Choose the learning path that matches your role and goals.

Notebook labels below mirror the examples catalog. Executed means the committed notebook contains stored execution counts and outputs; Source only means it contains source cells but no stored execution. Rerun either kind against the current master branch before treating its results as current validation evidence.

Choose your path

Path For Time Focus
PVT Engineer Reservoir/PVT engineers 4-6 hours Fluids, flash, characterization
Process Engineer Process/facilities engineers 6-8 hours Equipment, flowsheets, optimization
Developer Software developers 8-10 hours API, architecture, extensions

PVT engineer path

Goal: Master fluid modeling, flash calculations, and PVT characterization.

Level 1: Fundamentals (1 hour)

  1. Python Quickstart - Get NeqSim running
  2. Reading Fluid Properties - Understanding init levels
  3. Run — Executed: Reading Fluid Properties Notebook — stored outputs are available; rerun all cells for current-master evidence

Level 2: Thermodynamic Models (1.5 hours)

  1. Thermodynamic Models Guide - All EoS options
  2. Mixing Rules Guide - BIPs and mixing rules
  3. Reference: Which EoS should I use?
Fluid or task Starting model Important qualification
Dry natural gas SRK or PR Validate density and calorific properties for the composition
Gas condensate PR or SRK Tune heavy-end characterization to PVT data
Black or volatile oil PR or SRK Characterize and tune C7+ before process studies
Heavy oil PR/SRK family; consider SystemPrDanesh Validate heavy-end characterization, density, and PVT response
Dry CO₂-rich fluid PR, SRK, or a validated multiparameter model Check impurities and phase-boundary range
CO₂ with water CPA Validate water content, mutual solubility, and BIPs
Natural-gas reference properties GERG-2008 Use only supported components and validity ranges; it is not a general multiphase-VLE default
Electrolytes and brines Electrolyte-CPA Define ions, salinity basis, and precipitation scope

Level 3: Flash Calculations (1 hour)

  1. Flash Calculations Guide - All flash types
  2. Flash Equations - Mathematical details
  3. Practice: Run different flash types on same fluid
Flash Type Specify Calculate
TPflash T, P Phase amounts, compositions
PHflash P, H T, phase amounts
PSflash P, S T, phase amounts
TVflash T, V P, phase amounts

Level 4: Fluid Characterization (1.5 hours)

  1. PVT Fluid Characterization - Plus fraction handling
  2. Fluid Characterization Math - Lumping details
  3. Inspect or run — Source only: PVT Simulation and Tuning Notebook — no stored execution; run all cells before relying on results

Level 5: Advanced Topics (1 hour)

  1. Hydrate Models - Hydrate equilibrium
  2. Wax Characterization - Wax modeling
  3. Asphaltene Modeling - Asphaltene precipitation

Level 6: AI-Assisted Studies (30 min)

  1. Solve an Engineering Task — Let AI agents handle the workflow
  2. Task Solving Guide — How the multi-agent system works
  3. Try it: Type @solve.task hydrate formation temperature for rich gas at 100 bara in VS Code

The AI workflow automates the process around PVT calculations — scoping, running simulations, validating against benchmarks, and generating Word/HTML reports — so you can focus on interpreting results.

PVT reference materials

Process engineer path

Goal: Design and simulate process flowsheets with equipment models.

Level 1: Fundamentals (1.5 hours)

  1. Java Quickstart - Process simulation basics
  2. Process System Guide - Building flowsheets
  3. Streams Documentation - Material streams

Level 2: Core Equipment (2 hours)

  1. Separators - 2-phase and 3-phase
  2. Compressors - Centrifugal, reciprocating
  3. Heat Exchangers - Heaters, coolers, exchangers
  4. Valves - Control valves, chokes

Level 3: Process Flowsheets (2 hours)

  1. Mixers and Splitters - Stream combining/splitting
  2. Recycles - Handling recycle streams
  3. Adjusters - Specification adjustments
  4. Inspect or run — Source only: Network Solver Tutorial — no stored execution; run all cells before relying on results

Level 4: Advanced Equipment (1.5 hours)

  1. Distillation - Column simulation
  2. Pipelines - Multiphase flow
  3. Pumps - Pump modeling
  4. Wells - Well modeling

Level 5: Optimization & Control (1 hour)

  1. Optimization Overview - Process optimization
  2. Controllers - Process control
  3. Inspect or run — Source only: Production Optimizer Tutorial — no stored execution; run all cells before relying on results

Level 6: AI-Assisted Studies (30 min)

  1. Solve an Engineering Task — Let AI agents handle the workflow
  2. Task Solving Guide — How the multi-agent system works
  3. Try it: Type @solve.task TEG dehydration sizing for 50 MMSCFD wet gas in VS Code

The AI workflow automates the work around process simulation — scoping, literature review, building flowsheets, validating against benchmarks, uncertainty analysis, and generating engineering reports — so you can focus on design decisions.

Process reference materials

Developer path

Goal: Understand NeqSim architecture, extend functionality, contribute code.

Level 1: Setup & Architecture (2 hours)

  1. Developer Setup - Build from source
  2. Modules Overview - Package architecture
  3. Contributing Guide - Code standards

Level 2: Core APIs (2 hours)

  1. SystemInterface JavaDoc - Fluid API
  2. ProcessEquipmentInterface JavaDoc - Equipment API
  3. Test Overview - Testing patterns

Level 3: Thermodynamic Implementation (2 hours)

  1. Mathematical Models - EoS implementation
  2. Phase Package - Phase calculations
  3. Component Package - Component properties

Level 4: Process Implementation (2 hours)

  1. Equipment Base Classes - Equipment patterns
  2. Mechanical Design - Design calculations
  3. Graph Simulation - Topology analysis

Level 5: Advanced Development (2 hours)

  1. AI Integration - ML/AI patterns
  2. MPC Integration - Control system integration
  3. Serialization - Save/load processes

Developer reference materials

Progress checklist

Use this to track your progress:

PVT Engineer

Process Engineer

Developer