Modeling and Simulation in Chemical Engineering Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Dr. Franks (Dupont, retired) wrote his classic to demonstrate a systematic method of developing a (near) computer platform independent mathematical modeling library of routines to solve unsteady state chemical engineering problems. The book focuses initially on the types of models that can be readily solved, and the thought process used to create such models. Emphasis is placed on the use of engineering first principles to build deterministic systems.
Routines for solving systems of algebraic and differential equations are first developed, with others to display a time-based 'table' of the simulation results. The second half of the book develops his DYFLO routines for single, staged or distributed unit operations, with many diagrams and examples. In the later chapters, partial differential equations and process control models are developed.
Dr. Franks has been referred to as the "Father of Simulation", and after building some of his many examples, I believe that the phrase is quite appropriate. I first bought this book in 1973, but did the most work with it after the availability of personal computers. It was amazing. The simulations changed the way I thought about unit operations, engineering problem solving, and process control simulations. This thought process shaped the modeling framework that I was developing (building, and tuning interactive process control simulations).
The source code in Modeling and Simulation is provided in FORTRAN IV, which was the current engineering language 'standard'. It is quite compact, again to run on the machines of that time. I found that it was relatively straight-forward (albeit that you will need some other reference books) to convert to other languages in order to use the interpreters/compilers of choice.
I rate this book 4 stars instead of 5 because : 1) it's too expensive and, 2) the FORTRAN IV code and it's structure is dated. The programs needs to be commented and rewritten both more linearly and in a current language such as DELPHI, VB or C++ Builder (or Visual C++). You can sort it out if you are an experienced programmer, but the programs need to be restructured. This book desperately needs to provide at least a CD with the source code.
A company called QMC appears to offer a Windows 95/98 simulation framework for many of Dr. Frank's examples, and many other models and simulations.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Modeling and Simulation in Chemical Engineering

Click here for more information about Modeling and Simulation in Chemical Engineering