LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Process Systems Enterprise (PSE), providers of the world-leading gPROMS high-fidelity process modelling environment and related ModelCare services, launched its new gPROMS Solids product at this week’s annual meeting of the International Fine Particles Research Institute (IFPRI) in Spa, Belgium.

Developed in conjunction with Procter & Gamble, gPROMS Solids provides an integrated drag & drop graphical flowsheeting environment for model-based engineering and optimisation of solids processes. Population balance-based models of solids processing equipment are used to validate models against experimental data, optimise process design and operation, determine the optimal process economics and quantify and manage the risks associated with engineering decisions.

The package is aimed at process engineers and scientists in industries where particulate processes play an integral part, such as consumer products (FMCG), pharmaceuticals, food processing and minerals and mining.

Ben Weinstein, section head of Corporate Function R&D Modeling & Simulation at Procter & Gamble, says: “a key advantage of gPROMS Solids is that it allows our modellers to develop dynamic models of complex processes and apply these to analyse process dynamics.”

gPROMS Solids helps engineers to optimise the operation of units such as high shear wet granulators, fluidised bed dryers, mills, screens, spray dryers and agglomerators in order to maximise throughput, ensure product quality, size recycles and surge bins for new plants and in general to determine the optimal trade-off between capital and operating cost and make informed purchasing decisions.

Typical benefits include reduced capital investment, reduced operating costs, improved product quality, increased throughput, more flexible process design, reduced CO₂ footprint, and a better process understanding.

Says Weinstein, “another key advantage is the ability to exploit any model using optimisation-based capabilities such as parameter estimation and dynamic optimisation. These capabilities result in accurate models, optimal operating procedures, and ultimately a better likelihood that when we start up a new line it will work as planned.”

Key features of gPROMS Solids are its ability to perform full steady-state and dynamic modelling, handle large numbers of recycles robustly, and model complex operating procedures for batch and semi-continuous processes. Advanced features allow parameter estimation for fitting process parameters from laboratory or operational data, rigorous mathematical optimisation of design and operation, and sensitivity analyses for risk management. It also integrates with gPROMS crystallisation and gas-liquid process models to enable simultaneous whole-process design.

Sean Bermingham, PSE Head of Consulting and gPROMS Solids product manager, says “gPROMS Solids addresses many traditional challenges for engineers and scientists, both at individual unit operation and overall process level, as well as workflow challenges such as short timelines, incidental usage and experimental data processing. It also provides a very flexible and powerful platform for integrating companies’ internal R&D and third party research in the future”.