Design of Simple and Robust Process Plants

The approaches to design process plants described in this book lead to process designs which require 30-40 percent less capital than usual. The book is unique since it is the first comprehensive work addressing both the total process design and operational approach. Technological developments during the last decade made the design of really competitive processes possible. Mechanical developments have resulted in reliable and robust equipment. Process developments have created opportunities to minimize the amount of equipment; furthermore, different logistic approaches, integration of process functionality and intensification of the unit operations are possible. Computer and control technology allows remote-control operation and first pass prime production.In this work design philosophies are discussed and their implementation is shown as a structured approach for planned and existing plants. Numerous examples are presented to illustrate what simple design can create. The work is intended for experienced engineers and managers involved in process design, control design and operation, but is also interesting for students. Project engineers and managers have to apply these new approaches to achieve competitive processes. "A process plant should meet the simplicity and robustness of a household refrigerator." This book has been written to allow to achieve this aim.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Simple and Robust Design: What Does This Mean? Design philosophies Design techniques Techniques of Simple Design Reactor systems Distillation Other Separation Units Pumps Heat Exchangers Integration of Unit Operations Integration of Equipment Piping Instrumentation Optimization of a Chemical Plant Appendix

About the Author :
J. L. A. Koolen is the author of Design of Simple and Robust Process Plants, published by Wiley.

Review :
The author's faculties of abstraction, combined with his long-term experience in process design, have resulted in this first practical book on robust and simple design, covering the entire field of chemical engineering. This book will prove to be an indispensable tool for all engineers in the operation, design, and development processes. Moreover, it will inspire them in their daily work, and also open their eyes to the many opportunities and challanges that they will encounter in the future. Highly experienced process designers will also find stimulating suggestions in this book, and we can be sure that it will have a major impact on our future plants, making them - in time - better, simpler, and more robust! K. Roel Westerterp