set the variable cost to 35 for each period
4. Click Commit
5. Select Start Time (Period 1) and End Time (Period 4)
6. Save
This will update the Interface.mdb with data for 4 periods

17 - 4
Task 5 – Reload the Demand, Availability and Energy
Cost Summary in the MS Excel Interface
First we need to re-create the optimization data worksheets.
1. In the MS Excel file, delete the Energy Cost Summary, Demand and
Availability worksheets
2. Recreate them from Add-In  Aspen Utilities  Optimization  Editor
3. Click Yes in every message that will appear
We can now change the energy prices.
4. In the Energy Cost Summary worksheet set the following energy prices for
electrical power:
Period Variable Cost
Period 1 2.5 $/MWh
Period 2 10 $/MWh
Period 3 20 $/MWh
Period 4 40 $/MWh
5. Make sure that demands and availabilities are the same in every period, and have
the following values
17 - 5
Task 6 – Run the Multi Period Optimization
1. Simulate the flowsheet using the Aspen Utilities add-ins, Simulate Flowsheet
2. Optimize the flowsheet using the Aspen Utilities add-ins, Optimize Flowsheet
3. Set Starting Period to 1 and Ending Period to 4
4. Click OK
5. When the optimization is complete, click Close and review the results
17 - 6
You should obtain the following results:
Optimized Flowsheet for period 1:
17 - 7
17 - 8
17 - 9
Additional Topics
Section Objectives
 Discuss Additional Optimization Topics:

– Equipment performance curves and optimization limits
– How to enter optimization limits inside the flowsheet
– Custom constraints
 Discuss Additional Simulation Topics:

– Hierarchies : the ability to build sub-flowsheets
– Process Plant Blocks : how to model them
– Flowsheet Calculations : how and where to write them
Workshop: n/a
18 - 1
Performance Curves (1)
 The optimizer needs to know how the performance of a piece of equipment changes with load
 This is achieved by adding performance curves to the block
 Some blocks have to use performance curves

– For example, Gas Turbine, needs the following performance curves:
– Fuel Use (heat flow) Versus Power Generation
– Exhaust Flow (mass flow) Versus Power Generation
– Exhaust Temperature Versus Power Generation
 Other blocks can be modelled using either performance curves or fixed efficiency
– For example, boilers, turbines, pumps
Performance Curves (2)

 To add performance curves to a block, change Effmethod parameter on the main input form to LookUpTable
 Enter the performance data in specific form:

– EffTable for Boilers
– Data in the form of efficiency versus steam generation load (mass)
– EffTable for Pumps
– Data in the form of efficiency versus mass flow
– PowerTable for Turbines
– Data in the form of power generated versus steam flow (mass)
18 - 2
Performance Curves and Optimization Limits (1)
 If a performance curve is added to the block, the  For Example a boiler has an efficiency curve
First point and the Last point of the performance between 20 and 100 tonne/hr of steam
curve become automatically optimization limits generation, then
– 20 tonne/hr becomes a Min steam limit
– 100 tonne/hr becomes a Max steam limit
Performance Curves and Optimization Limits (2)

 Limits are specified both in the performance curve and in the Availability Profile.
 The optimizer will respect both sets of limits
 If the two sets of limits are conflicting, the optimization will become infeasible
Availability
Period 1
Legend Area Units
Min Max Value
HRSG Supplementary Firing Area1 GJ/hr 0.00 180.00 180.00
STG Power Generation Area1 MW(e) 3.50 3.50 3.50
GTG Power Generation Area1 MW(e) 20.00 20.00 20.00
STG Availability Area1 none Must Be On On
HRSG Availability Area1 none Available On
GTG Availability Area1 none Must Be On On
Boiler Availability Area1 none Must Be On On
Boiler Steam Generation Area1 tonne/hr 50.00 100.00 54.00
18 - 3
Optimization Limits Form
 Optimization limits may also be set for blocks and streams within Aspen Utilities
– Click any block or stream and open a form called Optimization_Limits
 The recommended practice is to leave these limits in Optimization_limits tables to the default wide values
and use the availability profile to enter all equipment limits
– This is because the limits in availability profile are more easily visible to the user
Custom Constraints
 Sometimes optimization constraints are more complex than a min/max limit of an equipment or stream
 Examples:
– The total Boiler Feed Water exported to a 3rd party should be 100 tonne/hr more than the amount of Steam imported
from the 3rd party
– The site can import or export electricity but not at the same time
18 - 4
CustomConstraints.mos
 Stored in text file CustomConstraints.mos in C:\ProgramData\AspenTech\Aspen Utilities Planner V10.0
 The optimizer always reads this file
 If there are any equations written there, in the required format, Aspen Utilities Planner will include the
equations in the LP model
Custom constraints equations example (1)
The 2nd line is standard and refers to

Each constraint is made of 3 lines
all periods
The 1st line begins with ! and is a comment
The 3rd line of the constraint starts with the id

(CE01(p)) followed by the signs := The constraint is made of left and right parts
separated by =, <= or >+
18 - 5
Custom constraints equations example (2)
Most commonly used variables are :
Flow(p, BlockID, PortID) and
status variables BlockOn(p, BlockID)
Hierarchy Blocks: Building a flowsheet in subsections

 In large/complex sites it is not practical to represent all the equipment in one flowsheet
 Instead, we can break down the flowsheet into subsections

– This improves “Look and Feel”
– Makes it easy to locate individual blocks and streams
– Makes it easy for the user to have an overview of interactions between the sections
Section 3
Section 1
Section 2
18 - 6
Hierarchy Model
 Every subsection should be built inside a “Hierarchy” model
Example with Hierarchies

 Flowsheet Description  To build the flowsheet
– There are two power plants PP1 and PP2 – First define the two subsections as two hierarchy
– There is steam transfer of 600# steam from PP1 to blocks
PP2 – Then connect the two blocks using the 600# steam
stream
18 - 7
Example with Hierarchies – PP1
 Double-click on the PP1 hierarchy block.
 A new flowsheet window appears displaying the PP1 sub-section including 600#steam transfer stream.
 Complete the PP1 flowsheet, by adding a steam header and a steam feed.
Example with Hierarchies – PP2

 Repeat the same for PP2, by adding a steam header and a steam demand.
18 - 8
Block names inside hierarchies
 Note that the block and stream names inside each hierarchy, have the hierarchy name as a Prefix, for
example
– Header HD600 inside PP1 is named “PP1.HD600”
– Header HD600 inside PP2 is named “PP2.HD600”
The General Model (1)

 The General Model can be used to model all utility demands of a process unit (instead of using separate
feeds and demands blocks)
18 - 9
 Specify the number of Steam, Water, Power, Fuel and Air streams In and Out from the block.
 By default there is 1 stream for each type, but you can edit this.
 In the following example, PlantA is modelled to have 2 Steam demands, 1 Power demand and 1 Fuel
production .

 After you have defined the number of streams, connect the streams to the corresponding ports.
 Normally the flows for each stream connection should be set to Fixed
18 - 10
Flowsheet Level Equations (FLE)
 Frequently we may want the Aspen Utilities model to perform additional calculations.
 These can be calculations to:

– Link variables that belong into different blocks
– Perform additional calculations, which are not part of the standard model equations
 These equations can be written by the user inside the FLE editor
How to access the FLE editor

1. Click on Tools and Explorer
2. Select Flowsheet
4. The FLE editor

will open up
3. Double-click on
Flowsheet
18 - 11
Flowsheet Equation Example
 The equation below calculates the total steam generation from boilers in WS8
– Tip: you can drag&drop the name of variables from the block and stream tables to the editor
Syntax
 Aspen Utilities Planner is built upon Aspen Custom Modeler (ACM)
– ACM language is not CaSe SensiTIVE
– Mark the end of each statement with a ‘;’
– free format : you can write over several lines and insert spaces for clarity
– Comments
– Single line comments : // comments to the end of the line
– Multiline comments : /* comments */
– Value Types
– numerical values : 1 2.032 -232.213e-23
– strings : "this is a string"
– Note "Syntax coloring"
– ACM editor highlights reserved keywords in blue
– ACM editor highlights comments in green
18 - 12
Variable Declaration
TotalBoilerSteam as Flow_mass (free, 10.0,description:"Total Boiler Steam Generation");
Variable Type Default spec Variable description

Default value
 Common variable types used in Aspen Utilities

RealVariable : General unitless variable
Temperature : Temperature variable
Enthflow : Enthalpy flow variable
Flow_mass : Mass flow variable
Flow_mol : Molar flow variable
Power : Power flow variable
Molweight : Molecular weight
Enth_mass : Specific mass enthalpy
Need to Compile the FLE

1. When preparing the FLE
equations, an * appear
2. When the equations are ready, you need to compile the FLE
3. Then the * goes away, which means the

FLE is ready to run when you run the
simulation
18 - 13
View results in Local Variables table
 The calculations in the FLE are performed every time a simulation is run
 To view the value of the FLE variables, go to Flowsheet, Local Variables
18 - 14
Optimization Error Diagnostics
Section Objectives
 Launch Optimization Error Diagnostics
 Run Presolver Error Check
 Review simulation messages
Workshop: n/a
19 - 1
Types of Errors
 Optimizer Data Extraction Errors
– Cause will generally be reported in the simulation messages window
 Matrix Generation Errors

– Caused by failure to generate optimization problem definition
 Optimization Infeasibility Errors

– Occur when submitted optimization problem is infeasible
 Post-Processing Errors
– Cause by failure to generate optimization solution in database
 Post-Optimization Simulation Errors

– Occur when the optimization solution cannot be reproduced during model re-simulation
Optimizer Data Extraction Errors

 Those error messages will refer to errors in the different tables of the Interface database.
 This table is generated by the Profile Data Editor (or may have been manually altered)
There is a block by name "NATGAS" defined in

the tblContracts table, that block does not exist in
the current flowsheet
This is because the block was renamed after
entering the data in the editor...
19 - 2
Optimizer Data Extraction Errors
 In general these errors result from
– Typographical errors in the profile database
– Flowsheet becoming inconsistent with its associated Profile database (due to revisions)
– Failure to transfer data in Profile database to the Interface database prior to optimisation (and the data already there
not relating to the flowsheet)
 It is important to always check the Simulation Messages window to determine if the cause of the infeasibility
is reported
 Tip: Don't rush into entering data for optimization until you have finalized a good version of your simulation
flowsheet first
Matrix Generation Errors

 Some possible causes
– Contracts information in Interface database not consistent with flowsheet
– Large problem size and optimizer model arrays too small to cope
– Error in custom optimization equations
19 - 3
Matrix Generation Errors
 Matrix generation errors are always reported in the optimizer list file
 Errors and warnings in the list file are preceded by a “?” in the list file
Warning
Number of blocks in flowsheet
(ignore)
exceeds number allowed for.
(Contact Support)
?266(449):warning: no data transferred
?11(277):table: Blocks full - data item(s) ignored
?261(784):index value not found: BadBlock in set: Blocks
?261(784):index value not found: BadPort in set: Ports
BlockName used in Tariff Editor

does not exist in flowsheet
PortName used in Tariff Editor does not
exist in flowsheet
Optimization Infeasibility
 There are two ways provided for detecting infeasibilities during optimization
– Presolve Error Check: Uses XPRESS-MP solver’s presolve functionality
– Error Tracking: Modifies the optimization model to allow violation of balance equations (to identify problem area in
model)
19 - 4
Let’s Increase the HP Steam Demand
 Within the current file, in the profiles database, let’s increase the HP steam demand to 500 t/h for periods 1
and 2
 Commit and Optimize Flowsheet
 What will happen?
Optimization is Infeasible
What Is Causing the Infeasibility?
1. Launch Optimization Error Diagnostics
2. Run Presolve Error Check
The upper bound of the total

steam into the HP steam header
is lower than the lower bound of
the steam coming out of the
header
19 - 5
Presolve Error Checking
 Results are reported in the optimization log file (accessed from the “View Log File” button of Optimisation
Diagnostics dialog
Presolve Error Checking
Optimization
Equation
name
Optimization
Variable names
19 - 6
Optimization Variable Names
 MPSnames table shows Block and Ports related to Optimization Variables
Flow10CC variable
refers to Boiler
VHPSteam flow
Presolve Error Checking: translation and cause
19 - 7
Tips for Identifying Optimization Variables
 Variables called Flowxxxx are flow variables (steam mass flow, fuel heat flow, air mass flow or power flow)
– First ‘x’ character identifies period
– Next 2 ‘x’ characters identify the block
– Last character identifies the port or other variable
 Variables called Sexxxxxx are segment variables (all flow and other variables have at least one segment)
– Next 2 ‘x’ characters identify the port or other variable
– Last character identifies the segment
 Variables called Blockxxx are ‘OnOff’ binary variables

Limitations of Presolve Error Checking

 Only works when XPRESS-MP can detect infeasibility
– If LP initially appears feasible, no information will be available
– In this case use Error Tracking Relaxation option
Optimization initially infeasible. Optimization initially feasible.

Presolve may help identify error Presolve will not provide help
19 - 8
Error Tracking
 Optimization becomes ‘feasible’
– Error introduced into one or more optimization balances
– Error reported in Aspen Utilities
– Large objective function value result due to penalty introduced by violating balances
Run Error Tracking “Optimal” Solution with

large cost objective value
Error Tracking
“Optimal” Solution with large cost

objective value
List of balances that have

errors
19 - 9
Error Tracking Relaxation
 Error list indicates block around which infeasibility may occur (violation of those balances makes the
problem feasible again)
 For large flowsheets, gives an indication of where to search for faulty limit specification
19 - 10
Transfer Data from Simulation to Aspen Utilities
Planner
Section Objectives
 Explain how to transfer data from an Aspen Plus or Aspen HYSYS simulation model to Aspen Utilities
Planner
 Demonstrate the data transfer process
Workshop: n/a
20 - 1
Overview of Data Transfer Process
Aspen Plus/Aspen HYSYS Model 1. Open Simulation Model

2. Exam Utilities Data
3. Generate ASW
4. Connect Simulation and AU Model
5. Link Simulation output to AU input
6. Run AU Model
Aspen Utilities Model
Aspen Simulation Workbook & Aspen

Utilities Excel AddIn
Step 1: Open simulation model in Aspen Plus or Aspen HYSYS

 Run the flowsheet
20 - 2
Step 2: Review utilities data in Model Summary
 Click Model Summary button on Home ribbon
 Click Utilities tab in model summary form
Step 3: Generate Aspen Simulation Workbook (1)

 Click Send to Excel button
20 - 3
Step 3: Generate Aspen Simulation Workbook (2)
 Ensure Utilities table is selected at least
 If an excel interface workbook for the Aspen

Utilities model is created already
– Select Add tables to existing workbook
– Browse for the Excel interface workbook for the
Aspen Utilities model: WS11_Interface.xls
 Click Export tables to Excel button
Step 4: Connect Simulation model to Aspen Utilities Model (1)

 Switch to the opened Excel instance
 Load Aspen Utilities model WS3.auf from Aspen Utilities Excel AddIn menu. Note that the current value of
LP use is 60 tonne/hr
 Simulate the flowsheet and make a note of the steam generation from the boiler (161.5 tonne/hr)
20 - 4
Step 5: Link Aspen Plus output to Aspen Utilities input
 Reference the utilities supply/demand cell in Simulation Link worksheet to the corresponding cell in
Aspen_Summary_Tables worksheet
Step 6: Run Aspen Utilities Model

 Click Simulate Flowsheet command from Aspen Utilities Excel AddIn
 Verify new utilities demand is passed to Aspen Utilities model, and the steam generation from the boiler is
recalculated to 127.3 tonne/hr
20 - 5

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EAU2831

Aspen Utitilies Planner®:

AspenTech Customer Education

Course Number EAU2831.10.01

Aspen Technology may provide information regarding possible future product

© 2018 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. 2

 Name • Name, company, and position

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 Develop a utilities system flowsheet

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 Develop Utilities Flowsheet

 Expand and Complete the Flowsheet

 Microsoft Excel Interface

 Introduction to Data Reconciliation

 Define Utilities Optimization Problem

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Course Agenda - Day 2

 Optimization Error Diagnostics

 Transfer Simulation Data to Utilities Planner

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 State your name when you speak

 Mute/turn off mobile devices

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AspenTech Contact Information

 Technical Support Hotline

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 Discuss the need for an energy management and optimization system

Workshop: Build a simple flowsheet

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At what load should I

At what load should I

What drives should I use for

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What are Business Processes?

 Different business processes may have different owners

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Aspen Utilities Benefits: By Business Process (1)

 Utilities Contract Evaluation

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 Performance Reporting, Monitoring and Trending

 Utilities Contract Management

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“Life-cycle” Energy Management with Aspen Utilities

Plan for the Future Operate Today Evaluate Past Performance

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• Modelling and Flowsheeting

- Drag and drop flowsheet build

- Expandable model library

- EO Rigorous Steady-state simulation

- Data validation and data reconciliation

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Workshop: Build a simple Utilities Flowsheet

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Default Properties file

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