Analysis of process control performance for an industrial demethanizer based on dynamic simulation

In this paper, ASPEN Dynamics was used to perform dynamic simulation for an industrial demethanizer for process operation optimization and controller design. Firstly, the optimal static operating condition was calculated based upon ASPEN Plus as the set points of dynamic simulation. Secondly, ASPEN Dynamics was used to calculate the dynamic response of process output under several step inputs in order to show the demethanizer's open-loop dynamic performance. Finally, by adding two quality control loops for components concentration, the closed-loop dynamic simulation was achieved and the simulating results were discussed for helping process controller design and operating optimization.