This integer entry is the maximum number of iterative trial solutions to perform before a non-convergence condition is signaled.
Usage
The allowable number of iterations before convergence failure is signaled is entered in the appropriate data entry field in the Column Main Window.
Further Explanation
The number of iterations required to solve any given column is a function of several factors: the quality of the initial estimated solution, the types of performance specifications being applied, the thermodynamics of the component system, the complexity of the column configuration and the convergence characteristics of the algorithm being used. The default number of iterations solves many problems.
It is good practice to request Convergence History results when performing calculations for a new column model. These results are useful in determining if the column was converging to a solution at the time that the maximum number of trial solutions was reached. If the column was converging, the number of iterations may be increased and/or the Column Initial Estimates may be updated to the latest calculated values to reach a converged solution.
It is never good practice to arbitrarily increase the number of iterations without first determining if the calculations were proceeding toward convergence.
It is always good practice to check the column input data, especially the performance specifications, when a column fails to reach convergence.
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