Category Archives: Latest News

On August 28, 2017, PFR Engineering released REFORM-3PC v8.0.1. Version 8.0.1 adds many of the same enhancements and functionalities that have recently been added to FRNC-5PC, PFR’s flagship software. Following are some of the other improvements made to REFORM-3PC:

1. Added the ability to launch REFORM-3PC from a command prompt or from an Excel macro, outside of the GUI itself.
2. Changed the numeric values in the ‘Output Spreadsheets’ from text to true numbers.
3. Improved the Quick-Edit panel to alert the user when terrace-wall heights do not add up to the overall tube length, or when secondary reformer air stream composition, GTE composition, fuel composition, or percent fuel combusted at different firebox levels do not add up to 100%.
4. Added an option to automatically open the Full Output file after program execution, instead of the ‘Output Spreadsheets.’
5. Made a slight change to the combustion air composition to be consistent with the FRNC-5PC program, since both programs are used in tandem to simulate the Reformer Firebox (REFORM-3PC) and the Reformer Convection Section (FRNC-5PC).
6. Increased the maximum reformer feed inlet pressure that is allowed.
7. Added versatility to the Output Plots by allowing the user to control what variable to put on the X-axis and what variable to put on the Y-axis.

If you would like additional information about REFORM-3PC v8.0.1 or any of the other PFR Engineering software products, please email us at query@pfrengineering.com

On March 30, 2017, PFR Engineering released FRNC-5PC v9.2. Version 9.2 includes a number of enhancements, upgrades and new features. Following are some highlights:

1. Added Therminol® fluids to built-in stream properties. Users can choose a specific Therminol fluid and the properties will automatically populate a Physical Property Grid.
2. Added the ability to Run an FRNC-5 simulation from outside the FRNC-5 Graphical User Interface (GUI), such as from the DOS Command Prompt or from an Excel® spreadsheet macro.
3. Added more Tube Material selections, bringing FRNC-5 up-to-date with the API RP-530 tube material stress curves.
4. Added a flue gas Draft Summary table to the program output results. All of the draft-related values (losses and gains) are now shown for all furnace sections.
5. Simplified the choice of a unit basis for Process Stream Compositions. The previous list of different units effectively resulted in either Mass, Mole, or Liquid Volume basis, so those options are now the only ones allowed. This eliminates some previous confusion.
6. Manifold fittings can now be used for all-Liquid process streams, in addition to the previously-allowed all-Vapor streams.
7. Now allow stream Property Grids to be exported from the FRNC-5 GUI to an Excel template, which then allows users to easily add or remove Pressures or Temperatures and then re-import them into the GUI. The GUI itself does not provide this functionality.

If you would like additional information about FRNC-5PC v9.2 or any of the other PFR Engineering software products, please email us at query@pfrengineering.com