Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 1.2
Preconfigured selections.
If the option “blank simulation” is chosen, an application can be custom configured.
After selecting the desired option and clicking OK, the Connect to Engine screen
appears, and upon selecting OK, a blank workplace that facilitates the graphic users
interface appears if “flowsheet” was chosen. If the option chosen is anything else, the
first required input form appears.
1.2 GRAPHIC USERS INTERFACE
The graphic users interface (GUI) is the means by which a flowsheet is defined. The
process consists of placing blocks and streams on the workplace and connecting them.
Aspen Plus assigns generic names such as B1 to the blocks. The user may change these
names by right-clicking on the element of interest and using the menu that appears.
Blocks are selected by choosing a category tab from the model library—for example,
Mixers/Splitters—and clicking on the icon that represents the block desired. After
clicking, a movable
+
sign appears on the open area of the display. After positioning
it on the screen, a left click will place the block. The
+
sign remains and can be
moved to insert another instance of the same block. This function ceases when the
arrow button at the lower left is selected. In identical fashion, streams can be placed
on the flowsheet. Material, heat, and work streams may be selected. When a stream
input is selected and the cursor is moved onto the workplace, the ports to which the
streams may be connected are shown. The connection is made by moving the active
