Page 104 - Design of Simple and Robust Process Plants

4.1 Process Synthesis 89
The design of simple process plants can be realized in many alternative ways ± the
challenge is to select the right combination of known operations to design an opti-
mal process. The invention of new things occurs at the research phase of a project ±
at the design stage, we have to apply what we know. The creation of alternative solu-
tions to a design problem, and the selection of the best solution, is the way to go ±
or in other words:

Think in alternatives and select the best
The development of alternatives is often best carried out in structural brainstorming
sessions, as a team effort. Although this an effective way to collect ideas, it is often a
one-time effort. At the same time, the approach is self-limited by the target set by the
leader. One handicap with engineers is that they are trained to solve problems in a
sequential manner. This was helpful when trying to understand the rather abstract
world of process engineering. Building a process flowsheet always comprises a
sequence of activities such as pump, heat, separate, cool, pump, etc. It is this sequen-
tial thinking that must be broken in order to achieve simple and robust facilities.

Sequential thinking is way to order and understand things but it can be a handicap for
the search of integrated solutions.

There is more to brainstorming than simply sitting together in an open-minded set-
ting and letting the creativity flow. Creativity needs time, for people to open their
minds, and for unrestricted stimulation. Experience teaches us that it is very easy to
collect standard or common ideas for improvements, but very difficult to collect
good ones. Time and a stimulating environment are essential.

The death to creativity is putting people under time pressure

Another factor that is counterproductive to creativity is irritation. People involved in
a project will not ± and cannot ± contribute to creativity when they are irritated, as
such a mental condition is simply not the right climate in which to be creative. The
working environment provides a major contribution to creativity. It was Thomas
Alva Edison who created a motivated team to explore new techniques related to the
applications of electricity and electro-mechanical devices. Indeed, it was Edison who
explained geniality:

What people call geniality is simple hard work: one percent inspiration and ninety nine
percent perspiration.

The acceptance of an idea is too often more cumbersome than its development. This is
one of the advantages of developing a creative climate in a team, and that was one of the
strong points of Edison's team concept. The acceptation of ideas within a team is higher,
as it is perceived to be a joint effort. It was Herbert Dow (the founder of Dow Chemical)
who phrased the cumbersome way to achieve implementation of new ideas as follows: