Petro-SIM 3.3 Questions and Answers

Table of Contents

General

Can I recall HYSYS cases in Petro-SIM? Is Petro-SIM compatible with HYSYS and UniSim?

Petro-SIM can recall binary (.hsc) cases from older versions of HYSYS (3.01 and earlier) but not HYSYS 3.1 (or later, including 2006 and 2007) or UniSim cases. However, these three simulators share a somewhat common XML import/export mechanism. This mechanism can be used to transfer cases where the binary files can not be recalled. So to migrate a case from a newer version of one of these simulators to another, save the case as XML and then import that XML in the other simulator. However, there are differences between the simulators (since they are developed independently) and the XML is often incomplete, so a case recalled via XML will usually require some fix up. To migrate a dynamics mode case if it can not be recalled in binary form, try this:

  • Load the binary case in the original simulator. In the menu click Simulation, XML, and uncheck "Specifications Only". Now save the case as XML. You can also generate a dump file, which is a text file that contains additional information. Dump files can be generated using this script (password is KBC). Load this XML into the target simulator. If the target simulator is Petro-SIM, it should switch to dynamics mode at the beginning and import additional information from the XML file. It will also ask for a dump file and use it if one was generated. The integrator may now be able to run without further action, but because the XML file is incomplete (composition for all streams is missing), the model will kick initially and will have to be flushed out with feed material and lined out again. The dump file helps to compensate for some of this missing information. Be sure to verify behavior of the case. Note: Execute the script in a 32 command shell, even when using a 64 bit simulator.
  • If Petro-SIM does not switch to dynamics mode when loading an XML case saved in dynamics mode, there is a Preference option to switch to dynamics mode when loading XML.
  • Alternatively, the XML can be recalled and solved in steady state before switching to dynamics mode.

How can I make Petro-SIM more responsive when I interact with it?

If you are working in steady state, put the solver in hold mode while making changes. Also open the preferences view and on the Simulation Journal and Undo page, change the setting to capture basic quick undo (or no undo) instead of the defaulted more detailed information. The latter can, in some rare cases, cause a delay after you make a change to a unit operation.

What command line arguments does Petro-SIM support?

Click Windows Start, Run and enter this: "C:\Program Files\KBC Profimatics\SIM Suite 3.3\Petro-SIM\petro-sim.exe" /?

Where is my preferences file? I can not find it, especially on Vista.

Right click on Windows Start, and choose Explore. Enter this: %APPDATA%\KBC

I am having trouble applying a patch to upgrade to a new build.

Please see Patch Troubleshooting.

Dynamics

Does Petro-SIM support static heads in dynamics mode?

Yes. However, in older builds it is not enabled by default and has to be enabled on the Integrator Options dialog box.

What about Petro-SIM version 4.0?

Petro-SIM 4.0 is currently under development and has not been released. Due to timing and the fact that it contains many major changes, it will likely not support dynamics mode. Dynamics mode functionality will merge in with the 4.1 release likely.