DWSIM Tutorials¶
Welcome to the DWSIM tutorial collection. Each tutorial guides you through a complete simulation, with working code in FluentAPI (Python) and MCP Server (JSON-RPC) so you can automate every step.
How to Use These Tutorials¶
Every tutorial includes:
- A process overview explaining the engineering context
- A process flow diagram (Mermaid) showing the flowsheet layout
- Step-by-step instructions with two automation paths:
- FluentAPI (Python) for scripting and batch automation
- MCP Server for AI-assisted simulation via JSON-RPC prompts
- Screenshots showing what you should see in the DWSIM desktop application
- Exercises to deepen your understanding
Tutorial Tracks¶
Beginner¶
Start here if you are new to DWSIM or process simulation.
| # | Tutorial | Key Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Your First Simulation | Creating a flowsheet, adding compounds, choosing a property package |
| 2 | Mixer Basics | Material streams, mixer, solving, reading results |
| 3 | Heater and Cooler | Energy streams, heat duty, temperature specification |
| 4 | Simple Flash Drum | Two-phase flash, vapor fraction, separator |
Intermediate¶
For users comfortable with basics, ready to explore complex operations.
| # | Tutorial | Key Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Distillation Column | Rigorous column, stages, condenser/reboiler specs |
| 2 | Heat Exchanger Design | LMTD, UA, counter-current exchange |
| 3 | Reaction Systems | Conversion, equilibrium, and Gibbs reactors |
| 4 | Recycle Loops | Tear streams, convergence strategies |
| 5 | Phase Envelope | PT diagrams, bubble/dew curves, critical point |
Advanced¶
Complete industrial process simulations.
| # | Tutorial | Industrial Process |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Refrigeration Cycle | Propane (R-290) vapor-compression refrigeration |
| 2 | Ammonia Synthesis | Haber-Bosch: compression, equilibrium reactor, separator |
| 3 | Benzene/Toluene Separation | Binary aromatic distillation |
| 4 | Natural Gas Processing | Multi-component dew point control |
| 5 | Ethanol Plant | Fermentation and purification |
| 6 | Reverse Osmosis | Membrane desalination |
| 7 | Methanol Synthesis | Syngas-to-methanol with recycle |
New Features¶
Explore DWSIM's latest capabilities.
| Tutorial | Feature |
|---|---|
| Techno-Economic Analysis | CAPEX, OPEX, NPV, IRR, payback period |
| Life Cycle Assessment | GWP, acidification, eutrophication |
| AI Assistant | Natural-language simulation assistance |
| Phase Envelope | PT/PH/TS diagrams and lookups |
Prerequisites¶
- DWSIM installed (v10.0+)
- Python 3.9+ with the FluentAPI package, OR an MCP-compatible client (Claude Code, etc.)
- Basic knowledge of chemical engineering (experiment-level understanding is enough)
Reference¶
- Property Packages Guide - which thermodynamic model to use and when
- Troubleshooting - common issues and how to fix them