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Public and Private Databases in OLI: Key Differences and How to Load Them into Desktop Software

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Objective

This guide explains the key differences between OLI’s system (public) databases and private databases, detailing how to load them into OLI Studio and OLI Flowsheet: ESP. It includes information on the primary public databases available across all OLI products, as well as specialized public databases curated by the OLI thermodynamics team for specialty applications.

Disclaimer: The user interface, calculations, and results displayed in this article are from OLI Version 12.0. Other software versions may appear different due to continual developments to the software and databanks.

System Databases 

System Databases are a core component of OLI software, maintained and provided by OLI’s thermodynamics team. These databases are included with your software license and are fundamental for most simulations.

Primary System Databases

The fundamental flagship databases that underscore most OLI simulations are:

  • PUBLIC: Core database for the Aqueous (AQ) thermodynamic framework.
  • MSEPUB: Core database for the Mixed-Solvent Electrolyte (MSE) thermodynamic framework.
  • SRKMSE: An extension of the MSE framework, utilizing the Soave-Redlich-Kwong equation of state (MSE-SRK).

Additional System Databases

Database Full Name Databank File Name AQ Framework MSE Framework Description
Alloys ALLOYS.ddb Yes No Includes alloys used for stability diagrams.
Ceramics CERAMICS.ddb Yes No Includes common ceramic or ceramic-like solids.
Corrosion CORROSIO.ddb (AQ)
CRMSE.ddb (MSE)
Yes Yes Used in reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions for stability diagrams (Pourbaix diagrams). Not recommended for OLI Flowsheet: ESP.
Ion Exchange EXCHANGE.ddb Yes No Includes ion exchange resins and carbon adsorption materials.
Geochemical GEOCHEM.ddb (AQ)
GEMSE.ddb (MSE)
Yes Yes Contains minerals relevant to geochemical processes, often used in geothermal and geological applications. These species form on geological timescales.
Low Temperature LOWTEMP.ddb Yes No Supports simulations of mineral formation at low temperatures (0°C to -50°C).
Surface Complexation Double Layer Model SCDLM.ddb (AQ)
XSCDLM.ddb (MSE)
Yes Yes Models metal oxide surface species following Dzombak’s model for double-layers capacitance.
Urea UREA.ddb (MSE) No Yes Includes surface species that support the high-temperature formation of urea. Its use is not recommended unless urea is known to form from NH₃ and CO₂. Generally, such formations are limited by kinetics.

 

Private Databases

Unlike system databases, a private database is one that is either curated by you or developed by OLI for your unique needs. It is not public nor accessible to other OLI users.

Below are steps to load a private database into OLI Studio and OLI Flowsheet: ESP. These same steps can be used to load any of the specialty databases provided by OLI.

Loading a Private Database in OLI Studio

1. Open OLI Studio.

2. Check that your private database (.ddb file) is saved to the appropriate directory: navigate to the Menu Bar > Tools > Options… > File Locations > Configuration tab. The directory shown next to "Private databanks location" is where the software searches for databases. Ensure your .ddb file is saved to this directory.

3. In the Menu Bar, navigate to Chemistry > Model Options… > Databanks tab. Select the appropriate Thermodynamic Framework for your private database. From the “Available” list, select your database and move it to the “Selected” list by clicking the right arrow. Confirm with "OK."

Now, the species from the private database will be available for all streams in this OLI Studio file. This is because we followed Steps 1-3 with the Global Stream selected in the Navigator Panel. If these steps are executed at the Local Stream level, the database species will be available for selected local stream only.

Loading a Private Database in OLI Flowsheet: ESP

1. Open OLI Flowsheet: ESP.

2. Check that your private database (.ddb file) is saved to the appropriate directory: navigate to the Menu Bar > Tools > Options > Databank Locations. The directory shown below "Private databanks location" is where the software searches for databases. Ensure your .ddb file is saved to this directory.

3. In the Chemistry tab, navigate to the Databanks section. Select the appropriate Thermodynamic Framework for your private database. Then, click “Add” to select the name of your private database from the dropdown list.

3. Now, the species from this selected database will be available for all streams and blocks that use this Chemistry model.

 

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can easily load and utilize both public and private databases within OLI’s software, enhancing your simulation capabilities with custom data tailored to your needs.

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