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Flash Drum Designer 2.0

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@f-ritz f-ritz released this 16 Jun 03:31
release-2.0.0
f650ebd

A complete overhaul: preliminary flash drum sizing from Aspen outlet data, with a proper Windows desktop app.

Flash Drum Designer v2.0

Major rewrite of the original tool. v2.0 is a preliminary mechanical sizing app for horizontal and vertical knockout drums — not a process simulator. Run your case in Aspen Plus (or similar), pull the FLASH2 outlet vapor and liquid mass flows and densities, and get drum diameter and length/height plus a PDF report.

If you used the old release: this version is a full ground-up overhaul — new GUI, GPSA K-factor workflow, PDF export, and clearer sizing logic throughout.

Download & run

  1. Download FlashDrumDesigner.exe below.
  2. Double-click to launch — no Python install required.
  3. Enter outlet stream data from your simulation (or click Load Example).
  4. Click Calculate. A PDF sizing report is saved automatically in the same folder as the EXE.

What’s new in v2.0

  • Native Windows desktop GUI (PySide6) with a Windows 10–style layout
  • GPSA K-factor lookup with pressure presets, custom pressure, and applicability rules (at / below / above selected pressure)
  • Live K-factor preview showing effective K, table value, and source
  • Load Example — propane / n-butane NGL depropanizer reflux drum case (17.2 bar g)
  • Horizontal and vertical drum orientation
  • SI and US customary units (kg/s, kg/m³, bar g / lb/hr, lb/ft³, psig)
  • Service corrections — standard, glycol/amine, compressor suction
  • Demister / no-demister K-factor adjustment
  • Automatic PDF export when using the EXE — inputs, results, and 50% liquid-level schematic
  • Command-line interface still available for scripting and batch runs

Sizing basis

  • Souders-Brown vapor disengagement
  • Liquid holdup from user-specified residence time
  • Fixed 50% liquid level (half-full) design assumption
  • Configurable L/D or H/D ratio and vapor area margin (default 20%)

Typical workflow

Simulate in Aspen → copy outlet vapor/liquid flows and densities → size the drum here → use results for preliminary mechanical design.

What this tool does not do

  • Flash calculations, heat balances, or phase equilibrium
  • Replace Aspen, HYSYS, or any process simulator
  • Nozzle sizing, internals design, or full mechanical packages

Verify all results against your project standards before construction.

For developers

Source, CLI usage, and build instructions: README

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