LAPSE:2026.0385
Published Article
LAPSE:2026.0385
ProcessSimulator.jl: A Symbolic-Numeric Open-Source Framework for Process Simulation in Julia Language
June 12, 2026
Abstract
This paper presents ProcessSimulator.jl, an open-source process simulation framework built in Julia that combines acausal, equation-oriented modelling with seamless integration of procedural code. The framework leverages ModelingToolkit.jl to enable modular construction of unit operations using symbolic-numeric representations, facilitating the extension of models with advanced thermodynamics, kinetics, and data-driven components. Inspired by the ModuSim concept [3], ProcessSimulator.jl introduces an extensible control-volume abstraction and connector-based composition at the unit-operation level. A steady-state CSTR case study is presented and compared against Aspen Plus, showing good agreement in key variables. The results demonstrate the feasibility of a flexible, open, and composable process simulation paradigm for research and education.
This paper presents ProcessSimulator.jl, an open-source process simulation framework built in Julia that combines acausal, equation-oriented modelling with seamless integration of procedural code. The framework leverages ModelingToolkit.jl to enable modular construction of unit operations using symbolic-numeric representations, facilitating the extension of models with advanced thermodynamics, kinetics, and data-driven components. Inspired by the ModuSim concept [3], ProcessSimulator.jl introduces an extensible control-volume abstraction and connector-based composition at the unit-operation level. A steady-state CSTR case study is presented and compared against Aspen Plus, showing good agreement in key variables. The results demonstrate the feasibility of a flexible, open, and composable process simulation paradigm for research and education.
Record ID
Keywords
Acausal Modeling, Julia Language, Modularisation, Open Source Software, Process Simulation
Subject
Suggested Citation
Santana VV, Rackauckas CV, Nogueira I. ProcessSimulator.jl: A Symbolic-Numeric Open-Source Framework for Process Simulation in Julia Language. Systems and Control Transactions 5:1439-1444 (2026) https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.196005
Author Affiliations
Santana VV: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Trondheim, Norway
Rackauckas CV: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, JuliaLab, Boston, USA. JuliaHub, Boston, USA
Nogueira I: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Trondheim, Norway
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Rackauckas CV: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, JuliaLab, Boston, USA. JuliaHub, Boston, USA
Nogueira I: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Trondheim, Norway
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Journal Name
Systems and Control Transactions
Volume
5
First Page
1439
Last Page
1444
Year
2026
Publication Date
2026-06-12
Version Comments
Original Submission
Other Meta
PII: 1439-1444-618-SCT-5-2026, Publication Type: Journal Article
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Published Article
LAPSE:2026.0385
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https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.196005
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[v1] (Original Submission)
Jun 12, 2026
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Jun 12, 2026
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References Cited
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