Manual and computer-based process calculations for atmospheric pressure columns
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I would like to ask the engineers at the design institute: In oil refining calculations, taking the atmospheric distillation column as an example, do you usually perform the calculations manually or using computers when designing the column diameter and height? Could the manual calculation errors be large? Please talk about the common practices you use usually. Thank you
Most design firms use software such as PROII and ASPEN for simulation calculations. But manual calculation is very necessary before using a calculator. The disadvantages of manual calculation are that it is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to errors. So, manual calculations can be cross-checked with computer calculations. Computer simulations also require designers to evaluate the results; experienced individuals can tell at a glance whether the simulation is correct or not. You can’t rely entirely on software.
Of course, simulations were carried out using software such as PROII and ASPEN. There are specialized books for manual calculations, including those for calibration. I have a book on the calibration of atmospheric and vacuum distillation units, but I can’t remember its title; it’s a copy of my teacher’s book – it’s a very old book, and I didn’t copy the cover or other unnecessary parts. Search online; there should be a newer version.
I think the results of simulation calculations using software such as PROII and ASPEN are inaccurate. The parameters are hard to determine. Errors can easily be amplified in calculations