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Utilizing VBA in MS Excel for Simplified Solutions in Chemical Engineering: Single-Effect Evaporator Study

Year 2024, , 261 - 270, 15.03.2024
https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1402065

Abstract

Solutions for an evaporator system involve equations that incorporate both mass and energy balances. Solving equations for a single-effect evaporator is simpler compared to those for multi-effect evaporator systems. However, due to the need for extensive analysis of diverse data from various sources, many prefer using simulation programs for convenience. These programs conduct calculations using their own data libraries, which contain thermodynamic and LLE-VLE data. To emulate the functionality of expensive simulation programs, an alternative interface was designed using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) in MS Excel. In this study, we chose a single-effect evaporator system used for concentrating NaOH solution and solved its equations using a program created in VBA within MS Excel. Moreover, databases for saturated water and superheated steam data were developed within the MS Excel environment to facilitate the program. Ultimately, the program was employed to scrutinize the influence of selected parameters on other parameters, and the results were analyzed. This study serves as an illustration of how VBA in MS Excel can efficiently handle calculations pertaining to chemical engineering processes. By focusing on the single-effect evaporator, this study demonstrates how VBA in Excel can simplify and effectively conduct investigations into chemical engineering process calculations.

References

  • Argo BD, Angky Putranto W, Lestari A, Ramadhan F, Okatavian R. 2020. Multi effect evaporator design calculation for brown sugar production using computational fluid dynamics. Int J Innov Technol Explor Eng, 9(3S): 87-90. https://doi.org/10.35940/ijitee.C1019.0193S20.
  • Boles MA, Cengel YA. 2014. Thermodynamics: An engineering approach. McGraw-Hill Education, New York, US, pp: 1024.
  • Çataltas I. 1963. Tek tesirli evaporatörlerde kütle ve energi bağıntıları. Kimya Müh Derg, 1(5): 31.
  • dos Santos MT, Vianna AS, Le Roux GAC. 2018. Programming skills in the industry 4.0: Are chemical engineering students able to face new problems? Educ Chem Eng, 22: 69-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ece.2018.01.002.
  • Elmas ET. 2017. Evaporation plant for recycling of caustic soda. Int J Eng Technol, 3(3): 176-185.
  • Fricke A, Schöneberger J. 2015. Industrie 4.0 with MS-Excel? Chem Eng Transact, 43: 1303-1308. https://doi.org/10.3303/CET1543218.
  • Geankoplis CJ. 1978. Transport processes and unit operations. Allyn and Bacon Publishing, New York, USA, pp: 650.
  • Geankoplis CJ. 2003. Transport processes and separation process principles: (Includes Unit Operations). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Professional Technical Reference, New York, USA, pp: 1026.
  • Kapuno RR. 2008. Programming for chemical engineers using C, C++, and MATLAB? Jones & Bartlett Learning., New York, US,
  • Karic E, Alic R. 2020. Simulation of a single-stage evaporator system integrated with a mechanical vapor compressor for concentrating the electrolytic system KNO3 – H2O. J Eng Proces Manag, 12(2): 50-56. https://doi.org/10.7251/JEPM2002050K.
  • Microsoft Inc. 2021. VBA Programming in Office. Microsoft Inc. URL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/vba/api/overview/ (accessed date: August 2, 2022).
  • Said A, Louhi-Kultanen M. 2019. Simulation and empirical studies of solvent evaporation rates in vacuum evaporation crystallization. Chem Eng Technol, 42(7): 1452-1457. https://doi.org/10.1002/ceat.201800708.
  • Simpson R, Almonacid S, López D, Abakarov A. 2008. Optimum design and operating conditions of multiple effect evaporators: tomato paste. J Food Eng, 89(4): 488-497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2008.05.033.
  • Teppaitoon W. 2016. Solving L-L extraction problems with excel spreadsheet. Chem Eng Educ, 50(3): 169-175.
  • Wong KWW, Barford JP. 2010. Teaching Excel VBA as a problem solving tool for chemical engineering core courses. Educ Chem Eng, 5(4): e72-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ece.2010.07.002.

Utilizing VBA in MS Excel for Simplified Solutions in Chemical Engineering: Single-Effect Evaporator Study

Year 2024, , 261 - 270, 15.03.2024
https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1402065

Abstract

Solutions for an evaporator system involve equations that incorporate both mass and energy balances. Solving equations for a single-effect evaporator is simpler compared to those for multi-effect evaporator systems. However, due to the need for extensive analysis of diverse data from various sources, many prefer using simulation programs for convenience. These programs conduct calculations using their own data libraries, which contain thermodynamic and LLE-VLE data. To emulate the functionality of expensive simulation programs, an alternative interface was designed using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) in MS Excel. In this study, we chose a single-effect evaporator system used for concentrating NaOH solution and solved its equations using a program created in VBA within MS Excel. Moreover, databases for saturated water and superheated steam data were developed within the MS Excel environment to facilitate the program. Ultimately, the program was employed to scrutinize the influence of selected parameters on other parameters, and the results were analyzed. This study serves as an illustration of how VBA in MS Excel can efficiently handle calculations pertaining to chemical engineering processes. By focusing on the single-effect evaporator, this study demonstrates how VBA in Excel can simplify and effectively conduct investigations into chemical engineering process calculations.

References

  • Argo BD, Angky Putranto W, Lestari A, Ramadhan F, Okatavian R. 2020. Multi effect evaporator design calculation for brown sugar production using computational fluid dynamics. Int J Innov Technol Explor Eng, 9(3S): 87-90. https://doi.org/10.35940/ijitee.C1019.0193S20.
  • Boles MA, Cengel YA. 2014. Thermodynamics: An engineering approach. McGraw-Hill Education, New York, US, pp: 1024.
  • Çataltas I. 1963. Tek tesirli evaporatörlerde kütle ve energi bağıntıları. Kimya Müh Derg, 1(5): 31.
  • dos Santos MT, Vianna AS, Le Roux GAC. 2018. Programming skills in the industry 4.0: Are chemical engineering students able to face new problems? Educ Chem Eng, 22: 69-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ece.2018.01.002.
  • Elmas ET. 2017. Evaporation plant for recycling of caustic soda. Int J Eng Technol, 3(3): 176-185.
  • Fricke A, Schöneberger J. 2015. Industrie 4.0 with MS-Excel? Chem Eng Transact, 43: 1303-1308. https://doi.org/10.3303/CET1543218.
  • Geankoplis CJ. 1978. Transport processes and unit operations. Allyn and Bacon Publishing, New York, USA, pp: 650.
  • Geankoplis CJ. 2003. Transport processes and separation process principles: (Includes Unit Operations). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Professional Technical Reference, New York, USA, pp: 1026.
  • Kapuno RR. 2008. Programming for chemical engineers using C, C++, and MATLAB? Jones & Bartlett Learning., New York, US,
  • Karic E, Alic R. 2020. Simulation of a single-stage evaporator system integrated with a mechanical vapor compressor for concentrating the electrolytic system KNO3 – H2O. J Eng Proces Manag, 12(2): 50-56. https://doi.org/10.7251/JEPM2002050K.
  • Microsoft Inc. 2021. VBA Programming in Office. Microsoft Inc. URL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/vba/api/overview/ (accessed date: August 2, 2022).
  • Said A, Louhi-Kultanen M. 2019. Simulation and empirical studies of solvent evaporation rates in vacuum evaporation crystallization. Chem Eng Technol, 42(7): 1452-1457. https://doi.org/10.1002/ceat.201800708.
  • Simpson R, Almonacid S, López D, Abakarov A. 2008. Optimum design and operating conditions of multiple effect evaporators: tomato paste. J Food Eng, 89(4): 488-497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2008.05.033.
  • Teppaitoon W. 2016. Solving L-L extraction problems with excel spreadsheet. Chem Eng Educ, 50(3): 169-175.
  • Wong KWW, Barford JP. 2010. Teaching Excel VBA as a problem solving tool for chemical engineering core courses. Educ Chem Eng, 5(4): e72-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ece.2010.07.002.
There are 15 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Separation Processes
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Muhammed Bora Akın 0000-0003-3841-1633

Early Pub Date February 26, 2024
Publication Date March 15, 2024
Submission Date December 8, 2023
Acceptance Date February 16, 2024
Published in Issue Year 2024

Cite

APA Akın, M. B. (2024). Utilizing VBA in MS Excel for Simplified Solutions in Chemical Engineering: Single-Effect Evaporator Study. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science, 7(2), 261-270. https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1402065
AMA Akın MB. Utilizing VBA in MS Excel for Simplified Solutions in Chemical Engineering: Single-Effect Evaporator Study. BSJ Eng. Sci. March 2024;7(2):261-270. doi:10.34248/bsengineering.1402065
Chicago Akın, Muhammed Bora. “Utilizing VBA in MS Excel for Simplified Solutions in Chemical Engineering: Single-Effect Evaporator Study”. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science 7, no. 2 (March 2024): 261-70. https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1402065.
EndNote Akın MB (March 1, 2024) Utilizing VBA in MS Excel for Simplified Solutions in Chemical Engineering: Single-Effect Evaporator Study. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science 7 2 261–270.
IEEE M. B. Akın, “Utilizing VBA in MS Excel for Simplified Solutions in Chemical Engineering: Single-Effect Evaporator Study”, BSJ Eng. Sci., vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 261–270, 2024, doi: 10.34248/bsengineering.1402065.
ISNAD Akın, Muhammed Bora. “Utilizing VBA in MS Excel for Simplified Solutions in Chemical Engineering: Single-Effect Evaporator Study”. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science 7/2 (March 2024), 261-270. https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1402065.
JAMA Akın MB. Utilizing VBA in MS Excel for Simplified Solutions in Chemical Engineering: Single-Effect Evaporator Study. BSJ Eng. Sci. 2024;7:261–270.
MLA Akın, Muhammed Bora. “Utilizing VBA in MS Excel for Simplified Solutions in Chemical Engineering: Single-Effect Evaporator Study”. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science, vol. 7, no. 2, 2024, pp. 261-70, doi:10.34248/bsengineering.1402065.
Vancouver Akın MB. Utilizing VBA in MS Excel for Simplified Solutions in Chemical Engineering: Single-Effect Evaporator Study. BSJ Eng. Sci. 2024;7(2):261-70.

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