Page 158 - Design of Simple and Robust Process Plants

Design of Simple and Robust Process Plants. J. L. Koolen 143
Copyright 2002 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA
ISBNs: 3-527-29784-7 (Hardback); 3-527-60047-7 (Electronic)

Chapter 5
Process Simplification and Intensification Techniques

5.1
Introduction

In the previous chapters, the emphasis was on the design philosophies and the
development of a conceptual design to achieve simple and robust plants. The
specific techniques regarding process simplification and process intensification are
discussed in this chapter (Koolen, 1998, 1999). These techniques, which lead to a
simplification of the overall process, are categorized as follows:

. Avoidance or elimination of process functions
. Combination of process functions
. Integration of equipment
. Intensification of process functions
. Overall process simplification
To explain these terms, process simplification concentrates on the application of
existing techniques to reduce the cost of a chemical plant. Process intensification is
primarily addressing new technology which is at the development stage or early
stage of application to address the same objective. Process intensification concen-
trates on the improvement and intensifying of process units to reduce the size of
chemical plants such as ªHigeeº and other compact techniques. Both approaches
are complementary in reducing the cost of plants. The process intensification infor-
mation is primarily based on development work presented at three International
conferences about Process Intensification for the chemical industry (International
Conferences on Process Intensification, 1995, 1997, 1999).
The process simplification and intensification techniques will be illustrated with
example. Simplification will also be discussed for specific unit operations where
overall priority is given by proposing an increasing order of complexity for design
considerations. It should be realized, however, that rising to a higher level of com-
plexity might be justified by functional or economical requirements. The process
units and items under discussion will be:

. Reactors
. Distillation and absorption