Process Engineering
Modelling and Simulation Services
Clearstone has developed its own proprietary process simulator, which has been used in variety of standard and specialize engineering applications including the following:
Flowsheet modelling of process operations.
Modelling of transient pipeline decompression characteristics (e.g., blowdown systems and pipeline ruptures). This has included studies for major energy pipeline companies and international oil and natural gas companies, as well as a collaborative study with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on CO₂ pipeline safety.
Pipeline hydraulic studies.
Fluid property predictions (CSThermoLib).
Dynamic modelling of vapour control systems (VaporSIM).
Simulation of engine performance (i.e., for internal combustion reciprocating engines and micro, aero derivative and heavy-duty/industrial gas turbines) as a function of the load, metrological conditions, fuel specifications and make and model of engine.
Process optimization.
Additionally, Clearstone has developed a tool, CSimOnline, for refined process design and analysis. It provides robust optimization algorithms for optimizing a basic process flowsheet design (e.g., number of trains, equipment sizing and applied unit operation technologies) and operating conditions based on a full project life-cycle analysis. Specific factors considered by the analysis include flowrate variability, production decline rates, equipment turndown capacities and performance curves, capital and operating costs, a full range of economic analysis parameters (e.g., commodity pricing, royalties, discount rates, taxes, duties, carbon taxes, and inflation), and environmental emissions. This all done in a single integrated environment. CSimOnline enables fast-tracking of the techno-economic studies and the frontend engineering design process of greenfield applications. It optimizes and automatically cycles through all applicable control options to determine the best solution.
Process Testing and Monitoring Services
Clearstone also has a wide section of specialized testing equipment that can be used to conduct performance tests of process equipment and systems as well as to inform root-cause analyses. Our inventory of testing solutions includes portable instrumentation with wireless communication and data logging capabilities through to custom SCADA solutions with secure real-time web-based posting of monitoring results. The types of parameters that can be monitored include temperature, pressure, liquid flowrate, gas flowrate, liquid level, process and flue gas compositions, and tracer gas concentration. A range of technologies are maintained to provide solutions that can be implemented without requiring s system shutdown. Our gas analysis include field deployable gas chromatographs (FID, TCD, DID, and tunable filter spectroscopy), mass spectrometer, electrochemical sensors and cavity ring-down spectrometers (e.g., for CO₂, CH₄, O₂, CO, NO, N₂O, H₂S and NH₃).
Development of Engineering Standards and Best Practices
Clearstone has develop engineering design standards, best practices for both industry and government. This included topics such as design or safe vapour control systems, flare management, VOC emissions control, fuel management, measurement of vented and flared volumes, and emissions management.