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mini-REFPROP: Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties-REFPROP

This document provides instructions for downloading and installing a sample version of the REFPROP software for calculating thermodynamic and transport properties of fluids. It explains how to obtain the mini-REFPROP files from NIST, install them on a PC, set up the required environment variables and trusted file locations to enable the macros in the REFPROP.xls file for use in Excel. The summary is: 1) Download the mini-REFPROP files from NIST and save them in a temporary directory. 2) Run the setup file to install mini-REFPROP to the directory C:\Program Files\REFPROP. 3) Set environment variables RPprefix and Path, and trusted file locations to enable the macros in REFPROP

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Sam Lopez
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1K views

mini-REFPROP: Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties-REFPROP

This document provides instructions for downloading and installing a sample version of the REFPROP software for calculating thermodynamic and transport properties of fluids. It explains how to obtain the mini-REFPROP files from NIST, install them on a PC, set up the required environment variables and trusted file locations to enable the macros in the REFPROP.xls file for use in Excel. The summary is: 1) Download the mini-REFPROP files from NIST and save them in a temporary directory. 2) Run the setup file to install mini-REFPROP to the directory C:\Program Files\REFPROP. 3) Set environment variables RPprefix and Path, and trusted file locations to enable the macros in REFPROP

Uploaded by

Sam Lopez
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties-REFPROP

Appears to be great software developed by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with
“sample” version available for academic use.

These notes compiled by R.Manteufel as of March 2010 to help students get copy of software and setup
on their PC/laptop. Most of this information was taken from various sources, but I didn’t find any single
file that explained the process from start to finish, so I’ve created this “help” file.

Mini REFPROP

Go to: http://www.bldrdoc.gov/div838/theory/refprop/MINIREF/MINIREF.HTM (below):

mini-REFPROP
The mini-REFPROP program is a sample version of the full REFPROP program (located at
www.nist.gov/srd/nist23.htm) and is meant for use as a teaching tool in the introduction of
thermodynamics to students. It contains a limited number of pure fluids (water, CO2, R134a,
nitrogen, methane, propane, and dodecane) and also allows mixture calculations of nitrogen with
methane for teaching vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE). The program expires in Dec., 2010.

To install the program, right-click on each file below and select "Save Target As..." Place these
three files in a temporary directory (that is not labeled Refprop), then run setup.exe to install
mini-REFPROP to your harddrive.

 REFPROP.CAB
 SETUP.EXE
 SETUP.LST

Unfortunately we are not able to provide technical support to students with this addition due to
the limited number of staff available at NIST in the thermophysics department. Support is
available only with the full version.

DIRECTORY NAME

Create a directory

C:\Program Files\REFPROP

Although you are getting miniREFPROP for free, avoid using “mini” in any name. Call it like the “full”
version.

Run Setup.exe from your computer where you downloaded file. Tell it to place all new files in
C:\Program Files\REFPROP.
miniREFPROP

Should be able to go to “C:\Program Files\REFPROP” directory and find and run stand-alone REFPROP.
Very useful program. Can create “shortcut” to this file and place on desktop of your computer.

Excel Applications. 

Go to: http://www.boulder.nist.gov/div838/theory/refprop/Frequently_asked_questions.htm

End of “answers to frequently asked questions” file, select link to Refprop.xls file and download into
some working area of your computer (not C:Program Files\REFPROP).

MACROS 

Open refprop.xls and look for top line to say something like: “Security Warning Marcos have been
disabled”. If you see this, click “options” “open the Trust Center” (bottom left of window), “Trusted
Locations”, “Add new location”, “Browse”, then have “C:\Program Files\REFPROP” (also click “subfolders
of this location are also trusted”) OK. Exit Excel. Reopen Refprop file to verify “Security Warning Macros
…” does not appear. Close file, then copy file refprop.xls to new directory where you will use refprop,
change name of file, open file. “Security Warning Macros …” will probably reappear. Do same process
to allow macros at this location: options/open the Trust Center/trusted locations/add new
location/Browse/ … again, click subfolders of this location are also trusted.

Quit Excel, then reopen. Should not get “Security Warning Macros …” message. Should see sheets
Tips/Examples/Mixture Example/…

Click on “Examples” sheet. Go to top of sheet. As instructions say, press “Ctrl-Alt-F9”. Version numbers
should match, but errors like “#Value!...” in boxes. Need to setup environment variables. Quit Excel.

Environment Variables

This follows the methods described in the help file (REFPROP.HLP) to make the Excel routines available
globally. Quit Excel. Microsoft Start (lower left of window)/Control
Panel/System/Advanced/Environment Variable/New

Create two new environment variables: RPprefix and Path

Screen should look similar to the following examples:


Both of these should be added to User variables section, not the System variables section. Note that the
System variables section also has a path statement, but that one does not need to be modified.
Environment variables can be set under Start/Settings/Control Panel/System/Advanced/Environment
Variables, under the "User variables" option

In Excel 2007, you can add "C:\Program Files\REFPROP" to the Trust Center as a trusted folder, which
tells Excel to enable macros without asking beforehand.  It offers the option to include sub-folders as
trusted, which should be accepted.

Reopen REFPROP.xls file, should not have problems with Macros. Go to top of Examples sheet. Press
Ctrl-Alt-F9. Should match version number. Should have values for properties. Box B7 has name of
fluid: nitrogen. Replace with “carbon dioxide” or “water” or “steam” (will give errors), and see how
values change. Sometimes request doesn’t make sense to REFPROP.

Excel Macro-Enabled Template

In Excel, with file REFPROP.xls open, can save-as “Excel macro-Enabled Template” with name REFPROP.
Otherwise, copy old file to begin new work.

Excel Add-Ins

In Excel, with file REFPROP.xls open, save-as “Excel Add-In” with name REFPROP. Quit Excel.

Open Excel, REFPROP.xls, click Microsoft button top left, Excel Options, Add-Ins, Go, Check “REFPROP
AddIns”

Quit Excel, open new Excel file. Should be able to evaluate properties in new window. Start exploring.
Have fun.

Requests

1) If you find better thermodynamic software within Excel, let me know [email protected]
2) Send suggested changes to this “help” file to [email protected]

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