Project Synopsis
Development of process models using ExtendSim, an off-the-shelf simulation software suite for multiple projects involving both chemical and mechanical processing.
Project Summary
The client is a government facility with a mission of nuclear deterrence, global security, naval reactors, and technology development and transfer. Process Engineering Associates, LLC (PROCESS) led the development of process models using ExtendSim, an off-the-shelf simulation software suite PROCESS performed this type work for multiple projects involving both chemical and mechanical processing. These projects ranged from single systems to multi-billion-dollar Congressional line-item projects (the Uranium Processing Facility and the Lithium Processing Facility) and enabled the client to make critical investment and operating decisions.
Specific tasks for these projects included:
- Determination of the equipment set needed to achieve manufacturing throughput requirements for systems with equipment sets ranging from 10 to hundreds of major pieces of equipment
- Evaluation of system capacity by determining bottleneck processes
- Assessment of processing schedules for multiple product streams over multiple years
- Optimization of processes by examination of parameter sensitivity
- Analysis of random down-time impact to determine maintenance schedules and spare parts
- Determine inventory levels for in-process storage and in-process materials (quantification and optimization)
- Sizing of specialized work crews to perform operations
- Documentation of software requirements and testing.
In the execution of these tasks, PROCESS tapped into their in-depth knowledge of chemical systems and equipment used in uranium and lithium processing.
Industry Type
Nuclear Materials Processing
Utilized Skills
- Discrete event industrial manufacturing modeling
- Process evaluation and optimization.