New in Version 7

New & Improved Microsoft Excel Integration

• Improved keyword based method for importing model changes from an Excel Worksheet

  • Use the included template Worksheet to quickly and easily define model changes

  • Change multiple scenarios at once

  • For a detailed description see Importing From Excel

• New feature for directly exporting specified Output data to new or existing Excel Workbooks.

  • Export only the data that is desired - no need to sort through unnecessary data

  • Specify exactly where the data will end up - insert data into a pre-formatted Workbook

  • Automatically export after a model run

  • Export data from multiple scenarios with a batch run

  • For a detailed description see Exporting To Excel

New Isometric Drawing Mode

• New Isometric Pipe Drawing Mode

  • Show and Snap to an isometric grid on the Workspace

  • View models in an intuitive "3D" layout, and easily build from existing isometric drawings

NIST REFPROP Fluid Database Now Included

• Over 150 fluids from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties Database (REFPROP) Version 10

  • Select a NIST REFPROP fluid directly in System Properties

  • Use accurate and complete fluid information in your models without the need to locate and enter fluid properties manually

Improved Compressor/Fan Window

• New Fan Model

  • Clarifies the specification of fans

  • Includes Fan Curve and Sizing options

• New Positive Displacement Compressor Model

  • Clarifies the specification of Positive Displacement Compressors

• Added Compressor Curve and Sizing Analysis Types to Centrifugal Compressor Model

  • Clarifies required data and model intention

  • For a detailed description see Compressor/Fan Properties Window

New Thermal Models

• Two new Heat Transfer Models for Pipes

  • Convective Heat Transfer With Heat Tracing - model the addition of heat between a pipe wall and an insulation layer

  • Buried Pipe - model the thermal effects of burying a pipe

• Calculate a Forced Convection Coefficient from ambient fluid velocity and temperature with the Churchill-Bernstein correlation

Improved Startup Window

• Improvements to the capability and usability of the Startup Window

  • Set modeling preferences including - active modules, working fluid, units, language, 2D or Isometric drawing mode, and default pipe material

  • Displayed units can now be easily refined by selecting Common Units and Industry-Specific Units

New Integration with Common Piping Layout formats

• Save modeling time by importing existing Piping Layouts from various neutral file types

  • Import CAESAR II Neutal Files (.cii)

  • Import Piping Component Files (.pcf)

  • Import and Export EPANET Files (.inp)

  • These common file formats are generated from many common engineering programs such as AutoCAD Plant 3D, SmartPlant, PDS, CadWorx, and many more.

Updated Standards

• Output displays Applied Standards - standards that were used in calculation of model results

• Relief Valve loss can be specified with Designation Size per API 526 - Flanged Steel Pressure Relief Valves

More Improvements

• General

  • Many new default Pipe Materials

  • Control Valve setting for Always Control (Never Fail) can be set to a default to off

  • Increased the loading speed for large models

• Workspace

  • The Workspace background color can be changed based on the level of the current scenario - additional levels have been added

  • Annotation background opacity can be changed

  • New keyboard shortcuts to zoom (CTRL + +/-) and pan (CTRL + arrow keys) the Workspace

  • Full Scenario Path Name can be copied to clipboard by right-clicking a scenario

  • Selection box visually indicates the behavior of the selection - select everything intersecting (right to left) or only objects completely inside (left to right)

  • Pipes with Fittings & Losses defined now display a special character next to their number (default of &)

• Output

  • Design Alerts can be created directly from the Output by right-clicking on a result - immediately select the appropriate object and parameter

• Model Data

  • Quickly locate a specific object on the Workspace by right-clicking the item in Model Data

  • Added additional parameters such as insulation thickness

• Visual Report

  • Reworked Display Option controls for Pipes and Junctions in Visual Report Control