Simulation Model Exchange in Process Industry: Requirements, Solutions, and Open Challenges

Chemical Engineering & Technology, vol. 48

Abstract

Abstract Simulation models are crucial for various applications across the lifecycle of process plants, such as plant engineering. As the industry moves toward modularization, plant components are increasingly supplied by manufacturers who design these modular units, often called package units or process equipment assemblies. Consequently, critical knowledge about their behavior resides with the manufacturers. This paper outlines the requirements for simulation model exchange to share this behavioral knowledge. It reviews solutions and highlights challenges based on literature and case studies. Key elements include metadata, open standards, IP protection, and quality assurance. Solutions, like the asset administration shell (AAS), CAPE‐OPEN, the Functional Mock‐up Interface (FMI), encrypted models, and quality models, are discussed. Remaining gaps are highlighted.

Authors 7

1. Jonathan Mädler corresponding

   Technische Universität Dresden

   Affiliation as printed

   FLEXCELERATE Solutions, C/O TU Dresden Helmholtzstraße 14 Dresden 01069 Germany

   TU Dresden, Process Systems Engineering Group Helmholtzstraße 14 Dresden 01069 Germany

2. Claudia Guadarrama Serrano

   Bayer (Germany)

   Affiliation as printed

   Bayer AG Kaiser‐Wilhelm‐Allee 1 Leverkusen 51373 Germany

   Bayer AG, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Allee 1, Leverkusen, 51373 Germany

3. Isabell Viedt

   Technische Universität Dresden

   Affiliation as printed

   TU Dresden, Chair of Process Control Systems Helmholtzstraße 18 Dresden 01069 Germany

4. Tamás Farkas Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University Chair of Information and Automation Systems for Process and Material Technology Turmstraße 46 Aachen 52064 Germany

5. Wilhelm Otten
   Affiliation as printed

   WOtten‐Consulting Nussbaumweg 21A Münster 64839 Germany

6. Stefan Krämer

   Bayer (Germany)

   Affiliation as printed

   Bayer AG Kaiser‐Wilhelm‐Allee 1 Leverkusen 51373 Germany

   Bayer AG, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Allee 1, Leverkusen, 51373 Germany

7. Andreas Schüller
   Affiliation as printed

   YNCORIS GmbH & Co. KG Industriestraße 300 Hürth 50354 Germany