System Modelling & Simulation of Energy

Systems

References:
Hodge, B.K., and Taylor, R.P., 1999, Analysis and
Design of Energy Systems, 3rd edition, Prentice-Hall,
Inc.
Stoecker, W.F., 1989, Design of Thermal Systems,
3rd edition, McGraw-Hill.
Process Modeling and Simulation
 Process modeling today is an integral part of
process development and design, operation
optimization, process control, business
evaluation and decision-making.
 Modeling and simulation including computer
simulation / calculation software or program
and mathematical representations of physics
and chemistry of complex process system
have been increasingly used to assist
process development and design.
Three general approaches to modeling:
 First principle approach
 Functional block approach
 Gray box approach
 In the first principle approach, the models are
derived based on physical and chemical
laws, e.g. mass and energy balances,
thermodynamic equilibrium, chemical
reaction kinetics and mass and heat transport
phenomena.
 The functional block / black box approach

 The functional block is often referred as black

box approach. In this approach, the models
are derived strictly based on empirical
descriptions. In most cases a complete
process model building is not entirely
based on a single approach. A process model
built by the first principle approach usually
leaves a few parameters to be validated by
experimental or the real plant operation data.
 gray box approach
 A process model built by the first principle
approach usually leaves a few parameters to
be validated by experimental or the real plant
operation data.
 On the other hand, the mathematical
structure of an empirical process model
should be assumed based on an
understanding of the physicochemical nature
of the process. This combined approach is
often called gray box approach.
Two types of models are:
 Steady state model
 Dynamic model
 A steady state model reflects the process
during steady state operation. Neither energy
nor material accumulations with respect to
time are considered in the model.
 A dynamic model reflects the time transient
response of the process from one steady
state to another. Energy and / or material
accumulations with respect to time are
considered in the model.
Modeling vs. Simulation

 Modeling deals with establishing physically

correct quantitative relationships between
real systems and models of those real
systems
 Simulation deals with implementing the
models, usually using the computer, in such a
way that the results match those of the real
system to a high degree
 Degree of validity: the extent to which
the model matches data from the real
system
 Replicatively valid: it matches existing data from the
real system
 Predictably valid: it can predict data outside the
range of parameters of the original database
 Structurally valid: it truly reflects how the real system
operates
 All simulations should be validated using
experimental data.
 Purpose of Simulation
 Simulations can have a wide range of purposes. They
may include
 Predicting off-design performance of existing systems
to identify and mitigate possible problems
 Optimizing the efficiency of a system during the design
process to decrease energy costs
 Determining how making a modification in one part of
an existing system will affect the rest of the system.
 Once validated with experimental data, simulations
can save a lot of time and money – they’re a lot
cheaper and faster than running experiments!
 Classes of Simulations
 Continuous vs. Discrete
 Continuous: flow through a system is continuous, like
fluid flow
 Discrete: flow is treated as a certain number of
discrete integers, such as number of people
 Deterministic vs. Stochastic
 Deterministic: input parameters are known and
precisely specified
 Stochastic: input parameters are uncertain. They may
be determined randomly or using a probability
distribution, for instance.
 Steady State vs. Transient (Dynamic)
 Most of our problems will be continuous,
deterministic, and steady state
 Developing accurate models and
simulations
 Several areas must be looked at closely to
develop an accurate simulation
 Physical bases
 Levels of the component models
 Accuracy
 Validation procedure
Physical bases
 If the component models don’t represent the correct
physics, the model will not give accurate results or you
will not be able to use the model beyond a very limited
range
 How do the individual components act?
 Do your mathematical equations accurately predict
performance?
 Do you understand how the different components
interact?
 Make sure that you include the effects that the system
may have on the component performance.
 Levels of Component Model

 The higher the level of the model, the more

details are captured. For example, think of a
compressor model
 Level 1 might be doing a simple analysis like
done as homework problems for an
undergraduate thermodynamics class.
 Level 2 might be the model that one
developes for more parameters.
 Levels of Component Model

 Level 3 might be a detailed transient finite

difference computer analysis of the fluid
dynamics inside the compressor.
 Higher level models, if done correctly, are
more accurate and model the true situation
better.
 However, you pay a price with increased
computation time and increased personal
time to develop them.
 Accuracy
 Make sure that you clearly understand the
assumptions being made and how they affect
the accuracy of the results.
 Choose a simulation level consistent with
your desired accuracy.
 You may have no need for a sophisticated
finite difference model.
 Use a similar simulation level for each
component in your system unless you have a
good reason not to.
 Accuracy
 Your system accuracy might be dominated by the
component modeled with the lowest-level model. In
that case, there’s no reason to use a higher-level
model for other components.
 Performing a sensitivity analysis may help us
determine how good the model of a certain
component should be.
 If “y” is the desired output and “x” the result of an
individual component model, vary “x” and see how
much ”y” changes. If changing “x” has little effect on
“y”, then that component doesn’t
need a very sophisticated model.
 Validation
 This includes two steps: validating the individual
component models and the entire system
simulation.
 Make sure that your simulation can reproduce
existing experimental data.
 Be careful about running your simulation for
parameters outside the range of validation. At times
you may need to, but realize that you’re increasing
the uncertainty of your results.
Who Should do Simulations
 Computer scientists and computer engineers may be
able to assist in transforming your model into a
computer simulation
 However, they will not understand the physics that
you’re trying to model, how components interact, the
required accuracy, what assumptions are OK, etc.
 Therefore, it is important that system simulations be
developed by the people who are experts in that
particular area of engineering.
Systems of Simultaneous Equations
 Many simulations require solving systems of
simultaneous equations.
 Finite difference methods
 Using EES for a refrigerator model, the compressor
performance depends on the evaporator, which
depends on the expansion valve, which depends on
the condenser, which depends on the compressor –
they’re all linked together. Two methods of
simulation include Successive Substitution and
Newton -Raphson
ENERGY CONVERSION PLANT
ENERGY CONVERSION PLANT
 Dynamic Life Cycle Assessment of biogas
production from micro-algae

Because of their high production yield, micro-algae

have been pointed as an interesting biofuel.
A relevant mean to upgrade the energy value of
micro-algae with optimal performances is the
anaerobic digestion of the algae. It enables
achievement of environmental benefits and
production of energy from renewable resources.
However such processes only exist at lab-scale.
Continued...
 In order to assess and optimize its performances
and environmental impacts, one has to simulate its
behaviour through dynamical models.
 In broad outline the two major compartments of the
system (micro-algae culture and anaerobic digestion
process) are linked by internal flows (micro-algae,
digestates…) and receive external flows (light,
cosubstrates…). As a consequence, overall
behaviour is determined by the interaction of several
time-dependent processes.
 Biogas production from micro-algae

 We integrate dynamic
system modeling of
micro-algae growth and
anaerobic digestion of
biomass in the LCA in
order to obtain dynamic
flows.
Continued...
 A pertinent Life Cycle Inventory can not be achieved
without taking into account the dynamic of several
processes; some economic flows are determined
according to the temporal evolution of processes.
 Consequently, we integrate dynamic system
modeling of micro-algae growth and anaerobic
digestion of biomass in the LCA in order to obtain
dynamic flows.
 This approach allows us to obtain dynamic data for
the Life Cycle Inventory. This is a preliminary step to
more accurate impact assessment.
Wind Energy Conversion System
 The Modelling Process

Real world 1 Mathematical

problem problem

2
4

Mathematical
Interpretation
3 solution
Model Application Areas
Process design
Process control and diagnosis
Troubleshooting
Process safety
Operator training
Environmental impact assessment