Computer Simulation Of Synthetic Fuels Feed Preparation Circuits

Feed preparation circuits, which involve such unit processes as size reduction, classification, and beneficiation are inherently a capital and operating cost intensive part of synthetic fuels plants. These circuits, as encountered in similar minerals industry operations, have until now been designed more or less by individual experience and preference mainly because of the large number of variables involved. As a first step towards a computer-aided design tool, a flowsheet simulator has been developed based on an executive program which can connect and drive modular subroutines according to the proposed circuit. The most efficient and appropriate mathematical models were selected as modular sub- routines among available sources such as SPOC, ASPEN, and DOE. Advantages and limitations of this kind of approach are discussed from the system architecture and methodology transfer standpoints with special emphasis on synfuels circuits.