Simulation of Steam Engine

with Aspen Plus®

Using Aspen Plus® V8.0

Revised: November 26, 2012

© 2012 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved

 Objectives

 Learn how to configure a Heater block.

 Learn how to configure a Pump block.

 Learn how to configure a Compr block to simulate a gas

turbine.

 Learn how to simulate a steam engine.

© 2012 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved | 2

 Background

 Steam engine is used by various types of power plants

(including nuclear power plants) to generate electricity.

 Some chemical plants use extra heat generated from

reactions in relevant processes to generate steam, which, in
turn, is used to generate electricity.

© 2012 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved | 3

 Key Teaching Points

 Specifications of the Pump block should ensure that there is

no vapor in the inlet and outlet streams of the pump.

 A Heater block is used to simulate the boiler and thus its

outlet stream should be a super-heated steam.

 A Compr block is used to model the gas turbine by selecting

the “Turbine” model in the Compr block.

 Another Heater block is used to simulate the condenser. We

need to ensure that the outlet of the condenser is a sub-
cooled liquid because it is fed to the pump.

© 2012 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved | 4

 Recommended Further Exercises

 In nuclear power plants, the steam temperature and

pressure can reach as high as 550 °C and 220 bars. With
these temperature and pressure, how much power will
the steam engine generate?

© 2012 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved | 5

 Copyright

 Copyright © 2012 by Aspen Technology, Inc. (“AspenTech”). All

rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced or distributed in
any form or by any means without the prior written consent of
AspenTech. ASPENTECH MAKES NO WARRANTY OR
REPRESENTATION, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, WITH
RESPECT TO THIS WORK and assumes no liability for any errors or
omissions. In no event will AspenTech be liable to you for
damages, including any loss of profits, lost savings, or other
incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of the
information contained in, or the digital files supplied with or for
use with, this work. This work and its contents are provided for
educational purposes only.
 AspenTech®, aspenONE®, and the Aspen leaf logo, are
trademarks of Aspen Technology, Inc.. Brands and product names
mentioned in this documentation are trademarks or service marks
of their respective companies.

© 2012 Aspen Technology, Inc. All rights reserved | 6