Page 436 - Chemical process engineering design and economics
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Design of Flow Systems
Flow-system design is one of the most frequently occurring design problems en-
countered by process engineers. Fluids flow through, reactors, separators, heat
exchangers, and other process units. Not only is the flow system one of the salient
features of a chemical plant, but it is also frequently encountered in research and
development. Kern [30], starting in December 1974, has discussed several aspects
of flow system design in a twelve-part series published by Chemical Engineering.
Just as the electrical engineer selects resistors, capacitors, and transistors
when designing an electric circuit, the chemical engineer selects valves, pumps,
and flow meters to produce a flow system. The procedure followed in the design
of a flow system is to determine:
1. pipe-fitting type
2. valve type and size
3. materials of construction
4. pipe size
length
wall thickness
diameter
5. flow-meter type and size
6. pump type and size
7. piping supports
Flow-system design is one of the last steps in the design of a chemical plant.
After designing and locating all equipment, then the process engineer can com-
plete the flow system design. In the following sections, we will consider the above
elements of a flow system in some detail.
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