Data Management

Every object in IPSE that contributes to the process simulation contains data. This data is stored in a dataset that itself is part of a project. To learn more about datasets see Advanced Data Management.

To specify the data for an object either double click on the object in the flowsheet or select Edit via the context menu.

Data Input Window

To edit the data for an object, the data input window is opened. The data input window groups the most important information for each object and displays it in a single window (see Figure 1).

data input window unit
Figure 1. The data input window is used to specify the data for components in the process model.

This information is stored per dataset and contains:

  • Name
    The name of the object. It can be edited directly in the data input window.

  • Model
    The selected model for the object. Different models contain different mathematical description of for the object and may require different data to be specified.

  • Enabled Statues
    With the enabled checkbox it is possible to disable the object. Disabled objects will not be included in calculations and are grayed out in the flowsheet editor.

  • Updated Model
    Wethever the model should be updated when the dataset is updated.

  • Data
    The data for the object. The data itself is grouped into References, Parameters, Variables and Options.

To save changes made to the data input dialog confirm by clicking btn:OK[].

References

References are used to link model equations to global variables. This is typically used to specfiy shared parameters accross multiple components. An example is a working fluid that is used by multiple connections. The data is specified via the global and references are set in the data input window of refering objects.

Parameters and Variables

Data rows containing Parameters (P) or Variables (X) contain a name, a description and an input value. Parameters are always mandatory and are directly used in the model. Variables can be optional values.

Depending on the solver type variables may have different statuses. For steady state simulations variables can be set or estimated and limited by a lower and upper bound.

  • Set
    If the variable is set the solver will use the specified value to calculate the process. Note that by setting all variables to *set*the solver may yield an overspecified error.

  • Estimated
    If a variable is estimated the solver will try to find a value that satisfies the model equations and the specified bounds while starting from the specified estimated input value.