Linking Process Simulation and Automatic 3D Design for Chemical Plants

Abstract In this contribution, the automatic creation of 3D models for Modular Process Units (MPUs) of chemical plants is presented. A prototype is successfully implemented within the PlantDesign Feature of the modeling environment MOSAIC. It enables the automatic source code generation for detailed 3D models. The constructive design of the MPU models includes norm-compliant equipment components, internal installations, platforms and ladders, structural elements, supports, and close piping including measurement and control devices. The design of the MPUs is individually adaptable to the process data, operating conditions, material selection and constructive design requirements. Besides the spatial information, also process and meta information like process variables, process conditions, constructive user specifications, heuristic information, and calculated design parameters are stored within the 3D data model. The automatically generated source code of the process unit can be imported into 3D CAD tools e.g. E3D/PDMS of AVEVA®. The PlantDesign library includes rectification columns and associated apparatuses.