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Importing a Water Analysis from OLI Studio into UniSim® Design

Objective

Assumptions

OLI Studio: Stream Analyzer - Water Analysis Example

Changing Units

Entering data into UniSim® Design with the OLI Fluid Package

Trademark

Disclaimer: This tutorial was created with OLI Studio: Stream Analyzer Version 12.0 and UniSim® Design R500. Newer versions may present different results due to database updates and software changes. However, the core concepts should remain consistent.

Objective

The OLI database and numerical solver integrate as a Fluid Package within UniSim® Design, allowing users to seamlessly utilize OLI electrolytes. While basic steps to set up OLI components in UniSim® Design are covered in other articles, this tutorial focuses on importing a water analysis into UniSim® Design.

UniSim® Design, as of version R500, does not support direct entry of laboratory water analysis data, which typically includes details such as cations, anions, and alkalinity. OLI Studio’s Stream Analyzer and ScaleChem solve this challenge by processing water sample data and generating a molecular (apparent) representation of the water. This molecular form is the data you will import into UniSim® Design.

Assumptions

Before proceeding, ensure the following:

  1. You are familiar with performing water/brine reconciliation calculations in OLI Studio.
  2. You understand how to input data into UniSim® Design.
  3. You are already using the OLI Fluid Package within UniSim® Design.

OLI Studio: Stream Analyzer - Water Analysis Example

A water analysis case has been pre-configured in OLI Studio, attached for your reference.

In this example, a standard sea water water analysis is corrected for electroneutrality imbalances.

1. Perform the Calculation:

Click the Calculate button.

Once completed, the summary box will display the updated results.

2. Locate the Molecular Representation:

Go to the Molecular Basis tab to view the molecular composition.

 

Changing Units for UniSim® Design

UniSim® Design does not support concentration-based unit entries for components. Before continuing, you will need to adjust these units in OLI Studio.

1. Click the Add as Stream button at the bottom of the dialog.

Keep all the options selected, then click OK to create a new stream in OLI Studio.

2. Select the new stream, then click the blue hyperlink on the Inflows line to open the OLI Studio Units Manager.

Click the box on the Inflows line that says concentration. This will display the choices for this field. 

Change the units from Concentration to either Mass, Mole Fraction, or Mass Fraction (whichever best fits your needs). Do not select Concentration or Molar Concentration.

Then click the OK button.

 

The water sample will now be displayed in molecular form, in the selected units.

These values must be manually entered into UniSim® Design.

 

Entering Data into UniSim® Design with the OLI Fluid Package

1. Start UniSim® Design R500 and create an OLI_Electrolyte Fluid package.

2. Click View to access the component list to start entering the OLI components.

Unfortunately, copy and paste functionality is unavailable, so you will need to manually input each molecular species as seen in the OLI Studio output. 

Recommendation: Start by adding H2O as the first component by clicking Add Pure, and continue adding all the species from the OLI component list.

3. After entering the components, create your flowsheet in UniSim® Design as usual.

Ensure that you match the unit basis to what was selected in OLI Studio, such as moles.

4. Enter the molecular composition manually, taking care to input the data into the correct fields, as UniSim® Design may present a different component order from OLI Studio. The individual cell data from OLI Studio can be copied and pasted into the corresponding cell in UniSim® Design.

Click OK to continue.

Once this process is complete, your water analysis data will be successfully imported into UniSim® Design.

Conclusion

With these steps, you have imported your water laboratory data into UniSim® Design, ready for simulation and analysis.

Trademark Notice:

UniSim® Design is a trademark of Honeywell International, Inc.

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