ACSL Optimise

• Brief description

  ACSL Optimize gives the user robust parameter estimation, optimisation, and sensitivity analysis capabilities, that are critical to solving the most complex applied mathematical problems. Its parameter estimation module tests a non-linear model against experimental data or estimates model parameters that are difficult or impossible to measure directly.
  
  Parameter Estimation When running parameter estimation the user has complete control over the model. He is able to:
  - Choose the parameter estimation method
  - Select the model output variables to fit experimental data.
  - Set the error model parameters or have ACSL Optimize find the most likely one
  - Select the model input variables to be adjusted
  - Set constraints on the adjustable parameters
  - Identify the number of experiments to perform Optimisation ACSL. Optimize uses the two most robust optimisation methods: Nelder-Mead and Generalised Reduced Gradient.
  
  Sensitivity Analysis ACSL Optimise calculates sensitivity coefficients which are the partial derivatives of model responses with respect to model parameters. ACSL Optimize implements two methods of calculating sensitivity coefficients: the direct method and the finite difference method.

• Product specification

  Supplier: Rapid Data Ltd, Amelia House, Crescent Road, Worthing, BN11 1RL, UK telephone: +44 1903 821266, telefax: +44 1903 820762, email: ole@radata.demon.co.uk, contact: Ole Sorensen home page: http://www.radata.demon.co.uk
  
  Hardware: PC 486, SUN/HP workstation, 8 Mb RAM, VGA, 10 Mb hard disk, mathematical coprocessor, network possibilities
  
  User-friendliness: The program is menu driven, standard examples are present, calculations can be stored, the database for apparatus/unit operations can be manipulated, correlation methods are available, results can be presented as text (report), tables or graphics. Output of other software can be used as input, communication with external databases is possible.
  
  Time to learn: 2 - 3 days for a beginner
  
  Manual: installation guide, user manual, reference and technical manual and tutorials are available (English)
  
  Users: more than 50, food processing industry, oil industry, chemical industry, energy supply, engineering firms etc
  
  Services: on-line help, hot line (phone and email, see above), updates, maintenance, field engineer, training facilities

Aspen Plus

• Brief description

  Aspen Plus (version 9.0) is a software package ('flowsheeter') for the simulation and optimization of static processes. The program is suitable for all types of process industry.

• Product specification

  From: Roeterink, H.J.H., Stikkelman, R.M., Hulpmiddelen voor procesintegratie, Inventarisatie en classificatie (Gebruikersrapport, eerste uitgave), 1995
  
  Supplier:ASPENTECH EUROPE NV Colonel Bourgstraat 127-129 1140 Brussels Belgium telephone: + 32-2-7269303 telefax: + 32-2-7269764 home page: http://www.aspentech.com/pspsd/aspenpls.htm
  
  Hardware:PC 386/coprocessor or 486 workstation: RS- 6000, HP 9000, VAX, main frame: CRAY, 8000 kb RAM, 125 Mb hard disk, VGA, mouse, key lock, network option
  
  User-friendliness:The program is menu driven, has a database and library with models of units, its calculations can be stored and the calculation results can be presented as text (report), tables or figures.
  
  Time to learn: two to three days (job experience: beginner, computer experience: beginner)
  
  Manual: available (English)
  
  Users: more than 50, from industry (research), engineering firms and universities
  
  First release: 1981
  
  Services: on-line help, hotline, updates, add-on packages, maintenance, field engineer, training facilities

Hextran

• Brief description

  Hextran exists of three 'parts': targeting, synthesis and simulation/optimization of heat exchanger networks.

• Product specification

  Home page of supplier: http://www.simsci.com