7.1.

1(1)
Model
Flash drum Flash drum _FLASHD
name
[Function]
• General-purpose flash tank model. Vapor phase product
• This model can be used as a vapor-liquid separating 1 Liquid phase feed
Vapor phase feed
vessel, or a sealed liquid tank.
3 2
• The mass transfer rate between vapor and liquid is
taken into account to represent the non-equilibrium
between vapor and liquid. Main feed
• The component/heat holdup is taken into account 1
for both the liquid and vapor phases.
• The temperature in the tank is identical to the liquid
and vapor phase temperatures. The heat capacity of
the tank vessel is also taken into account, and the
liquid phase temperature is calculated from the sum q
of the liquid phase and tank wall heat holdups.
• Heat transfer between the vapor phase and the liquid
phase (including the tank wall) is taken into account. Liquid phase product 2

• The driving force for the mass transfer between

vapor and liquid phases is the difference between
the liquid phase equilibrium partial pressure and the
vapor-phase holdup partial pressure.
• The vessel type may be specified as a vertical or horizontal cylindrical tank, or as a spherical tank. Also,
the volume of piping for connection can be included in the vapor phase volume.
• The model can be started empty (without liquid), and the tank can also be emptied from its liquid content.
• The standard function of this model is to calculate pressure by inputting a flow rate, since it is a model for
which vapor and liquid phase holdups and mass transfer between vapor and liquid phases are taken into
account.
• Each nozzle should be connected with pressure drop units (valve, piping, etc.) and flow rate specifying
units.
• It is possible to specify the height of each stream nozzle.

[Flow and phases]

• By defining a liquid phase in the vapor product nozzle, liquid outflow can occur when the vessel is full of
liquid. Note that regardless of its position relative to the liquid level, nozzle p1 continues to output vapor
until the vessel is full.
• By defining a vapor phase in the liquid product nozzle, vapor outflow can occur when the liquid level is
low.
• A reverse flow may occur. All stream nozzles support reverse flow definitions.

[Component system]
• There are no restrictions regarding components.
• The component system should be specified.

[Malfunctions]
• None

[Block : flashd] V9-12

7.1.1(2)
Model
Flash drum Flash drum _FLASHD
name
[Nozzles]
Item Symbol Type Connection Normal flow phases Reverse flow phases
Main feed f1 Feed Required V, L, VL -, V, L, VL
Liquid phase feed f2 Feed Optional L, VL -, L, VL
Vapor phase feed f3 Feed Optional V, VL -, V, VL
Vapor phase product p1 Prod Required V, VL -, V, VL
Liquid phase product p2 Prod Required L, VL -, L, VL
External heat load to liquid phase [MJ/h] q Set Optional - -

Note: When NZLHGT=0, nozzle p2 is automatically located at the bottom of the vessel, and all the other
nozzles at the top of the vessel unless a liquid phase reverse flow is defined for the main feed line, in
which case nozzle f1 is also located at the bottom of the vessel.

[Generation Parameters]
Item Symbol Type Contents Value
Specify Nozzle Heights NZLHGT Parm [-] 0: No, 1:Yes (0)

[Parameters (PRIMARY)]
Item Symbol Type Description Value
Liquid Phase Mol Composition x() Calc [mol/mol] Each component. -
Vapor Phase Mol Composition y() Calc [mol/mol] Each component. -
The initial value should be specified.
Liquid Phase Temperature Temp Calc [°C] The initial value should be specified. (25)
Vapor Phase Temperature Tv Calc [°C] -
Vapor Phase Pressure Pres Calc [kPa] The initial value should be specified. (101.32)
{F} SPECifiable in steady state calculation
Liquid Level Level Calc [m] -
{F} SPECifiable in steady state calculation
Vessel Type DTYPE Const [-] 1: Vertical cylinder (1)
2: Horizontal cylinder
3: Spherical
Diameter DD Const [m] *
Length LD Const [m] *
Volume VD Calc [m3] -
Feed f1 Height Hghtf1 Const [m] (Created when NZLHGT=1) *
Feed f2 Height Hghtf2 Const [m] (Created when NZLHGT=1) *
Feed f3 Height Hghtf3 Const [m] (Created when NZLHGT=1) *
Product p1 Height Hghtp1 Const [m] (Created when NZLHGT=1) *
Product p2 Height Hghtp2 Const [m] (Created when NZLHGT=1) *
Vessel Weight Gw Const [kg] *
Vapor Phase Heat Transfer Coefficient Uv Const [W/m2k] (40)
Mass Transfer Rate Coefficient kG Const [kmol/m2kPah] (0.1)
Evaporation Rate fevap() Calc [kmol/h] Each component. -
Negative for condensation.
System No. s1 Const [-] *

V9-12 [Block : flashd]

 7.1.1(3)
Model
Flash drum Flash drum _FLASHD
name
Level : For steady state calculations, it is always necessary to specify the liquid level “Level” by moving a
SPEC from a valve on the liquid discharge side. The set value must be greater than the minimum
liquid level Lmin.

kG : This is a coefficient to determine the rate to reach the vapor-liquid equilibrium state. The bigger this
value the faster the vapor-liquid equilibrium state is reached, but if it is too big, an important change
in the liquid phase holdup will result in unstable calculations (particularly when a component having
a large K value exists in a trace liquid phase). Therefore, the kG value must be decided considering
the attainment of vapor-liquid equilibrium and the stability of calculations. Since this model
employs a method which allows a stable calculation of mass transfer (cf. model equation 4.(1)),
more emphasis may be put on the attainment of vapor-liquid equilibrium.

[Block : flashd] V9-12

7.1.1(4)
Model
Flash drum Flash drum _FLASHD
name
[Parameters (DETAIL)]
Item Symbol Type Description Value
Liquid Phase Holdup zl() Calc [kmol] Each component. (0)
The initial value should be specified.
Vapor Phase Holdup zv() Calc [kmol] Each component. -
Liquid Phase Holdup Zl Calc [kmol] -
Liquid Phase Heat Holdup Hl Calc [MJ] -
Vapor Phase Holdup Zv Calc [kmol] -
Vapor Phase Heat Holdup Hv Calc [MJ] -
Vessel Specific Heat Cpw Const [kJ/kgK] (0.46)
Heat Trans. Area of H. Loss Aatm Const [m2] (0)
Heat Trans. Coef. of H. Loss Uatm Const [W/m2k] (6)
Heat Release Qair Calc [MJ/h] -
Heat Transfer from Vapor Phase to Qv Calc [MJ/h] -
Wall Liquid
Heating and Cooling from Outside Qe Calc [MJ/h] -
3
Attached Line Volume Vv0 Const [m ] (0)
Volume Ratio Limit for Phase Rdis Const [-] (0.05)
Disappearance
Vapor-Liquid Volume Ratio Rvol Calc [-] -
Min. Vapor Volume Vvmin Calc [m3] Vvmin = VD*Rdis -
Min. Liquid Level to Discharge Lmin Const [m] (0)
Full Liquid Flag k_full Calc [-] 0: Vapor-liquid separation, -
1: Almost full liquid 2: Full liquid
-1: Almost no liquid -2: No liquid

Vvmin, Rvol, Rdis: Vvmin is related to the vapor phase holdup calculation. If this value is too small, the
vapor phase holdup calculation near the full liquid conditions can become unstable. Therefore, it is
preferable in some cases to set this value above the default value.
If the vapor phase volume of the vessel goes below Vvmin (i.e., when Rvol < Rdis), calculation of
mass transfer and heat transfer between the vapor and liquid phases is not performed. In addition:

(1) If there is no vapor entering the vessel, it is considered to be full of liquid, and vapor is no longer
discharged from the vapor phase outlet p1. Liquid is discharged from outlet p1 if the connected
stream has a mixed phase definition.
(2) If there is vapor entering the vessel, vapor will still be discharged from the vapor phase outlet p1. If
the stream connected to this outlet has a mixed phase definition, liquid is also discharged and the
vapor ratio linearly decreases as the vapor volume decreases.
Similarly, if the liquid phase volume becomes smaller than Vvmin (i.e., when 1.0-Rvol < Rdis), and
the stream connected to the liquid phase outlet p2 has a mixed phase definition, vapor is also
discharged and the liquid ratio linearly decreases as the liquid volume decreases.

V9-12 [Block : flashd]

 7.1.1(5)
Model
Flash drum Flash drum _FLASHD
name
[Parameters (STEADY STATE)]
Item Symbol Type Description Value
Start Value of Pressure PreSt Const [kPa] This value is set to Pres and to the p1 stream (101.325)
{u} pressure.
Start Value of Liquid Level LevelSt Const [m] This value is set to Level. (0.5)
Start Value of Temperature TempSt Const [°C] This value is set to Temp, Tv and to the p1 and (25)
{u} p2 stream temperatures.
Start Value of Vapor Phase Outlet ySt Const [mol/mol] This value is set to the p1 stream *(0)
Composition composition.
Start Value of Liquid Phase Outlet xSt Const [mol/mol] This value is set to the p2 stream *(0)
Composition composition.

[Parameters (PRIVATE)]
Item Symbol Type Description Value
Flow Rate Calculation Index ind(5) Calc [-] Each stream -
Flow Rate Regulation Capacity eta(5) Calc [kPa/(kmol/h)] Each stream -
Flow Constraints Fcons Const 1:Yes 0:No (1)
Nozzle p2 Liquid Phase Ratio RLp2 Calc [mol/mol] -
Nozzle p1 Vapor Phase Ratio RVp1 Calc [mol/mol] -
Calculation Parameter uparm(10) Const (1) Lower limit of vapor phase pressure [kPa] (0.1)
(2) (Obsolete) For old unit version (0.1)
(3) Omit handling for water separation calculation
0: No 1:Yes (0)
S Factor S Calc [-] For steady state calculations -
Split Flow Ratio 1 rp1 Calc [-] For steady state calculations -
S Factor Correction by Feed 1 fldS Calc [-] For steady state calculations -
S Factor Correction by Feed 2 f2dS Calc [-] For steady state calculations -
S Factor Correction by Feed 3 f3dS Calc [-] For steady state calculations -
G Factor G Calc [-] For steady state calculations -
G Factor Correction by Feed 1 fldG Calc [-] For steady state calculations -
G Factor Correction by Feed 2 f2dG Calc [-] For steady state calculations -
G Factor Correction by Feed 3 f3dG Calc [-] For steady state calculations -
Temperature Correction by Feed 1 fldT Calc [-] For steady state calculations -
Latent Heat Correction by Feed 1 flddh Calc [-] For steady state calculations -
Temperature Correction by Feed 2 f2dT Calc [-] For steady state calculations -
Latent Heat Correction by Feed 2 f2ddh Calc [-] For steady state calculations -
Temperature Correction by Feed 3 f3dT Calc [-] For steady state calculations -
Latent Heat Correction by Feed 3 f3ddh Calc [-] For steady state calculations -

Fcons: If set to 0, removes the flow rate constraints that prevent the fluid volume to exceed the volume of
the vessel from the pressure-flow balance calculation. The constraints that prevent holdup from
becoming negative, however, are always maintained.

[Block : flashd] V9-12

7.1.1(6)
Model
Flash drum Flash drum _FLASHD
name
[[Model equations]

1. Model outline
Vapor phase product
Vapor phase product Fp1, y, Tv
Vapor phase feed Liquid phase feed
Vapor phase feed Fp1 Ff3 Ff2
Ff3 rvf3
Vapor phase Pres
Heat transfer Zv zv y
rvf1 Temp Tv Hv Vapor phase
Vapor-liquid Qv
Vapor-liquid
mixed phase feed Mass transfer mixed phase feed
fevap=ftre-ftrc Mass transfer
Ff1 Ff1 fevap=ftre-ftrc
rlf3 Liquid phase
rlf1 feed
Liquid phase
Zl zl x
Ff2 Liquid phase
Temp Hl
Fp2
Fp2, x, Temp
Liquid phase product Liquid phase product

Normally this unit is used to perform a two phase vapor-liquid flash calculation by specifying a vapor-
liquid mixed phase for the feed stream.

2. Liquid phase

(1) Liquid phase component mass balance equation

dzl i  dt = Ff1  rlf1  lxf1 i + Ff2  rlf1  xf2 i + Ff3  rlf3  lxf3 i
(1)
– Fp1  rlp1  lxp1 i – Fp2  rlp2  lxp2 i – ftre i + ftrc i

Zl =  zl i (2)

x i = zl i  Zl (3)

zl : Liquid phase component holdup [kmol]

Zl : Phase holdup [kmol]
Ff1 : f1 feed flow rate [kmol/h]
Ff2 : f2 feed liquid flow rate [kmol/h]
Ff3 : f3 feed flow rate [kmol/h]
Fp1 : p1 product liquid flow rate [kmol/h]
Fp2 : p2 product liquid flow rate [kmol/h]
rlf1 : f1 feed liquid phase ratio [mol/mol]
rlf2 : f2 feed liquid phase ratio [mol/mol]
rlf3 : f3 feed liquid phase ratio [mol/mol]
rlp1 : p1 product liquid phase ratio [mol/mol]
rlp2 : p2 product liquid phase ratio [mol/mol]
lxf1 : f1 feed liquid composition [mol/mol]
lxf2 : f2 feed liquid composition [mol/mol]
lxf3 : f3 feed liquid composition [mol/mol]
lxp1 : p1 product liquid composition [mol/mol]

V9-12 [Block : flashd]

 7.1.1(7)
Model
Flash drum Flash drum _FLASHD
name
lxp2 : p2 product liquid composition [mol/mol]
ftre : Transfer volume of evaporated component [kmol/h]
ftrc : Transfer volume of condensed component [kmol/h]
x : Liquid phase holdup composition [mol/mol]

(2) Liquid phase heat balance

Liquid phase heat holdup (including vessel wall)

d  Hl + Hw   dt = Ff1  rlf1  hlf1 + Ff2  rlf2  hlf2 + Ff3  rlf3  hlf3

– Fp1  rlp1  hlp1 – Fp2  rlp2  hlp2 (4)
– Ftre  hle + Ftrc  hvc + Qv + Qin – Qloss

hl = Hl  Zl (5)
Hw = C 1  Gw  Cpw  Temp (6)

Liquid phase temperature

Temp = f  hl x Pres  (7)

Temp : Liquid phase (including vessel wall) temperature [°C]

Hl : Liquid phase heat holdup [MJ]
hl : Liquid phase molar enthalpy [kJ/mol]
Gw : Vessel wall weight [kg]
Cpw : Vessel specific heat [kJ/kgK]
Qv : Heat transfer rate from vapor phase to liquid phase [MJ/h]
Qin : Energy input from the outside to the liquid phase [MJ/h]
Qloss : Heat loss [MJ/h]
Ftre : Evaporation [kmol/h]= SUM( ftre(i) )
Ftrc : Condensate [kmol/h]= SUM( ftrc(i) )
hlf1, hlf2, hlf3, hlp1, hlp2 :
Molar enthalpy of f1, f2, f3, or p1, p2 liquid [kJ/mol]
hle : Molar enthalpy of evaporation liquid at the liquid phase temperature [kJ/mol]
hvc : Molar enthalpy of condensed vapor at vapor phase temperature [kJ/mol]
C1 : Conversion coefficient (=1.0e-3)

(3) Liquid phase volume, level

Vl = Zl  dl (8)

Level = f  Vl DD LD  (9)

Vl : Liquid phase volume [m3]
dl : Liquid density [kmol/m3]

[Block : flashd] V9-12

7.1.1(8)
Model
Flash drum Flash drum _FLASHD
name
Level : Liquid Level [m]
The liquid level is obtained from the vessel type and liquid phase volume.
The vessel type may be specified as cylindrical (vertical or horizontal) or spherical.

V9-12 [Block : flashd]

 7.1.1(9)
Model
Flash drum Flash drum _FLASHD
name
3. Vapor phase

(1) Vapor phase component mass balance equation

dzv i  dt = Ff1  rvf1  vyf1 i + Ff2  rvf2  vyf2 i + Ff3  rvf3  vyf3 i
(10)
– Fp1  rvp1  vyp1 i – Fp2  rvp2  vyp2 i + ftre i – ftrc i

Zv =  zv i (11)

yv i = zv i  Zv (12)

zv : Vapor phase component holdup [kmol]

Zv : Vapor phase holdup [kmol]
rvf1 : f1 feed vapor phase ratio [-]
rvf2 : f2 feed vapor phase ratio [-]
rvf3 : f3 feed vapor phase ratio [-]
vyf1 : f1 feed vapor phase composition [mol/mol]
vyf2 : f2 feed vapor phase composition [mol/mol]
vyf3 : f3 feed vapor phase composition [mol/mol]
vyp1 : p1 product vapor phase composition [mol/mol]
vyp2 : p2 product vapor phase composition [mol/mol]
y : Vapor phase holdup composition [mol/mol]

(2) Vapor phase heat balance

Vapor phase heat holdup

dHv  dt = Ff1  rvf1  hvf1 + Ff2  rvf2  hvf2 + Ff3  rvf3  hvf3
(13)
– Fp1  rvp1  hvp1 – Fp2  rvp2  hvp2 + Ftre  hve – Ftrc  hvc – Qv

Vapor phase temperature

hv = Hv  Zv (14)
Tv = f  hv yv Pres  (15)

Hv : Vapor phase heat holdup [MJ]

hv : Vapor phase molar enthalpy [kJ/mol]
hvf1, hvf2, hvf3, hvp1, hvp2 :
f1, f2, f3 feed and p1, p2 product vapor phase molar enthalpy [kJ/mol]
hve : Evaporation component vapor phase molar enthalpy at the liquid phase
temperature Temp [kJ/mol]
hvc : Condensed component vapor phase molar enthalpy at the vapor phase
temperature Tv [kJ/mol]
Tv : Vapor phase temperature [K]

[Block : flashd] V9-12

7.1.1(10)
Model
Flash drum Flash drum _FLASHD
name
(3) Vapor phase volume

VV = Vv + Vv0 (16)

Vv = VD – Vl (17)

VV : Vapor phase volume [m3]

Vv : Vapor phase volume of vessel [m3]
Vv0 : Volume of piping connected to the vessel [m3]
VD : Vessel volume [m3]

(4) Vapor phase pressure

Zv = VV  dv (18)

dv = f  y Tv Pres  (19)

Pres : Vapor phase pressure [kPa]

dv : Vapor phase density [kmol/m3]

The vapor phase pressure Pres is obtained by convergence calculation so that the equations (16) and (17)
can be calculated simultaneously.

V9-12 [Block : flashd]

 7.1.1(11)
Model
Flash drum Flash drum _FLASHD
name
4. Mass transfer between vapor and liquid phases

(1) Mass transfer rate (evaporation and condensation rate)

The mass transfer between the vapor and liquid phases is assumed to be proportional to the difference
between equilibrium partial pressure and vapor phase partial pressure in the vessel, and calculated for each
component i from the following equation.
fevap i = kG  As   ps i – Pres  y i  (20)

ps i = Pres  kval i  x i (21)

fevap : Component mass transfer rate [kmol/h]

As : Interfacial area of vapor and liquid [m2]
kG : Mass transfer rate coefficient [kmol/m2kPah]
ps : Equilibrium partial pressure [kPa]
kval : K value [-] (values at Temp and Pres)

When fevapi is positive, it is evaporation (ftrei) and when negative, condensation (ftrci).

(2) Heat transfer accompanied by mass transfer between vapor and liquid phases

Evaporation heat and condensation heat are assumed to be handled by the liquid phase and sensible heat is
assumed to be handled by the destination phase.
Evaporation heat Qle and condensation heat Qlc are calculated from the following equations.
Qle = Ftre   hv  Temp xe  – hl  Temp xe   (22)

Qlc = Ftrc   hv  Tv xc  – hl  Tv xc   (23)

xe : Evaporation composition [mol/mol] ( = ftrei /Ftre)

xc : Condensation composition [mol/mol] ( = ftrci /Ftrc)
hv(Temp, xe) : Evaporation component vapor phase molar enthalpy at the liquid phase
temperature Temp [kJ/mol]
hl(Temp, xe) : Evaporation component liquid phase molar enthalpy at the liquid phase
temperature Temp [kJ/mol]
hv(Tv, xc) : Condensation component vapor phase molar enthalpy at the vapor phase temperature
Tv [kJ/mol]
hl(Tv, xc) : Condensation component liquid phase mol entahlpy at the vapor phase temperature
Tv [kJ/mol]

[Block : flashd] V9-12

7.1.1(12)
Model
Flash drum Flash drum _FLASHD
name
5. Heat transfer equation

(1) Heat transfer rate Qv from the vapor phase to the (liquid phase + vessel wall)

Qv = 3.6e – 3  Aw  Uv   Tv – Temp  (24)

Aw : Heat transfer area [m2] ((Surface area of vessel + Surface area of liquid phase) which
contacts the vapor phase.)
Uv : Vapor phase heat transfer coefficient [W/m2k]

(2) Heat loss rate Qloss from the outer vessel surface

Qloss = 3.6e – 3  Aatm  Uatm   Temp – Tatm  (25)

Aatm : Heat loss area [m2]
Uatm : Transfer heat coefficient of heat loss [W/m2k]
Tatm : Atmospheric temperature [°C]

6. Steady state calculation model

The model for steady state calculations is basically the same as that for dynamic calculations, and uses
equations obtained by setting the time derivative terms such as holdup fluctuation to zero.
However, the following special operating states are excluded from steady state calculations.

• Empty state (no liquid)

It is always necessary that there be a liquid level and that the liquid may be discharged normally from the
liquid outlet nozzle p2.
• Full liquid state (no vapor).
• Reverse flow in any of the nozzle streams.
• Vapor blow-by to the liquid product line (p2)

[Revision record]
V7 : Made it possible to change the lower limit of the vapor phase pressure with calculation parameter
uparm.
V8 : Added parameters VD, Rdis and Rvol. Made Vvmin a calculated value.
Replaced parameter Zl0 with Lmin. Removed parameters dv_full and useS.
Improved to give flow rate constraints due to holdup from the unit to the pressure-flow calculation.
　　 Improved liquid phase enthlapy and temperature calculation.
V9 : Made it possible to specify nozzle heights.
　　 Increased the number of allowable reverse flow phase definitions.

V9-12 [Block : flashd]