DTCE - Design Tools for Chemical Engineers
Books show, spreadsheets show & do

Why Psion Palmtops?

Orientation

Why develop design tools, when powerful simulation packages abound? Well if used properly, packages are very useful for quick design answers, but because they don't explain in detail what they are actually doing, they can be misused. DTCE tools are "show and do" spreadsheets. As a set of primarily reference and educational tools, they supplement design packages. DTCE modules can improve visualization and understanding of the underlying processes. As handy information resources, the modules should enhance the value of the individual engineer.

Don't condemn shortcut correlations because of the availability of more accurate, sophisticated and rigorous techniques. Shortcut techniques are important now and will always be important for the following reasons:-

	They often form the basis for the derivation of more accurate methods - for example, the Peng-Robinson EOQ is an improvement on the original Van De Waal's EOQ.
	Fundamental principles are more often apparent from simpler correlations, and thus the user develops more feel and direction.
	They are useful as starting points for iterative techniques - for example, the use of the Claussius Clapeyron vapour pressure equation in EOQ bubble-point calculations.
	They often have niche applications - such as correlations for the petroleum industry.
	Simple equations are sometimes the only option in network and finite-element problems, where computations are often intensive, and where extrapolation and interpolation points need to be real and easily determined.

DTCE modules are therefore a collection of techniques, some of which are in current use, and some which may become the seeds for some future technique.

Computer Comparison

The latest generations of Psion computers come with a very stable EPOC operating system, and a set of small but powerful applications. The important features for chemical engineers are:-

	The memory-efficient and very easy to use object embedding system that allows the user greater flexibility than with PC software systems. For example, embedding chemical formula in graphic format into text is quick to set up and low in memory use. If Monochromatic limitations are a problem in chemical engineering (99% of all C.E. technical publications are monochromatic), use the Psion S7.
	The wonderful sketching program allows small, simple, sketches and graphs to be created and inserted into text and databases very quickly. For example, process flow sheets can be developed on-the-fly with great speed - often equivalent to the development speed experienced with custom-built packages.
	It is easier to clone software from the Psion spreadsheet to more sophisticated PC spreadsheets like MS Excel, than vice versa.

Compared to a laptop, the Psion is lighter, it lasts longer on a battery charge, it has a smaller footprint, it is pocketable, and it develops smaller file sizes for easy Internet sharing.

S5 in briefcase image laptop in briefcase image

The Psion 5 in the left-hand side picture takes up much less space in the brief case than the laptop, allowing more room for other things.

Purchase a desktop PC and a Psion 5 for the price of a laptop and have the best of all worlds - portability and comfort. Then there is the painful subject of the operating system stability - in my opinion the EPOC system on the Psion is the most reliable and stable system on today's computers. You need this because you depend on this machine for appointment alerts, and when constructing complex notes with embedded sketches and spreadsheets you cannot afford frequent crashes.

For Students

The Psion is perfect for students because working on site is always better than working behind the desk. Type your lecture notes straight into the Psion 5 as you get them, and leave the evenings for revision and entertainment. Add sketches and spreadsheets within your notes. Embed the lecture notes in a database with date stamp and keywords for easy revision.

There is no lecture hall haul. The machine is light and requires no cumbersome AC charger, and the spare batteries are small and easy to carry around. Tutorials are a breeze with your Psion loaded with zipped (RMRzip for the Psion 5) property databases and engineering encyclopaedias.

For Process Engineers and Managers

Meeting alerts, note taking and information from the Internet are all taken care of with this little machine. Check equipment performance in situ. Check simulation packages output. Keep a history of your work wherever you go.

Software Developers and Engineers in R&D

The engineering spreadsheet is an excellent launching platform for more sophisticated packages. Spreadsheets can be more rapidly developed than applications written in Visual Basic or Delphi. Also, the learning curve for the Psion SHEET is typically less than 1 day, compared to about 2 months for Delphi or Visual Basic.

Psion Series 5 Downside

It is not all a bed of roses, since the Psion series 5 has its shortcomings - connection. Connection with the outside world is important to compensate for a computer with comparatively small, expensive memory. The series 5 needs to connect to desktop PCs, printers, mobile phones and the Internet to minimize this deficiency. It does neither of these things very well.

I am particularly concerned with the printer support. Every time a new Psion appears, printer output seems to deteriorate and bug fixes are too few, too late. I guess that Microsoft Windows has a clear lead with printer drivers, and printer manufacturers will only develop their systems for the leading OS, leaving Psion to create its own drivers. It’s a tough world! Whatever the case, there is much work to be done.

Psion inter-application connections also need upgrading. Information transfer between WORD, DATA and SHEET is rough and ragged, rather than smooth and slick. I think that OPL could be the right mortar. (Remember Framework III in those dark, pre-Windows days?)

The gap between PC and palmtop is closing and I believe that there is, now, a case for "Professional" plug-in, enhancements to the ROM-base applications.

Despite it shortcomings, I prefer to do most of my computing on the Psion 5mx, and only use my PC for the Internet and games. The S7 has the potential to completely remove the need for a PC. Let's hope that Psion come up with more novel ideas that will make that happen.

DTCE - Design Tools for Chemical Engineers Books show, spreadsheets show & do