Page 270 - Design of Simple and Robust Process Plants

256 Chapter 7 Optimization of an Integrated Complex of Process Plants
. The logistic situation between raw-material supply at a global price and the
product markets are crucial for the selection. Depending on the type of indus-
try, some sites are situated close to the markets, while others have a relatively
close access to raw-material suppliers. Half-way is often not the best location.
The overall site balances will help in identifying the cost of all the material
streams. The logistic study must include all modes of transportation: deep-
water access, pipeline, railways, roads, and local waterways. For complexes
projected inland, access to world market supplies can make the investment
in relatively expensive pipelines a major requirement. Refineries situated
inland need to have access to crude oil, and this will be one of the first com-
parisons to be made between optional sites and process plants under consid-
eration.
. Individual plant overall mass and energy balances need to be prepared, com-
plete with cost estimates.
. Utility cost and the availability of power, primary fuel, process water and cool-
ing water are additional inputs for the logistic study.
. Utility plant design and energy integration potentials with the plants need to
be identified, as they may have a significant impact on the utility cost. This
must include any external supplies.
. Site logistic specifics; accessibility for transport over deep water, local water-
ways, railways, roads, and pipeline(s). The question to be addressed here is
whether there any bottlenecks in these systems and, if any, will they be
resolved. The constructability of plants also needs to be evaluated, for exam-
ple soil research and the transportation of major equipment to the site.
. External safety and environmental requirements. Increasingly, global safety
and environmental requirements are being applied. Thus, during the selec-
tion one should incorporate whether these are locally not yet at global level,
and/or whether they will attain global status within the foreseeable future.
. Political stability.
. Permits procedures for building and operation of the complex might be
inscrutable, and sometimes not achievable within an acceptable time frame.
Some complexes were never built for these reasons.
. Economical environment, such as open or closed markets, taxes, profit man-
agement, and/or subsidies.
. The local culture and the availability of operational people. Another culture
can be a severe handicap, particularly as this might lead to complete misun-
derstandings. In developing countries the availability of operational people
must be carefully evaluated.
The above aspects have been listed as an overview of points for evaluation. As site
selection has a high ongoing impact on the operational cost of the site, it was includ-
ed in this chapter.