Integration of Chemical Process Simulators with Algebraic Modeling Languages

Abstract In this work, we use the external equations facility available in GAMS to incorporate in the optimization model the library packages of a commercial process simulator such as Aspen-Hysys, which provides an extensive component database and reliable physical property methods. To this end, we write a source code in the C programming language that connects with Matlab, which in turn uses the Microsoft Component Object Model (COM) interface to communicate with Aspen-Hysys. The methodology is illustrated with a case study of the reaction section of a methanol plant. The results show that a thermodynamic rigorous optimization can be performed without losing the high index capabilities, few verbose and simple syntax that an AML offers.