Page 13 - Plant design and economics for chemical engineers

PREFACE

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Advances in the level of understanding of chemical engineering principles,
combined with the availability of new tools and new techniques, have led to an
increased degree of sophistication which can now be applied to the design of
industrial chemical operations. This fourth edition takes advantage of the
widened spectrum of chemical engineering knowledge by the inclusion of
considerable material on profitabilty evaluation, optimum design methods, con-
tinuous interest compounding, statistical analyses, cost estimation, and methods ,
for problem solution including use of computers. Special emphasis is placed on
the economic and engineering principles involved in the design of chemical
plants and equipment. An understanding of these principles is a prerequisite for
any successful chemical engineer, no matter whether the final position is in
direct design work or in production, administration, sales, research, develop-
ment, or any other related field.
The expression plant design immediately connotes industrial applications;
consequently, the dollar sign must always be kept in mind when carrying out the
design of a plant. The theoretical and practical aspects are important, of course;
but, in the final analysis, the answer to the question “Will we realize a profit
from this venture?” almost always determines the true value of-the design. The
chemical engineer, therefore, should consider plant design and applied eco-
nomics as one combined subject.
The purpose of this book is to present economic and design principles as
applied in chemical engineering processes and operations. No attempt is made
to train the reader as a skilled economist, and, obviously, it would be impossible
to present all the possible ramifications involved in the multitude of different
plant designs. Instead, the goal has been to give a clear concept of the
important principles and general methods. The subject matter and manner of
presentation are such that the book should be of value to advanced chemical
engineering undergraduates, graduate students, and practicing engineers. The

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