According to the UK-based company, the latest version offers a number of enhancements over the previous edition, including an expanded model library, as well as improvements in speed, robustness and usability. It also includes usability improvements in the form of an expanded set of sensor and control models which include holdup and stream sensors for reporting moisture content and particle size distribution (PSD) as volume density distributions and quantiles.
Other new additions include a PSD monitor that allows comparison of size distributions from different sensors. New facilities also have been added for easy creation of operating procedures for batch processes.
Partnership project
The third version of gSOLIDS was developed in partnership with customers in food processing and pharmaceuticals, such as Procter & Gamble and AstraZeneca. The company reports that constructing the software on its gPROMS process modelling platform gives users the ability to perform full steady-state and dynamic modelling, handle large numbers of recycles robustly, model complex operating procedures for batch and semi-continuous processes, and easily add custom models to reflect users’ actual unit operations. It can also handle multiple solid phases, each with its own particle size distribution and size dependent composition.
According to Sean Bermingham vice president of Solids strategic business for the company, the gSOLIDS system is a unique, effective solution.
“The ability to handle dynamics (essential for batch process optimisation) as well as combine models and experimental data using population balance models, perform rigorous optimisation on large problems, and implement custom models rapidly, makes gSOLIDS unique in the solids processing industries,” he said. “Our ModelCare service also helps customers achieve results rapidly.”