Page 455 - Design of Simple and Robust Process Plants

442 Chapter 11 Process Synthesis and Design Optimization
Design philosophies are an integrated set, and they must be seen as one set in order
to achieve a simple and robust process plant.

11.3
Process Synthesis and Design Optimization

The design of simple and robust process plant demands adaptation of the design
process to involve simplification, optimization and integration, with interaction
between the different design activities:
Process synthesis methodology follows the adapted interactive onion model,
which includes simplification and integration with iteration between the develop-
ment steps (Figure 11.1).
Optimization for process design is a step-wise methodology within the process
synthesis methodology, which must be applied to keep track of design decision. The
methodology emphasizes step-wise reduction of the number of alternatives while
increasing the number of design (sizing) variables, resulting in one selected and
optimized design.
Clever process integration is applicable for utility as well as process streams; both
streams require adequate back-up for control as well as operational reasons for inde-
pendent operational processes or process sections.

Site integration
Controllability

Integration
Separations/
Recycle

Simplification
Reactor Optimization
Interaction

Fig. 11.1. The iterative onion model for process synthesis.