16.4. Studies with the Steady-State Simulation

Once a steady-state model has been developed, it can be used for a number of studies. One of the most useful of these is a sensitivity study, which gives the user insight into the process. The other common type of study is optimization.

16.4.1. Sensitivity Studies

In a sensitivity study, the key input variables and process specifications are varied to generate results for the key outputs. These studies were traditionally done manually. However, in current process simulators, a sensitivity study can be done automatically and involves identifying multiple input specifications that can be changed simultaneously. Subsequently, a loop is generated automatically that spans all the input variables of interest. Sensitivity analysis is very useful for process operability studies and simple process optimization, which can provide a bound for the decision variables or give insight into the possible existence of an optimum. As the process flowsheet must be converged for each combination of the manipulated input....