Page 78 - Design of Simple and Robust Process Plants

62 Chapter 3 Design Philosophies
. Destroy without recovery
. Controlled waste disposal ( to be avoided, but like in the mining industry it
isn't avoidable)

Recycles
Recycle
Recycle

Consumer
Raw Waste
Process Consumer
material product handling
Internal recycle

Avoid / minimize Avoid / minimize Avoid / minimize Avoid / minimize

Fig. 3.8. Environmental levels of attack, minimize losses, recy-
cle internal and external, destroy with recovery and without reco-
very.

The technology of process integration, and increased recycle and reuse of material,
leads to more selective operations. Environmentally sound designs ask for detailed
process knowledge and simulations to predict the impact of potential build-up and
removal of recycle components. The integration of processes asks for clever solu-
tions and correct hardware and software de-coupling of systems to enable robust
operation.
The level of complexity is increasing through these design requirements, but in
order to comply with simple design requirements the level of automation and
robustness of the control must be addressed next to the application of simple design
techniques.

Summary
. Environmental requirements will strengthen and will be increasingly globally
driven.
. Sustainable product developments will have a long-term impact on product
design, as well as process design.
. Nuisance requirements will be local in nature while risk criteria for proces-
sing facilities and transportation will be set by governmental regulations
. Detailed process knowledge and simulations are needed to predict the impact
of build-up and removal of recycle components.
. Environmental requirements may lead to more complex designs that need to
be neutralized by a higher level of automation and control next to the applica-
tion of simple design techniques.