Step 1: Create Flow Network models using AVEVA Process Simulation (APS)

AVEVA Process Simulation (APS) supports the configuration of pipeline Flow Network models that are composed of a single Flow Network or multiple connected Flow Networks. The following procedures describe the steps for creating Station, Overview and Project level Pipeline Flow Network models in AVEVA Process Simulation (APS).

Station, Overview and Project Levels

To create a Flow Network model, you need to create models at three different levels, as shown in the following diagram.

Station Level: A Station model should be created for each pump station in the Flow Network.

Overview Level: An Overview model should be created for each Flow Network that will be part of the larger interconnected Flow Network.

Project Level: Only one Project model should be created to represent the interconnected Flow Network.

The three levels of configuration are required even if you are modeling a simple Flow Network (that is, no interconnections with other Flow Networks). You can choose to build your model top-down starting from the Project level, or bottom-up starting from the Station level.

To create a Station level Pipeline Flow Network using APS

1. Open a new Simulation Canvas and toggle to Process Mode.

   

2. On the Model Library pane, right-click the tab for a Model Library, and then select Show/Hide Library. The Show/Hide Library dialog appears.

   Alternatively, you can click the + icon at the bottom of the Model Library pane to open the Show/Hide Library dialog.

3. Select the SimSuite Station and FlowNetwork Model Libraries and click OK.

   

4. Create the Pipeline Flow Network by dragging devices from the Model Library to the Simulation Canvas.

   For more information on the different types of devices you can use and how they map to objects in the RTDB, see Understand APS Device types and what they map to in the RTDB.

   Note: When creating multiple stations that have a similar layout, you can use the conventional copy-paste procedure as a convenience mechanism. For more information on working with Flow Network Models in APS, refer to the AVEVA Process Simulation Building Guide.

5. Name the file.

   In the following example, the pipeline flow network L3_S1 is defined.

   

   Note: APS saves configuration files in a default location under C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Local\SimSci\SimCentral\Sims. It is important that these files are not moved to a different location. Otherwise, SimConstruct will not be able to locate these files when trying to import the Flow Network model.

To create an Overview level Pipeline Flow Network using APS

6. Open a new Simulation Canvas and toggle to Process Mode.

7. On the Model Library pane, right-click the tab for a Model Library, and then select Show/Hide Library. The Show/Hide Library dialog appears.

   Alternatively, you can click the + icon at the bottom of the Model Library pane to open the Show/Hide Library dialog.

8. Select the SimSuite Overview Model Library and click OK.

9. Build the Flow Network by adding devices from the Model Library to the Simulation Canvas.

   For more information on working with Flow Network Models in APS, refer to the AVEVA Process Simulation Building Guide.

10. Name the file.

    Note: The Overview file name you choose here will be used in a later step when you create the SimConstruct Pipeline.

    The following example shows the Simulation Canvas associated with the Overview Pipeline Flow Network Line_3.

    

    Note: APS saves configuration files in a default location under C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Local\SimSci\SimCentral\Sims. It is important that these files are not moved to a different location. Otherwise, SimConstruct will not be able to locate these files when trying to import the Flow Network model.

To create a Project level Pipeline Flow Network using APS

11. Open a new Simulation Canvas and toggle to Process Mode.

12. On the Model Library pane, right-click the tab for a Model Library, and then select Show/Hide Library. The Show/Hide Library dialog appears.

    Alternatively, you can click the + icon at the bottom of the Model Library pane to open the Show/Hide Library dialog.

13. Select the SimSuite Project Model Library and click OK.

14. Name the file.

    Note: The Project file name you choose here will be used in a later steps when you create the SimConstruct Workspace.

15. Build the Pipeline Flow Network by adding devices from the Model Library to the Simulation Canvas. At minimum, the following objects should be added:

    1. Project Options: This is required in order to be able to upload the model in a later step. For the purposes of Flow Network modeling, you can use this object without changing any of the default options.

    2. ValveConfig: In order to be able to use valves in the Flow Network model, you need to add this type. You can leave the default configurations unchanged. However, it is recommended to ensure that the CurveType property is set to the same value as the one set on the individual valves in your model. This will eliminate warning messages alerting to the type not being defined when you attempt to upload the model. For the purposes of Flow Network modeling, the CurveType property is not relevant.

    3. PumpConfig: In order to be able to use pumps in the Flow Network model, you need to add this type. You can leave the default configurations unchanged. However, ensuring that the CurveType property is set to the same value as the one set on the individual pumps in your model will eliminate warning messages alerting to the type not being defined when you attempt to upload the model. For the purposes of Flow Network modeling, the CurveType property is not relevant.

    4. Pipelines: For each pipeline included in the Flow Network model, a Pipeline object must exist at this level. The name of the Pipeline object should be set to the name of the file created at the Overview level.

    For more information on working with Flow Network Models in APS, refer to the AVEVA Process Simulation Building Guide.

    The following example shows the Simulation Canvas associated with the Interconnected Pipeline Flow Network MegaNetwork.

    

    Note: APS saves configuration files in a default location under C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Local\SimSci\SimCentral\Sims. It is important that these files are not moved to a different location. Otherwise, SimConstruct will not be able to locate these files when trying to import the Flow Network model.