 |  Plant Design and Economics for Chemical Engineers, 5/e Max S. Peters,
University of Colorado
Klaus Timmerhaus,
University of Colorado, Boulder
Ronald E. West,
University of Colorado, Boulder
Process Design Development
Chapter OverviewP
rocess design can provide chemical engineers with probably the most creative
activity enjoyed by the engineering profession. There are many opportunities to
come up with imaginative new processes or the introduction of changes that
can positively alter existing processes. Chemical engineers in process design face
challenges in creating ingenious and often complex flowsheets for new or revised
processes. In this task they will make many design decisions that can affect the success
or failure of a process design. Without a doubt, process design is rarely straightforward
or routine. Rather, such developments involve innovative approaches to entirely new
processes or revisions to existing processes that are more profitable, better controlled,
operationally safe, as well as environmentally sound.
This chapter will review in greater detail some of the principal steps, as outlined
earlier in Table 1-1, that are followed in designing and retrofitting chemical and biochemical
processes. Anumber of these steps will be highlighted in an abbreviated form
with the development of a preliminary process design. The design examines a practical
problem of the type frequently encountered within the chemical industry, one
which involves both process design and economic considerations. |
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2003 McGraw-Hill Higher Education