Other modelling tools: Difference between revisions
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Here is a (probably incomplete) list of related software that does some or all of [[ASCEND_overview|what ASCEND aims to do]]. '''''Please, feel free to add to, or update, this list'''''. | Here is a (probably incomplete) list of related software that does some or all of [[ASCEND_overview|what ASCEND aims to do]]. '''''Please, feel free to add to, or update, this list'''''. | ||
Some further software tools are listed at | Some further software tools are listed at http://www.idsia.ch/~andrea/sim/simtools.html | ||
== Free and Open Source Software == | == Free and Open Source Software == | ||
| Line 11: | Line 9: | ||
A partial java implementation of the Modelica language, support for [[IPOPT]], Python and C APIs. Interesting! | A partial java implementation of the Modelica language, support for [[IPOPT]], Python and C APIs. Interesting! | ||
http://www.jmodelica.org/ | |||
=== Scicos / SciLab === | === Scicos / SciLab === | ||
| Line 17: | Line 15: | ||
Scicos is a free clone of Simulink. Arguably not suited for process engineering style problems (although [http://www.scicos.org/scicosmodelica.html this might be changing]). Good for control and electrical problems. | Scicos is a free clone of Simulink. Arguably not suited for process engineering style problems (although [http://www.scicos.org/scicosmodelica.html this might be changing]). Good for control and electrical problems. | ||
* http://www.scicos.org/ | |||
* http://www.scilab.org/ | |||
* | |||
* | |||
=== fREEDA === | === fREEDA === | ||
| Line 27: | Line 23: | ||
* | * http://www.freeda.org/ | ||
=== DWSIM === | === DWSIM === | ||
| Line 33: | Line 29: | ||
Steady state sequential-modular simulator written in VB.net. | Steady state sequential-modular simulator written in VB.net. | ||
* http://dwsim.inforside.com.br/ | |||
* | * http://sourceforge.net/projects/dwsim | ||
* | |||
=== GNU Octave === | === GNU Octave === | ||
| Line 41: | Line 36: | ||
Free MATLAB clone | Free MATLAB clone | ||
* http://www.octave.org/ | |||
* | * http://octave.sourceforge.net/ | ||
* | |||
=== SciPy === | === SciPy === | ||
| Line 49: | Line 43: | ||
Aims to partly clone MATLAB but within the Python interpreter. Includes many high-level scientific computing routines, plotting, etc. | Aims to partly clone MATLAB but within the Python interpreter. Includes many high-level scientific computing routines, plotting, etc. | ||
* http://www.scipy.org/ | |||
* | |||
=== ColSim === | === ColSim === | ||
| Line 56: | Line 49: | ||
Aimed primarily at solving solar thermal collector models. Appears to be sequential modular in nature. Includes a SIMULINK-style block diagram GUI based on XFIG. | Aimed primarily at solving solar thermal collector models. Appears to be sequential modular in nature. Includes a SIMULINK-style block diagram GUI based on XFIG. | ||
* http://www.colsim.org/ | |||
* | |||
=== Ptolemy === | === Ptolemy === | ||
| Line 63: | Line 55: | ||
Ptolemy II is a heterogeneous modelling environment written in Java, with a GUI called Virgil. | Ptolemy II is a heterogeneous modelling environment written in Java, with a GUI called Virgil. | ||
* http://ptolemy.eecs.berkeley.edu/ | |||
* | * http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/Pubs/TechRpts/2007/EECS-2007-129.pdf | ||
* | |||
== Licensing TBD == | == Licensing TBD == | ||
| Line 75: | Line 66: | ||
OpenModelica still lacks functionality sufficient for modelling of thermo-fluid systems as can be done using the Modelica language using the commercial solver Dymola. | OpenModelica still lacks functionality sufficient for modelling of thermo-fluid systems as can be done using the Modelica language using the commercial solver Dymola. | ||
* http://www.ida.liu.se/~pelab/modelica/OpenModelica.html | |||
* | |||
A GUI called SimForge is under development, in Java: | A GUI called SimForge is under development, in Java: | ||
* <a href="https://trac.elet.polimi.it/simforge/" class="external free" title="https://trac.elet.polimi.it/simforge/" rel="nofollow">https://trac.elet.polimi.it/simforge/</a> | * <a href="https://trac.elet.polimi.it/simforge/" class="external free" title="https://trac.elet.polimi.it/simforge/" rel="nofollow">https://trac.elet.polimi.it/simforge/</a> | ||
| Line 91: | Line 80: | ||
Products developed Kirk Abbott, who did his PhD on ASCEND. He is considering opening up the source code, or he might even send it to you if you're nice. | Products developed Kirk Abbott, who did his PhD on ASCEND. He is considering opening up the source code, or he might even send it to you if you're nice. | ||
http://www.daxpy.com | |||
=== masaccio === | === masaccio === | ||
http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/~tah/Publications/masaccio.html | |||
=== CHARON === | === CHARON === | ||
http://www.cis.upenn.edu/mobies/charon/ | |||
=== FMS (Flexible Modelling System) === | === FMS (Flexible Modelling System) === | ||
| Line 108: | Line 94: | ||
Licensing situation is not clear, old code hosted at SourceForge, new code at National Oceanic and Atomspheric Administration (US Govt). | Licensing situation is not clear, old code hosted at SourceForge, new code at National Oceanic and Atomspheric Administration (US Govt). | ||
* http://sourceforge.net/projects/fms/ | |||
* | |||
* <a href="https://fms.gfdl.noaa.gov/" class="external free" title="https://fms.gfdl.noaa.gov/" rel="nofollow">https://fms.gfdl.noaa.gov/</a> | * <a href="https://fms.gfdl.noaa.gov/" class="external free" title="https://fms.gfdl.noaa.gov/" rel="nofollow">https://fms.gfdl.noaa.gov/</a> | ||
| Line 119: | Line 104: | ||
* | * http://www.enq.ufrgs.br/alsoc/download/ | ||
* | * http://www.enq.ufrgs.br/trac/alsoc/wiki/EMSO | ||
=== DNA === | === DNA === | ||
| Line 126: | Line 111: | ||
This is a fairly basic 'small language' by Brian Elmegaard for modelling energy systems including turbines, boilers, condensers, pumps, etc. Actually the source code is included with the installer, but I'm not sure of the license conditions. | This is a fairly basic 'small language' by Brian Elmegaard for modelling energy systems including turbines, boilers, condensers, pumps, etc. Actually the source code is included with the installer, but I'm not sure of the license conditions. | ||
http://www.et.web.mek.dtu.dk/software/dna/ | |||
=== WinDali === | === WinDali === | ||
http://www.et.web.mek.dtu.dk/WinDali/Index.html | |||
=== COCO === | === COCO === | ||
| Line 138: | Line 121: | ||
A bunch of components implementing the various APIs of the CAPE-OPEN simulator. It's resolutely closed-source. | A bunch of components implementing the various APIs of the CAPE-OPEN simulator. It's resolutely closed-source. | ||
http://www.cocosimulator.org/ | |||
== Commercial Software == | == Commercial Software == | ||
| Line 146: | Line 128: | ||
[http://www.ampl.com/ AMPL] has its own modelling language for describing various large-scale optimisation and mathematical programming problems, and a wide range of solvers have been interfaced. There is a trial version that will solve up to 300 variables. | [http://www.ampl.com/ AMPL] has its own modelling language for describing various large-scale optimisation and mathematical programming problems, and a wide range of solvers have been interfaced. There is a trial version that will solve up to 300 variables. | ||
=== Aspen HySys === | === Aspen HySys === | ||
| Line 152: | Line 133: | ||
Major process simulator from Aspen Tech. Seems to be focussed on oil & gas production, gas processing, petroleum refining, and air separation industries. Not clear to what extent if any the core engine is different from Aspen HySys. Includes optimization capabilities. | Major process simulator from Aspen Tech. Seems to be focussed on oil & gas production, gas processing, petroleum refining, and air separation industries. Not clear to what extent if any the core engine is different from Aspen HySys. Includes optimization capabilities. | ||
http://www.aspentech.com/hysys/ | |||
=== Aspen Plus === | === Aspen Plus === | ||
| Line 159: | Line 139: | ||
Process simulator from Aspen Tech. Seems to be focussed on chemical, polymer, specialty chemical, metals and minerals, and coal power industries. Not clear to what extent if any the core engine is different from Aspen HySys. | Process simulator from Aspen Tech. Seems to be focussed on chemical, polymer, specialty chemical, metals and minerals, and coal power industries. Not clear to what extent if any the core engine is different from Aspen HySys. | ||
http://www.aspentech.com/products/aspen-plus.cfm | |||
| Line 166: | Line 146: | ||
A clone of <a href="#STELLA" title="">STELLA</a> with a quite-nice GUI, frequency-domain analysis, bifurcation analysis,... Doesn't look like a system suitable for really large-scale models though. | A clone of <a href="#STELLA" title="">STELLA</a> with a quite-nice GUI, frequency-domain analysis, bifurcation analysis,... Doesn't look like a system suitable for really large-scale models though. | ||
http://www.berkeleymadonna.com/ | |||
=== Dymola === | === Dymola === | ||
| Line 174: | Line 152: | ||
Implements the Modelica langauge. | Implements the Modelica langauge. | ||
http://www.dynasim.com/ | |||
=== Ebsilon === | === Ebsilon === | ||
| Line 181: | Line 158: | ||
General purpose graphical process simulation program with apparently good support for power generation applications (coal power, condensers, boilers, turbines, etc). Currently being actively promoted on the conference circuit. | General purpose graphical process simulation program with apparently good support for power generation applications (coal power, condensers, boilers, turbines, etc). Currently being actively promoted on the conference circuit. | ||
http://www.evonik-systemtechnologies.de/ketek/eprodukte_und_leistungen__ebsilon.aspx | |||
=== EcoSim Pro === | === EcoSim Pro === | ||
| Line 188: | Line 164: | ||
ODE and DAE simulation too. Possibly doesn't include NLA, NLP simulation. Seems to handle conditional variables in dynamic models (bouncing ball demo). Seems to have a good range of model libraries for fluid flow, control, power cycles, but more limited support for process modelling. | ODE and DAE simulation too. Possibly doesn't include NLA, NLP simulation. Seems to handle conditional variables in dynamic models (bouncing ball demo). Seems to have a good range of model libraries for fluid flow, control, power cycles, but more limited support for process modelling. | ||
http://www.ecosimpro.com/ | |||
=== EES === | === EES === | ||
Commercial equation solver, includes support for units of measurement and has procedural/function support. Does not include the same support for hierarchical modelling that ASCEND has, AFAICT. But a very comprehensive program, can be tightly integrated with TRNSYS, is used as the 'standard' in textbooks by Nellis and Klein and Cengel on Heat Transfer and Thermodynamics, and possibly others. | Commercial equation solver, includes support for units of measurement and has procedural/function support. Does not include the same support for hierarchical modelling that ASCEND has, AFAICT. But a very comprehensive program, can be tightly integrated with TRNSYS, is used as the 'standard' in textbooks by Nellis and Klein and Cengel on Heat Transfer and Thermodynamics, and possibly others. | ||
=== GAMS === | === GAMS === | ||
| Line 202: | Line 176: | ||
No particular support for engineering-specific features, no support for units of measurement. | No particular support for engineering-specific features, no support for units of measurement. | ||
http://www.gams.com | |||
=== gPROMS === | === gPROMS === | ||
| Line 209: | Line 182: | ||
For both dynamic and steady-state simulations | For both dynamic and steady-state simulations | ||
http://www.psenterprise.com/gproms/ | |||
=== Interactive Thermodynamics === | === Interactive Thermodynamics === | ||
An educational equation solver including support for the calculation of thermodynamic properties, referred to in the textbook by Moran & Shapiro. Not sure to what extent it is aimed for broader use. | An educational equation solver including support for the calculation of thermodynamic properties, referred to in the textbook by Moran & Shapiro. Not sure to what extent it is aimed for broader use. | ||
=== IPSEpro === | === IPSEpro === | ||
| Line 222: | Line 192: | ||
With new model components for solar thermal energy systems by Jurgen Rheinländer. SimTech attended the recent SolarPACES 2009 conference. | With new model components for solar thermal energy systems by Jurgen Rheinländer. SimTech attended the recent SolarPACES 2009 conference. | ||
http://www.simtechnology.com/IPSEpro/english/IPSEpro.php | |||
=== Pro/II === | === Pro/II === | ||
* | * http://ips.invensys.com/en/products/processdesign/Pages/Pro-II-P004.aspx | ||
=== ProMax === | === ProMax === | ||
* | * http://www.bre.com/promax.aspx] | ||
=== Simulink / MATLAB === | === Simulink / MATLAB === | ||
| Line 237: | Line 206: | ||
Simulink seems to be a poor choice for many process-flow-diagram type models, because it is oriented more toward signal flow (one direction) than fluid flow (could be any direction), and because there is not support for things like units of measurement, built-in thermodynamic property evaluation, and so on. Having said that, Matlab is a completely flexible and powerful environment for doing numerical work, and if you're willing to 'roll your own' you can model anything you want. Expensive though. | Simulink seems to be a poor choice for many process-flow-diagram type models, because it is oriented more toward signal flow (one direction) than fluid flow (could be any direction), and because there is not support for things like units of measurement, built-in thermodynamic property evaluation, and so on. Having said that, Matlab is a completely flexible and powerful environment for doing numerical work, and if you're willing to 'roll your own' you can model anything you want. Expensive though. | ||
http://www.mathworks.com/products/simulink/] | |||
=== STELLA === | === STELLA === | ||
| Line 244: | Line 212: | ||
Looks to be squarely aimed at the educational market. Looks to have some nice graphics. From Jay Forrester's lab -- the 'pioneer of system dynamics'. | Looks to be squarely aimed at the educational market. Looks to have some nice graphics. From Jay Forrester's lab -- the 'pioneer of system dynamics'. | ||
http://www.iseesystems.com/softwares/Education/StellaSoftware.aspx] | |||
=== SysCAD === | === SysCAD === | ||
| Line 251: | Line 218: | ||
An Australian-based simulator that is used by most of the world's bauxite refineries, according to one of the developers. | An Australian-based simulator that is used by most of the world's bauxite refineries, according to one of the developers. | ||
http://www.syscad.net/] | |||
http://www.transcritical.com/] | |||
=== TkSolver === | === TkSolver === | ||
http://www.uts.us.com/ItemDetails.asp?ItemID=0100-50-0010-00] | |||
=== ThermoFlex === | === ThermoFlex === | ||
http://www.thermoflow.com/SolarThermal.htm] | |||
http://www.thermoflow.com/ConvSteamCycle_TFX.htm] | |||
=== TRNSYS === | === TRNSYS === | ||
| Line 270: | Line 234: | ||
Popular with Solar Thermal Energy researchers and HVAC engineers. Provides a rather low-level 'small language' that can be used to link together arbitrary equations and 'units' from a large library of components such as hot water tanks, thermal collectors, pumps, control valves, weather data, sun position, etc. Performs dynamic simulation and reports results of 'watched' variables. There are two GUI interfaces available that make it quite a bit easier to use. External units can be programmed in Fortran-90. '''Update''' with version 16, external units can be programmed in any language (as long as it's Windows) | Popular with Solar Thermal Energy researchers and HVAC engineers. Provides a rather low-level 'small language' that can be used to link together arbitrary equations and 'units' from a large library of components such as hot water tanks, thermal collectors, pumps, control valves, weather data, sun position, etc. Performs dynamic simulation and reports results of 'watched' variables. There are two GUI interfaces available that make it quite a bit easier to use. External units can be programmed in Fortran-90. '''Update''' with version 16, external units can be programmed in any language (as long as it's Windows) | ||
http://sel.me.wisc.edu/trnsys/] | |||
http://www.trnsys.com/] | |||
=== UniSim === | === UniSim === | ||
| Line 278: | Line 241: | ||
From Honeywell. Appears to be free for non-commercial users. | From Honeywell. Appears to be free for non-commercial users. | ||
http://hpsweb.honeywell.com/Cultures/en-US/Products/ControlApplications/simulation/UniSimDesign/default.htm] | |||
=== VMGSim === | === VMGSim === | ||
| Line 285: | Line 247: | ||
Simulator that seems to have been based on the previously free, open source simulator, Sim42 (see below). Apparently not everyone who was involved was happy about this... | Simulator that seems to have been based on the previously free, open source simulator, Sim42 (see below). Apparently not everyone who was involved was happy about this... | ||
* http://opensource.cheme.info/index.php?topic=14.msg124] | |||
* | * http://www.virtualmaterials.com/node/9] | ||
* | |||
=== WinSim === | === WinSim === | ||
| Line 293: | Line 254: | ||
Steady-state chemical process simulation, distillation, heat exchangers, gas processing, flash, reactors, pipelines, pumps, compressors. GUI-based, Windows only, Excel export interface. Wide range of property correlations for 1000+ chemical species. | Steady-state chemical process simulation, distillation, heat exchangers, gas processing, flash, reactors, pipelines, pumps, compressors. GUI-based, Windows only, Excel export interface. Wide range of property correlations for 1000+ chemical species. | ||
* http://www.winsim.com/] | |||
* | |||
== Defunct == | == Defunct == | ||
| Line 302: | Line 262: | ||
We were recommended to look at Jacobian instead. | We were recommended to look at Jacobian instead. | ||
http://yoric.mit.edu/abacuss2/abacuss2.html] | |||
=== Jacobian === | === Jacobian === | ||
Commercial spinoff of ABACUSS II | Commercial spinoff of ABACUSS II | ||
=== Omola === | === Omola === | ||
| Line 314: | Line 272: | ||
Efforts were moved over onto Dymola/Modelica? | Efforts were moved over onto Dymola/Modelica? | ||
http://www.control.lth.se/~cace/omsim.html] | |||
=== Sim42 === | === Sim42 === | ||
This was an attempt to make a nice modelling environment using the Python language, but the project fell down for reasons that may have been related to the Virtual Materials Group, who took over the website for a while and then ultimately took it offline. It appears that they may have incorporated further Sim42 development into a commercial product (clarifications welcome) | This was an attempt to make a nice modelling environment using the Python language, but the project fell down for reasons that may have been related to the Virtual Materials Group, who took over the website for a while and then ultimately took it offline. It appears that they may have incorporated further Sim42 development into a commercial product (clarifications welcome) | ||
=== SpeedUp === | === SpeedUp === | ||
| Line 326: | Line 282: | ||
Pantelides' program | Pantelides' program | ||
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-32898-13261/unrestricted/ETD.PDF] | |||
[[Category:Documentation] | |||
Revision as of 04:28, 15 June 2010
Here is a (probably incomplete) list of related software that does some or all of what ASCEND aims to do. Please, feel free to add to, or update, this list.
Some further software tools are listed at http://www.idsia.ch/~andrea/sim/simtools.html
Free and Open Source Software
JModelica
A partial java implementation of the Modelica language, support for IPOPT, Python and C APIs. Interesting!
Scicos / SciLab
Scicos is a free clone of Simulink. Arguably not suited for process engineering style problems (although this might be changing). Good for control and electrical problems.
fREEDA
Focussed on electrical networks but includes nonlinear solvers and a 'small language'. Appears to have a fairly well developed GUI now too, based on Qt.
DWSIM
Steady state sequential-modular simulator written in VB.net.
GNU Octave
Free MATLAB clone
SciPy
Aims to partly clone MATLAB but within the Python interpreter. Includes many high-level scientific computing routines, plotting, etc.
ColSim
Aimed primarily at solving solar thermal collector models. Appears to be sequential modular in nature. Includes a SIMULINK-style block diagram GUI based on XFIG.
Ptolemy
Ptolemy II is a heterogeneous modelling environment written in Java, with a GUI called Virgil.
Licensing TBD
OpenModelica
A free implementation of the Modelica language, not yet a complete implementation. Includes an Eclipse-plugin IDE.
OpenModelica still lacks functionality sufficient for modelling of thermo-fluid systems as can be done using the Modelica language using the commercial solver Dymola.
A GUI called SimForge is under development, in Java:
- <a href="https://trac.elet.polimi.it/simforge/" class="external free" title="https://trac.elet.polimi.it/simforge/" rel="nofollow">https://trac.elet.polimi.it/simforge/</a>
A closed-source editor called MathModelica Lite is also available for OpenModelica.
OpenModelica is licensed under an unusual three-way combination of GPLv3 and two kinds of bespoke commercial license.
MPxJava / MPxCsharp
Products developed Kirk Abbott, who did his PhD on ASCEND. He is considering opening up the source code, or he might even send it to you if you're nice.
masaccio
http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/~tah/Publications/masaccio.html
CHARON
http://www.cis.upenn.edu/mobies/charon/
FMS (Flexible Modelling System)
Licensing situation is not clear, old code hosted at SourceForge, new code at National Oceanic and Atomspheric Administration (US Govt).
- http://sourceforge.net/projects/fms/
- <a href="https://fms.gfdl.noaa.gov/" class="external free" title="https://fms.gfdl.noaa.gov/" rel="nofollow">https://fms.gfdl.noaa.gov/</a>
Gratis but not Libre
EMSO
EMSO features a very nice user interface and an easy-to-learn language. It uses SUNDIALS to provide some of its solver functionality but does not seem to provide a fully block-decomposing NLA solver like QRSlv. It includes very nice automatic index reduction and a good plotting interface, and can quite easily link external functions and external solvers, using external DLL/SOs. Can link to a thermo properties library by VMG, via a CAPE-OPEN interface. Their model library is open source, although it has a few binary DLLs in it which are kept closed.
DNA
This is a fairly basic 'small language' by Brian Elmegaard for modelling energy systems including turbines, boilers, condensers, pumps, etc. Actually the source code is included with the installer, but I'm not sure of the license conditions.
http://www.et.web.mek.dtu.dk/software/dna/
WinDali
http://www.et.web.mek.dtu.dk/WinDali/Index.html
COCO
A bunch of components implementing the various APIs of the CAPE-OPEN simulator. It's resolutely closed-source.
Commercial Software
AMPL
AMPL has its own modelling language for describing various large-scale optimisation and mathematical programming problems, and a wide range of solvers have been interfaced. There is a trial version that will solve up to 300 variables.
Aspen HySys
Major process simulator from Aspen Tech. Seems to be focussed on oil & gas production, gas processing, petroleum refining, and air separation industries. Not clear to what extent if any the core engine is different from Aspen HySys. Includes optimization capabilities.
http://www.aspentech.com/hysys/
Aspen Plus
Process simulator from Aspen Tech. Seems to be focussed on chemical, polymer, specialty chemical, metals and minerals, and coal power industries. Not clear to what extent if any the core engine is different from Aspen HySys.
http://www.aspentech.com/products/aspen-plus.cfm
Berkeley Madonna
A clone of <a href="#STELLA" title="">STELLA</a> with a quite-nice GUI, frequency-domain analysis, bifurcation analysis,... Doesn't look like a system suitable for really large-scale models though.
http://www.berkeleymadonna.com/
Dymola
Implements the Modelica langauge.
Ebsilon
General purpose graphical process simulation program with apparently good support for power generation applications (coal power, condensers, boilers, turbines, etc). Currently being actively promoted on the conference circuit.
http://www.evonik-systemtechnologies.de/ketek/eprodukte_und_leistungen__ebsilon.aspx
EcoSim Pro
ODE and DAE simulation too. Possibly doesn't include NLA, NLP simulation. Seems to handle conditional variables in dynamic models (bouncing ball demo). Seems to have a good range of model libraries for fluid flow, control, power cycles, but more limited support for process modelling.
EES
Commercial equation solver, includes support for units of measurement and has procedural/function support. Does not include the same support for hierarchical modelling that ASCEND has, AFAICT. But a very comprehensive program, can be tightly integrated with TRNSYS, is used as the 'standard' in textbooks by Nellis and Klein and Cengel on Heat Transfer and Thermodynamics, and possibly others.
GAMS
NLA, LP and MINLP solver with its own modelling language. The language allows quite concise and readable models, although the syntax uses some funny conventions like =L= for less-than. A wide range of very powerful solvers is available. There is a trial version of some sort.
No particular support for engineering-specific features, no support for units of measurement.
gPROMS
For both dynamic and steady-state simulations
http://www.psenterprise.com/gproms/
Interactive Thermodynamics
An educational equation solver including support for the calculation of thermodynamic properties, referred to in the textbook by Moran & Shapiro. Not sure to what extent it is aimed for broader use.
IPSEpro
With new model components for solar thermal energy systems by Jurgen Rheinländer. SimTech attended the recent SolarPACES 2009 conference.
http://www.simtechnology.com/IPSEpro/english/IPSEpro.php
Pro/II
ProMax
Simulink / MATLAB
Simulink seems to be a poor choice for many process-flow-diagram type models, because it is oriented more toward signal flow (one direction) than fluid flow (could be any direction), and because there is not support for things like units of measurement, built-in thermodynamic property evaluation, and so on. Having said that, Matlab is a completely flexible and powerful environment for doing numerical work, and if you're willing to 'roll your own' you can model anything you want. Expensive though.
http://www.mathworks.com/products/simulink/]
STELLA
Looks to be squarely aimed at the educational market. Looks to have some nice graphics. From Jay Forrester's lab -- the 'pioneer of system dynamics'.
http://www.iseesystems.com/softwares/Education/StellaSoftware.aspx]
SysCAD
An Australian-based simulator that is used by most of the world's bauxite refineries, according to one of the developers.
http://www.syscad.net/] http://www.transcritical.com/]
TkSolver
http://www.uts.us.com/ItemDetails.asp?ItemID=0100-50-0010-00]
ThermoFlex
http://www.thermoflow.com/SolarThermal.htm] http://www.thermoflow.com/ConvSteamCycle_TFX.htm]
TRNSYS
Popular with Solar Thermal Energy researchers and HVAC engineers. Provides a rather low-level 'small language' that can be used to link together arbitrary equations and 'units' from a large library of components such as hot water tanks, thermal collectors, pumps, control valves, weather data, sun position, etc. Performs dynamic simulation and reports results of 'watched' variables. There are two GUI interfaces available that make it quite a bit easier to use. External units can be programmed in Fortran-90. Update with version 16, external units can be programmed in any language (as long as it's Windows)
http://sel.me.wisc.edu/trnsys/] http://www.trnsys.com/]
UniSim
From Honeywell. Appears to be free for non-commercial users.
VMGSim
Simulator that seems to have been based on the previously free, open source simulator, Sim42 (see below). Apparently not everyone who was involved was happy about this...
WinSim
Steady-state chemical process simulation, distillation, heat exchangers, gas processing, flash, reactors, pipelines, pumps, compressors. GUI-based, Windows only, Excel export interface. Wide range of property correlations for 1000+ chemical species.
Defunct
ABACUSS II
We were recommended to look at Jacobian instead.
http://yoric.mit.edu/abacuss2/abacuss2.html]
Jacobian
Commercial spinoff of ABACUSS II
Omola
Efforts were moved over onto Dymola/Modelica?
http://www.control.lth.se/~cace/omsim.html]
Sim42
This was an attempt to make a nice modelling environment using the Python language, but the project fell down for reasons that may have been related to the Virtual Materials Group, who took over the website for a while and then ultimately took it offline. It appears that they may have incorporated further Sim42 development into a commercial product (clarifications welcome)
SpeedUp
Pantelides' program
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-32898-13261/unrestricted/ETD.PDF]
[[Category:Documentation]