PRO/II
PRO/II is a widely-used computer program in chemical engineering that helps engineers design and plan chemical plants and processes. Think of it as a digital drawing board where engineers can test their ideas before building anything in real life. It's like having a simulator that shows how different chemicals will react and flow through equipment, helping companies save time and money by catching potential problems early. Similar tools include Aspen Plus and HYSYS. These types of programs are often called "process simulation software" or "chemical process modeling tools."
Examples in Resumes
Used PRO/II software to optimize refinery operations, resulting in 15% efficiency improvement
Developed process flow diagrams using PRO/II for new chemical plant design
Led team training sessions on PRO/II simulation software for process optimization
Typical job title: "Process Engineers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Process Engineers
Professional Organizations
Online Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you approach optimizing an existing chemical process using PRO/II?
Expected Answer: A senior engineer should explain how they would gather current plant data, input it into PRO/II, validate the model against actual performance, and identify areas for improvement while considering safety and cost factors.
Q: Describe a challenging problem you solved using PRO/II simulation.
Expected Answer: They should provide a specific example demonstrating leadership in using PRO/II to solve complex process problems, showing both technical expertise and business impact awareness.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the key considerations when setting up a new simulation in PRO/II?
Expected Answer: Should explain the basics of selecting appropriate components, choosing the right thermodynamic models, and setting up process conditions in a way that matches real-world operations.
Q: How do you validate PRO/II simulation results?
Expected Answer: Should discuss comparing simulation results with actual plant data, understanding acceptable margins of error, and knowing when to adjust model parameters.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What basic information do you need to start a PRO/II simulation?
Expected Answer: Should mention the need for basic process information like flow rates, temperatures, pressures, and chemical components involved in the process.
Q: What are the main features of PRO/II you're familiar with?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe basic features like creating process flow diagrams, running simple simulations, and generating basic reports.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic process flow diagram creation
- Simple equipment sizing calculations
- Understanding of basic unit operations
- Running pre-built simulations
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex process simulation creation
- Troubleshooting simulation problems
- Equipment specification development
- Process optimization studies
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced process optimization
- Custom model development
- Project leadership and review
- Training and mentoring others
Red Flags to Watch For
- No hands-on experience with actual process simulation software
- Lack of understanding of basic chemical engineering principles
- Unable to explain how simulation results apply to real-world operations
- No experience with process safety considerations
Related Terms
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