New Software Release

Product details

Symmetry process software platform captures all aspects of your models, from reservoir to product distribution. The Symmetry process software platform offers a unique opportunity to model your process workflows in one environment, integrating pipelines, networks, and facilities models, while ensuring consistent thermodynamics and fluid characterization across the full system. This approach enables companies to optimize processes in upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors, maximizing profits and minimizing capex.

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Key features of this release

Symmetry 2020.1 supports the FLEXlm licensing system shared by other Schlumberger applications.

Symmetry 2020.1 is a new major release incorporating new features and improvements from previous versions. Some of the key new features are listed below.

Thermodynamics

• New features in the thermodynamics engine allow you to calculate asphaltene onset pressure and asphaltene precipitated fraction as well as automatically calculate binary interaction parameters for asphaltene-like compounds in the Peng-Robinson-based thermodynamic models.
• It is now possible to determine whether phase-based hydrocarbon properties are reported on a bulk or liquid hydrocarbon basis.
• Volume translation coefficients are now exposed for Peng-Robinson-based thermodynamic models. This allows the user to have additional control when trying to match specific vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) data. Additional tuning for the Lohrenz viscosity model is also possible by using the "Critical Volume (Lohrenz)" pure compound property.
• New compounds have been added to the Heat Transfer Fluids list.
• The Envelope unit operation can now plot the solid CO2 equilibrium line when using the APR Solid CO2 thermodynamic model.
• It is now possible to enable nontemperature-dependent binary interaction parameters in the Amines thermodynamic model.
• A new dense phase labeling algorithm allows the user to enable additional calculations to determine whether the fluid is vapor-like or liquid-like.
• A new Full Refinery Slate option to the Cn Cuts PIONA characterization creates predefined groups suitable for the modeling of refinery cases.

Dynamics

• There is a New Dynamic Filtering unit operation to clean and filter data from online sources.
• It is now possible to control the number of CPU cores the dynamics engine can use when running a model as opposed to using all the CPU cores in the computer.
• You can quickly determine an appropriate size for your facility’s slug catcher with the new Slug catcher sizing utility.

User Interface

• The Excel add-in is now able to toggle the visibility of the loaded simulation case. This allows the user to quickly see the live model connected to the Excel file where the add-in is being used.
• The Molecular Structure Builder is now fully functional. This allows you to create hypothetical compounds by drawing their molecular structure using defined functional groups and atoms.
• It is now possible to automate the user interface through the Symmetry.exe application. This gives additional functionality over automating the Symmetry platform engine.
• Substantial updates to localization for non-English languages and character sets.
• Tools and workflows have been streamlined for the usage of a watermark and PFD backgrounds. The Symmetry platform logo is now the default at the bottom left of each PFD.

Petrochemical and Refinery Reactors

• The Reduced Order Model (ROM) functionality is now available in all refinery reactors. This allows the user to speed up solve time for refinery reactors maintaining the accuracy level of the rigorous model including catalyst deactivation. This new functionality can be applied to new and already tuned reactors.
• Custom kinetic reaction layer has been added to all the refinery reactors. This allows users to further customize the reactions if they know specific kinetic information.
• The Ethylene cracker reactor has added burner location capabilities to customize the temperature profile. The service time prediction can now be based on maximum tube temperature or pressure drop.
• The Hydrotreater reactor has a new wizard for feed and severity selection.

Network solver

• Symmetry 2020.1 supports Pressure-Enthalpy (PH) flash calculations for pure compounds.
• Symmetry 2020.1 supports narrow boiling point fluids.
• The solver can now initialize calculations from a previous solution which improves the solving time.
• Detailed heat loss has been added to the Model Audit tool.

Pipe Workspace

• Network Design mode allows users to create pipe networks using a map view and GIS information.
• TUFFP flow models have been added to the pipe unit operation and are fully supported in the Pipe workspace.
• Steam networks are now supported. 

Flare Workspace

• Rupture disk unit operation added.
• Blowdown sizing added to valve and restriction orifice.
• Flaresim, industry-standard safety analysis software for flare stack design, now installs with the Symmetry platform.
• Flame and stack model added in the flare tip unit operation (powered by Flaresim),  and radiation constraint tracking in Scenario Manager.
• Stack design based on flame constraints has been added, including thermal radiation, noise, and exposed surface temperature. Sizing to meet radiation limits at multiple receptors is also supported.
• Symmetry 2020.1 supports importing Flaresim files.
• Symmetry 2020.1 supports including inlet losses in relief valve relieving P calculations.

Field Workspace

• Improvements to the user interface allow for a more streamlined workflow. Bore utility allows easy correction for roads and river crossings; latitude and longitude entry for well locations; and latitude, longitude, and UTM coordinates in the map screen.
• Generic shape file import is supported.  

Other

• New Confined Fluid unit operation performs flash calculations that take into account capillary pressure
• New Boiler unit operation has been added.
• New unit operation for Property Reconciliation to match specified data by adjusting the molecular composition of a stream has been added
• Single- and double-acting cylinder actions are now available in the Reciprocating Compressor unit operation.
• Pinch Analysis unit operation now tracks multiple pinch points.
• The HTRI link is now supported in 64-bit Symmetry platform.
• Bath heater unit operation can solve in efficiency mode to avoid mechanical data requirements.
• Burner unit operation can now be recognized from the feed if a Gibbs Energy minimization flash is necessary. There is also support for hydrocarbons in the oxidant stream as well as steam injection into the combustion chamber.
• Fired heater unit operation can now handle operating conditions where there is a temperature pinch.

A full and detailed list of all new features, improvements, and fixes is available in the What's New document in the Symmetry platform installation.