A Typical Development of a New Chemical Process

1. A Typical Development of a New Chemical Process - The R&D Group works out a way to make a new Chemical. Basic Financial, cost, and operations parameters are defined. - Process Engineers develop the process and validate it in the lab and/or pilot plant To do so, they had to assess very many process design combinations through block flow diagrams - The decision is taken to proceed with this process. Cost and investment projections are refined. - The Process Engineering Team makes all the basic calculations, process calculations, etc. and produce a series of PFD´s. Start-up, operations, contingency considerations may lead to changes in the PFDs. Specialists help in key knowledge and practice areas - heat and mass transfer, reactor design, etc. - As time comes to prepare the P&Ids needed for the plant, outside contractors and resources are hired to help. CAD facilities allow 3-D views of the plant ahead of its construction to ensure all spaces, operations, and contingencies are evaluated - and to avoid problems and conflicts during construction. This may take 2 to 6 months. - Meanwhile, location, financing, marketing projections have to be and firmed-up. Once the outlook is consistent with a profitable operation … the project moves to the procurement and construction phase.