Presentation

This session is an introduction to Thermoptim prior to the use of the Getting Started guides or Diapason sessions dealing with simple examples.

It presents the main concepts which are then put into practice, like those of the substances, points, or processes, or the distinction between elements of the core and external classes.

The structure of point and process screens is described.

The simple exercise sessions can then be used as tools for handling of the package.

The simplest is probably session S21En, which explains how to model a gas turbine with a gas assumed to be perfect.

Sessions S26En and S31En show how to model a steam power plant and a refrigerating machine.

Thermoptim’s objectives

• Model energy systems without writing a line of code
• Simply calculate cycles with realistic assumptions
• improve students’ understanding and professionals ’ productivity

System modeling

• Connecting various components
• through which flow gaseous, liquid or two-phase fluids

Core and extensions

• Thermoptim consists of:
• a core comprising the main elements
• which can be extended to represent additional elements not available
• 3 categories of extensions
• substances
• components
• drivers

Three basic concepts

• Substances (characteristic of fluids)
• Points (elementary particle of matter)
• Processes (changes undergone by the fluids)
• compression
• expansion
• heat exchange
• …

Substances

• pure gases
• compound gases (protected / non protected)

Pure and compound gases

• Perfect and ideal gases
• Pv = rT

• Cp = Const

  • or
• Cp = f(T)

Substances

• pure gases
• compound gases (protected / non protected)
• condensable vapors
• external substances (simple, mixtures)
• for a Thermoptim user, a substance is simply identified by its name

List of substances

• pure gases
• compound gases
• vapors
• external

Points

• define the thermodynamic state of a small amount of matter
• provide access to intensive quantities
• flow-rates are not being specified

Point screen

• closed or open system
• moist gas

Point screen

• closed or open system
• moist gas

Point screen

• closed or open system
• moist gas

Processes

• Define:
• changes undergone by a substance between two states in components
• specify the mass flow involved
• connect an upstream point and a downstream point
• calculate the extensive state variables

COMPRESSION EXPANSION

COMPRESSION EXPANSION

COMPRESSION EXPANSION

COMPRESSION EXPANSION

COMPRESSION EXPANSION

PROCESS-POINT

NODES

• mixers
• dividers
• separators

Diagram editor