The European Committee for Computers in
Chemical Engineering Education
EURECHA
Newsletter
May, 1999
http://www.capec.kt.dtu.dk/eurecha
EURECHA
Aims and Objectives
The European Committee for Computers in Chemical Engineering Education - EURECHA - was
formed in 1983 to enable software for teaching and methods of computer aided teaching to be
exchanged between universities in Europe.
Its aims remain that of mutual assistance between universities at the teaching level, particularly
those universities specialising in computer methods to assist those where computer specialisation is
not to hand. EURECHA has currently a 12-member executive committee that considers projects
that fit in the aims and objectives of the organisation.
EURECHA has decided to focus on the following areas: Educational software, Tutorial case
studies, Short courses/workshops, Educational sessions (at ESCAPE meetings) and Questionnaires.
One member of the executive committee is responsible for each of these activities.
As members of EURECHA, the department/institution can obtain software at a specially reduced
price, reports of tutorial case studies free of charge, attend short courses/workshops at a reduced
price and obtain lecture notes and other computer related educational material free of charge. Also,
members of EURECHA can get discount from CACHE products.
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EURECHA Projects
Software
EURECHA is actively investigating different software with the aim of making recommendations for
teaching and arranging for acceptable terms for its licensing. EURECHA also encourages
academic software developers to bring their software to EURECHA for distribution to the
academic community for teaching purposes. In this way, EURECHA hopes to become the forum
where commercial software developers can come to see the latest developments from academia and
educational institutions can come to see the latest software that can be used for educational
purposes. Thus software distributed through EURECHA is a) relatively simple and of deductive
value, b) state of the art with respect to the latest theoretical developments, c) commercially
established professional software.
It is possible for EURECHA members to obtain educational versions of PRO-II/Provision and
HYSYS at special rates. Also, a number of new educational software from EURECHA members is
now available. Please check the educational software list.
Case Studies
Problem specifications and solutions (for the teacher of the corresponding course) of well-tried
case studies and design projects. The objectives of the case studies is to highlight a specific theme
(property prediction, process simulation, process optimisation, data reconciliation, process
control, etc.) through the solution of a relevant problem with the help of software distributed by
EURECHA. For each case study, a problem specification is provided (free for members and nonmembers) and a detailed solution (free only for members).
EURECHA members have now prepared six case studies. Documents including problem
description, method of solution and results are available for each case study. These documents can
be obtained (downloaded) from the EURECHA home-page or directly contacting the author. For
further details, please check the list of EURECHA case studies.
Short Courses and Workshops
EURECHA has decided to arrange short courses and workshops associated with advanced topics
or topics of current interest. These courses/workshops are aimed at PhD-students, teachers and
engineers/scientists involved with computer aided process engineering. EURECHA arranges these
courses/workshops together with well known invited experts on the course/workshop topic.
EURECHA and CACHE members are given subsidised rates.
EURECHA is going to arrange a workshop on “Computer Aided Modelling” in collaboration with
the organisers of ESCAPE-9, in Vezsprem, Hungary on June 3-4, 1999. The lecturers for the
workshop are Professor K. Hangos, Dr. I. T. Cameron, Dr. R. Gani and Mr. J. Hackenberg. The
response from the announcement for the workshop has been very positive and there will be at least
15 participants from industry and academia.
Suggestions for the next workshop to be arranged during ESCAPE-10 in Italy are being sought
now.
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Educational Sessions
EURECHA organises at least one educational session during the ESCAPE meetings with invited
and contributed oral presentations. In the invited presentations, faculties from EURECHA member
institutions are invited to present their views/practice of the use of computers in chemical
engineering education. The lecture notes from invited speakers are distributed by EURECHA.
During ESCAPE-9, EURECHA will be organising two educational sessions. The first session will
have mainly contributed papers on education and CAPE while the second session will be a special
EURECHA session with contributed papers, invited presentations from Professor M. Doherty
(Univ. of Mass., USA), Professor J. Grievink (TU-Delft, NL) and Dr. I. D. L. Bogle (UCL, UK),
plus reports from CACHE and EURECHA. At the end of the second educational session,
EURECHA will also have its AGM. ESCAPE-9 participants who also represent EURECHA
member departments are invited to the two educational sessions and the EURECHA AGM.
Questionnaires
At suitable intervals, it is the objective of EURECHA to monitor the degree of computer application
occurring in the various institutions, and record the current policies on hardware and software
within the membership.
A new questionnaire is planned for the new millennium. Suggestions for this questionnaire is most
welcome.
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NEWS
CACHE
On invitation from the chairman of CACHE, Professor J. Davis, the
chairman of EURECHA, Dr. R. Gani, attended the executive committee
meeting of CACHE on November xx during the AIChE meeting in Miami
Beach, USA. Dr. Gani was invited to make a presentation about EURECHA
and it was agreed that future CACHE executive committee meetings will
include an invited presentation from EURECHA. It was also agreed that
CACHE will be invited to make a presentation at the EURECHA organised
educational sessions during ESCAPE conferences. During the discussion
after the presentation by Dr. Gani, CACHE and EURECHA agreed to
collaborate on a number of areas of mutual interest, such as, development of
case studies, distribution of educational software, advice/help with
questionnaires and arrangement of workshops.
Workshop'99
A two-day workshop on Computer Aided Modelling has been arranged in
collaboration with the Escape-9 & PRES'99 organisers. It will take place in
Veszprem, Hungary on June 3-4, 1999. Registration for the workshop has
now been closed as the upper limit for participants has been reached. The
course notes can be bought from EURECHA. Please contact the EURECHA
secretariat for further details.
Lectures'99
For ESCAPE-9, EURECHA has organised two educational sessions. Both
sessions will take place on the afternoon of May 31, 1999. Session DTT is at
13.30 hrs and the EURECHA special session is at 15.35 hrs
Case Studies
An updated list of case studies is now available. For some of the case studies,
EURECHA members can download problem formulation and detailed
solution from the EURECHA home-page. For others, the EURECHA office
should be contacted. Detailed information is available, free of charge, only
for EURECHA and CACHE members.
Software
EURECHA encourages the distribution of software suitable for teaching
purposes. Software developers (commercial as well as non-commercial) are
encouraged to distribute their software for educational purposes to
EURECHA members at a special reduced price. A list of software distributed
by/through EURECHA is included in this newsletter.
AGM’99
The AGM’99 for EURECHA will be held together with the special
EURECHA session on Monday at 15.35 hrs on May 31, 1999.
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List of Tutorial Case Studies
Title
Optimisation of a
methanol plant
Contact author for problem
description & solution
Simulation and design
aspects related to
separation of a multicomponent mixture
Download problem
description
Request for solution
Integrated computer aided
process engineering
(example with separation
of a binary mixture)
Download problem
description & solution
Computer aided synthesis,
design and simulation –
production of methyl
acetate from reaction of
methanol with acetic acid
Download problem
description and solution
Applied reaction kinetics
and reactor modelling
Download the problem
description
Contact author for problem
solution
Objectives
 Application of
optimisation
 Formulation of
optimisation problems
 Use of simulation
software
 Use of process
simulators
 Importance of physical
properties
 Choice of design
variables
 Sensitivity of recycle
streams related to
convergence
Author
Dr. David Bogle,
Department of Chemical
Engineering, University
College, London, UK

Analysis of azeotropic
behaviour
 Generation of
separation alternatives
 Selection of solvents
 Verification by process
simulation
 Flowsheet generation
 Properties prediction
 Process simulation
(PRO-II)
 Process optimisation
(PRO-II)
 Reactive distillation
Dr. Rafiqul Gani,
Department of Chemical
Engineering, Technical
University of Denmark.
 Use of statistical
packages for parameter
identification
 Model discrimination
 Sensitivity analysis
Dr. Georges Heyen,
Department of Chemical
Engineering, LASSC,
Université de Liège.
Dr. Rafiqul Gani,
Department of Chemical
Engineering, Technical
University of Denmark.
rag@kt.dtu.dk
Rag@kt.dtu.dk
Dr. Rafiqul Gani,
Department of Chemical
Engineering, Technical
University of Denmark.
Rag@kt.dtu.dk
G.Heyen@ulg.ac.be
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SOFTWARE AVAILABLE FOR TEACHING THROUGH EURECHA
Program List
Program
Information
PRO/II with PROVISION
A comprehensive process simulation program running as a
Windows compliant application.
HYSYS
A steady state and dynamic process simulator
Enquiries: via EURECHA office or directly to
SimSci office (refer to EURECHA educational
price).
Price:1st copy - $400. Additional copies - $250 (first
year). $1/copy/year extension
Supplier: Hyprotech
Enquiries: via EURECHA office
Price: $120/year. $50/year for additional copies.
Supplier: Batch Process Research Corporation.
Enquiries: via EURECHA office.
Price: £80 for perpetual teaching Site Licence for
each of the ChemEng packages.
Enquiries: ChemEng Software & Services Ltd The
Old Vicarage, Clay Lane, Beaminster, Dorset DT8
3BU, UK
Info & Demo-download:
www.btinternet.com/~chemeng
MULTIBATCH DS
Batch distillation simulation package
ChemEng Suite
CHEMCO - Physical properties Data Bank
DISTILSET - Continuous distillation
INTERN - For Column Internals
BATCHDIST - Batch distillation
HEATEX - Heat exchanger design
HENSYN - For heat exchanger networks
UNIOPT - Flowsheet simulator
PLADE - Economic evaluation plus Investment planning
CAPCOS - Capital Cost Estimation
REACTSET - Reactor Modelling and Design
STIRRER - for stirred tank reactions
REPROCHE
- Non-linear Regression for Chemical
Engineers
RECON – Heat & Material Balance Reconciliation
ICAS - Integrated Computer Aided Modelling System
(properties prediction, process synthesis, process simulation –
dynamic/steady state, process modelling, solvent design,
process control)
ProCAMD – Computer aided molecular design (useful for
selection/design of solvents)
GEEST – Activity coefficient model library (can be called by
external programs) written in C++ together with an interactive
parameter estimation program.
PROCEDE - PFD and PID Draughting with Specification
Sheets
Price: $500 per copy.
Enquiries: CAPEC, Department of Chemical
Engineering, Technical University of Denmark.
http://www.capec.kt.dtu.dk
Price: $250 per copy.
Enquiries: CAPEC, Department of Chemical
Engineering, Technical University of Denmark.
Price: $ 250 per copy.
Enquiries: CAPEC, Department of Chemical
Engineering, Technical University of Denmark.
Price: £99 for a perpetual teaching site licence
Enquiries: Professor Paul Preece, Dept of Chemical
Engineering, Singleton Park, SWANSEA SA2 8PP,
UK
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SOFTWARE AVAILABLE FOR TEACHING THROUGH EURECHA
Detailed Descriptions
PRO/II with PROVISION is a comprehensive process simulation program running as a Windows compliant
application. PRO/II with PROVISION combines all the PRO/II simulation features with the ease of the PROVISION
Windows interface.
EURECHA has successfully negotiated very considerable price reductions for teaching use, particularly for the
multiple user situations, which is the basic requirement for teaching software. The agreement is mutually beneficial and
we have agreed conditions where SimSci gets feedback and comments in projects using PRO-II.
Supplier: SimSci; Enquiries: via EURECHA office or directly to SimSci (refer to EURECHA educational price)
HYSYS is an advanced process simulation software that simulates both the steady state and process dynamics. It is PC
based and is designed as an interactive program. It is particularly suitable for hydrocarbon studies, but also has a
considerable capability for chemicals. The add-on amines extend this capability.
EURECHA has successfully negotiated very considerable price reductions for teaching use, particularly for the
multiple user situations, which is the basic requirement for teaching software. The agreement is mutually beneficial and
we have agreed conditions where Hyprotech gets feedback and comments in projects using HYSYS.
Price: 1st copy - $400; Additional - $250 (first year). $1/copy/year extension
Supplier Hyprotech ; Enquiries: via EURECHA office
MultiBatch DS provides professional Batch Distillation Systems for multiple column configurations, multiple
operating modes, multiple fractions, and multiple products - with multiple levels of models. You can configure,
simulate, design, optimise, and control multi-component batch distillation systems.
This program addresses the major areas of academic interest in batch distillation – unconventional column
arrangements, optimisation, and alternative solution methods for difficult integration, with add-ons for probabilistic
studies and control.
If you need simply to introduce students to batch distillation by means of computer simulation, then the Chem
Eng BatchDist program might be the more appropriate level.
Price: $120 per year. $50/year for additional copies
Supplier: Batch Process Research Corporation ; Enquiries: via EURECHA office
The ChemEng suite is a set of individual programs that cover various chemical engineering curriculum topics. The
programs themselves do not attempt to treat each topic comprehensively, but are adequate for teaching the principles
involved. Experience shows that their relative simplicity, compared to the process simulators often used, makes them
very effective teaching tools. They are also simpler for the teacher who otherwise has to master a full process
simulator to create a workshop using only a small part of it.
CHEMCO - physical properties Data Bank
To provide physical property data, including VLE and flash calculations. Methods include Wilson and UNIFAC VLE
models, SRK Equation of State, 9 point values, and 12 temperature dependent properties to cover all basic Chemical
Engineering physical property needs. Database with 60 standard components for normal academic use, with either 200
or 880 components from PPDS/NEL available if needed. User can add own data. Can be used stand-alone to provide
physical property data, or coupled to engineering software for automatic data retrieval. Source code available for
incorporation in user-written software.
DISTILSET - continuous distillation
BINARY, short-cut FENSKE, and DISTIL for rigorous, multi-component separation (using UNIFAC, UNIQUAC,
Wilson VLE models) and Naphtali-Sandholm; with pressure drops and side-stream facilities. Database with standard
60 components for academic use; with either 200 or 880 PPDS/NEL components available if needed.
INTERN - for Column Internals
INTERN for hydrodynamic aspects of column internals - flooding, pressure drop, entrainment, weeping, efficiency,
downcomer capacity for sieve, bubble and valve trays; packing (by means of packing factor) and structured packing.
BATCHDIST - Batch distillation
Multi-component, multi-fractions, non-ideal batch distillation. Simulates total distillation systems - column, boiler, and
condenser, control strategy. Database with 60 standard components for normal academic use; either 200 or 880
PPDS/NEL components available if required. Fully interactive as though the actual distillation is being performed.
Repeated trials evolve a satisfactory design.
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HEATEX - Heat exchanger design
HEATEX for shell-and-tube, double-pipe, exchange and multicomponent condensation with inerts. General-purpose
exchanger package for design and rating studies. HPROPS, with the CHEMCO component database provides the
physical property data and non-ideal T/Q condensation curves.
HENSYN - for heat exchanger networks
HENSYN solves the problem with a "Pinch" analysis followed by the heuristic "Fast Algorithm" synthesis of the
network for maximum heat recovery.
UNIOPT - Flowsheet simulator
Full facility process simulator; standard 60 components for normal academic use (200 or 880 PPDS/NEL components
can be provided), 20 unit operations, includes optimisation. Contains advanced reactor models and allows the inclusion
of user-written models. Relatively simple structure maintains transparency and allows user-intervention to add new
components, and new models. Particularly suitable for teaching, chemicals, fine chemicals and natural products.
Simple to use, fully interactive. Sized for 100 streams, 60 units, and 15 components; requires 5 mbyte of Hard Disk.
PLADE - Economic evaluation + Investment planning
Economic analysis using a DCF Yield, NPW, Payback, Benefit/Cost, including probabilistic analyses with uncertainty,
using Monte Carlo simulation. Investment Planning using decision trees and strategy generation to determine which
capital investment alternatives to select, and determine the timing of the investment. Hence its use in financial risk
analysis and decision-making for advanced studies in investment in manufacturing plant to determine the economic
viability, risk exposure, and alerting possibilities for risk reduction.
CAPCOS - Capital Cost Estimation
Capital cost of process equipment and off-sites. 25% accuracy. 1986 cost basis. User given escalation factors. User
can override data, update the database, or customise the database with own equipment and methods. Supplied database
contains 47 classes involving process Plant, solids handling, site development, buildings and off-sites. Process Plant
details involve dimensions, pressures, and materials of construction.
REACTSET - Reactor Modelling and Design
General-purpose reactor model - tube/CSTR/semi-batch/bubble-tower. Can handle up to 20 reactions, described by
stoichiometry and reaction orders. Tank model includes a stirrer model to predict heat and mass transfer of gaseous
feeds. Tube model uses homogeneous kinetics to generate composition, temperature and pressure profiles. Includes
REPREACT, combining non-linear regression with the REACT module to enable kinetic parameters to be fitted to
experimental data.
STIRRER - for stirred tank reactions
STIR is a model that predicts power requirements, generated OHTC and Kga, and void fraction for an agitated vessel.
REPROCHE - Non-linear Regression for Chemical Engineers
General purpose, non-linear multi-response regression program for analysis of experimental results and curve fitting.
Algebraic and differential models; algebraic models entered directly; Dimensions - 20 unknown parameters, 20
independents, 20 dependent variables; flexible weighting facilities; very interactive – allowing stepwise fitting, fitting
part of the parameter set, or part of the experimental set; useful plot facilities. Designed for Chemical Engineers –
statistics stay in the background - wanting to add full FORTRAN based equipment models as the regression model.
RECON - Heat and Material Balance Reconciliation
RECON is a comprehensive interactive software for mass and heat balancing of complex chemical plants on the basis
of measured and fixed data. It is designed primarily for the pre-treatment of experimental data. Reconciliation is based
on statistical adjustment of redundant process data to obey laws of nature (mass and energy conservation principles).
As a result a new consistent set of data is obtained. It is becoming an important step in the optimal control of plants,
yet very little independent software is available for teaching the subject.
Price for each ChemEng package: £80 per package for Perpetual Teaching Site Licence
Additional 1 off cost for 200 component database £175
Additional 1 off cost for 880 component database £600
Enquiries: ChemEng Software and Services Ltd, The Old Vicarage, Clay Lane, Beaminster,
Dorset DT8 3BU, UK.
Information & Demo-download: www.btinternet.com/~chemeng
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ICAS provides an integrated set of tools typically needed in computer aided process engineering. The tools belong to a
set of toolboxes (thermo-utility, synthesis, solvent design, process design, control and modelling). Within each toolbox,
a collection of tools is available. The tools and toolboxes are integrated to a database, a simulation engine (steady state
and dynamic simulation) and a solver library. ICAS is suitable for use in applied thermodynamics course (properties
prediction), process design (synthesis, design, simulation), modelling (computer aided modelling, analysis and
solution), process control (open loop and closed-loop simulation, controllability analysis, control system design, etc.).
ICAS is Windows based with online help feature.
Price: $ 500/copy
GEEST is an interactive program that can be used for activity coefficient models as well as parameter estimation for a
activity coefficient model. A large collection of activity coefficient models is available.
Price: $ 250/copy
ProCAMD is an interactive program for computer aided molecular design that is particularly suitable for solvent
selection and design.
Price: $250/copy.
Enquiries: Boris M. Russel, CAPEC, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK2800 Lyngby, Denmark (http://www.capec.kt.dtu.dk or bmru@kt.dtu.dk).
With PROCEDE you have the potential to produce quality drawings and specification (data) sheets for process
engineering design on a PC. In the design environment it can store all your design data for a whole range of projects;
make changes to drawings and specification sheets without the cost and delay of conventional methods; transfer design
data directly to other programs such as word processors, spreadsheets, simulators and design packages. Its main use in
a teaching environment is to introduce the student to the use of computer draughting tools, and their use of icons,
layers, and the ability to create a database of specsheets for every item on the drawing. It can also be used to instil the
need for keeping to Standards for the preparation of PIDs and PFDs.
Price: £99 for a perpetual teaching site licence
Enquiries: Professor Paul Preece, Dept of Chem. Engineering, Singleton Park, SWANSEA SA2 8PP, and UK.
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List of supporting member institutions - 1998
Universidad del Sur, Argentina
University of Liege, Belgium
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria
University of Calgary, Canada
Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
Helsinki University of Technology, Finland
TU-Hamburg-Harburg, Germany
University of Erlangen, Germany
Aristotle University of Technology, Greece
TU-Budapest, Hungary
Technion, Israel
Ben Gurion University, Israel
Seoul University, Korea
University of Eindhoven, The Netherlands
TU-Delft, The Netherlands
University of Trondheim, Norway
University of Macedonia, FYR-Macedonia
Politechnika Szczecinska, Poland
University of Ljubjana, Slovenia
University of Marobor, Slovenia
Ramon Zull University, Spain
UPC-Barcelona, Spain
Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
University of Lund, Sweden
University of Swansea, UK
University College London, UK
UMIST, UK
University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
University of Texas at Austin, USA
Tri-State University, USA
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EURECHA Membership Form
Membership Period 1/1-1999 to 1/1-2001
Contact Person ........................................................................................
Department ..............................................................................................
Institution & Address ............................................................................
..................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
Tel ...................................................... Fax ..............................................
E-mail ........................................................................................................
Membership Fee (please cross the appropriate box)
200 SFr for two years (100 SFr/year)
 Check enclosed
 Send me an invoice
Please return the form to the EURECHA Office
Dr. Georges Heyen
Department of Chemical Engineering
LASSC, Université de Liège,
Sart Tilman, Bâtiment B6,
B4000 Liège, Belgium
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