System and method for efficient computation of simulated thermodynamic property and phase equilibrium characteristics using comprehensive local property models

1. A computer implemented method of estimating a thermophysical property of a fluid in an operational industrial process or simulated industrial process using a local model, comprising:

receiving, using a computer system, specified values for parameters of the fluid and providing the specified values to the local model;

generating, using the computer system, for use within the local model, a series expansion of thermodynamic equations relating to the thermophysical property and one or more derivatives involving the thermophysical property;

evaluating, using the computer system, based upon a set of specified values for parameters of the fluid, a first order term of the series expansion and a second order term of the series expansion;

comparing, using the computer system, values of the first order term and the second order term;

automatically updating, using the computer system, a value of the thermophysical property when the values of the first order term and the second order term differ by more than a predefined amount;

storing the updated value of the thermophysical property in a processor readable memory; and

displaying, on a display device coupled to the computer system, one or more results of the operational industrial process or simulated industrial process, wherein the one or more results are based at least in part on the updated value.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the series expansion comprises a second order Taylor series expansion in the temperature, pressure, and composition domains.

3. The method of claim 1 further including automatically updating the value of the thermophysical property in response to a change in phase of the fluid.

4. The method of claim 3 further including detecting the change in phase of the fluid by detecting a discontinuous change in the compressibility of the fluid.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically controlling, based at least in part on the updated value of the thermophysical property, the operational industrial process or the simulated industrial process.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing one or more outputs of the operational industrial process or simulated industrial process as outputs for use by an operator to manually control the operational or simulated process.

7. A computer readable storage medium storing processor executable instructions which when executed by a processor perform a method of estimating a thermophysical property of a fluid in an operational industrial process or simulated industrial process using a local model, the medium comprising instructions for:

receiving specified values for parameters of the fluid and providing the specified values to the local model;

generating for use within the local model, a series expansion of thermodynamic equations relating to the thermophysical property and one or more derivatives involving the thermophysical property;

evaluating, based upon a set of specified values for parameters of the fluid, a first order term of the series expansion and a second order term of the series expansion;

comparing values of the first order term and the second order term;

automatically updating a value of the thermophysical property when the values of the first order term and the second order term differ by more than a predefined amount;

storing the updated value of the thermophysical property in a processor readable memory; and

initiating display of one or more results of the operational industrial process or simulated industrial process, wherein the one or more results are based on the updated value.

8. The computer readable storage medium of claim 7 wherein the series expansion comprises a second order Taylor series expansion in the temperature, pressure, and composition domains.

9. The computer readable storage medium of claim 7 wherein the medium further comprises instructions for automatically updating the value of the thermophysical property in response to a change in phase of the fluid.

10. The computer readable storage medium of claim 9 wherein the medium further comprises instructions for detecting the change in phase of the fluid by detecting a discontinuous change in the compressibility of the fluid.

11. The computer readable storage medium of claim 7 wherein the medium further comprises instructions for automatically controlling, based at least in part on the updated value of the thermophysical property, the operational industrial process or the simulated industrial process.

12. The computer readable storage medium of claim 7 wherein the medium further comprises instructions for providing one or more outputs of the operational industrial process or simulated industrial process as outputs for use by an operator to manually control the operational or simulated industrial process.

13. A computer implemented method of operating an industrial process based in part on estimating a thermophysical property of a fluid in the vicinity of a reference point in the industrial process using a local model, the method comprising:

receiving, at a computer system, specified values for parameters of the fluid in the vicinity of the reference point from the industrial process, and providing the specified values to the local model;

generating, using the computer system, for use within the local model, a series expansion of thermodynamic equations relating to the thermophysical property and one or more derivatives involving the thermophysical property;

evaluating, using the computer system, based upon a set of specified values for parameters of the fluid, a first order term of the series expansion and a second order term of the series expansion;

comparing, using the computer system, values of the first order term and the second order term;

automatically updating, using the computer system, a value of the thermophysical property when the values of the first order term and the second order term differ by more than a predefined amount;

storing the updated value of the thermophysical property in a processor readable memory; and

automatically controlling the industrial process based at least in part on the updated value of the thermophysical property.

14. A computer implemented method of providing data associated with an industrial process, based in part on estimating a thermophysical property of a fluid in the vicinity of a reference point in the industrial process using a local model, comprising:

receiving, at a computer system, specified values for parameters of the fluid in the vicinity of the reference point from the industrial process and providing the specified values to the local model;

generating, using the computer system, for use within the local model, a series expansion of thermodynamic equations relating to the thermophysical property and one or more derivatives involving the thermophysical property;

evaluating, using the computer system, based upon a set of specified values for parameters of the fluid, a first order term of the series expansion and a second order term of the series expansion;

comparing, using the computer system, values of the first order term and the second order term;

automatically updating, using the computer system, a value of the thermophysical property when the values of the first order term and the second order term differ by more than a predefined amount;

storing the updated value of the thermophysical property in a processor readable memory; and

providing, as one or more outputs, data associated with the industrial process for use by an operator to facilitate control of the industrial process.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said data associated with the industrial process is provided on a display device.