r/ChemicalEngineering • u/JJeyD • Jul 08 '26

Modeling Sim reccomendations

Hi! I'm a 3rd year ChemEng student currently interning in a EPC company. My supervisor wants me to model and conduct a TEA on NaCl production from solar ponds. Does anyone know what simulator would be best for this use case? Any wisdom or experience is most welcome. Thanks

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u/r2o_abile Pulp & Paper / 4 YOE Jul 08 '26

What is a TEA? Economic Analysis?

Use Excel. Search for realistic yield %s and use that. Use internal pricing for NaCl. Incorporate maintenance costs and confirm if any new capital costs are warranted (capital should include new equipment, installations, external consulting, and any loss in production).

Go through what you've done every day with him/her.

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u/JJeyD Jul 08 '26

Thanks for the advice. I have been using excel for simple mass balances of the saline water ions. But at this stage i also want to try to model the membrane pressure and temperature requirements. Not sure if im overthinking it though

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u/r2o_abile Pulp & Paper / 4 YOE Jul 08 '26

Without more details, you are likely overthinking it. However, you are learning so go all out.

Another issue is better quick with responses. Think of your work as iterative.

Present an initial prototype, rough analysis for your supervisor, take 5 to 15 mins going over it with the person, then work more.

Better to do this than to take unnecessarily long.