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Plant Design and Economics for Chemical Engineers, 5/e
Max S. Peters, University of Colorado
Klaus Timmerhaus, University of Colorado, Boulder
Ronald E. West, University of Colorado, Boulder

General Design Considerations

Chapter Overview

T he development of a complete plant design involves consideration of many different topics. Quite understandably, the overall economic picture generally dictates whether the proposed facility will receive management approval. However, before proceeding with the development of a process design and its associated economics, it is useful to provide an overall view of other key aspects that are involved in a complete process or plant design. In this discussion, particular emphasis will be placed on important health, safety, loss prevention, and environmental considerations. Other aspects that will be discussed briefly include plant location, plant layout, plant operation and control, utility use, structural design, materials handling and storage, and patent considerations.

With respect to safety, health, and environmental concerns, it is rather difficult to provide detailed descriptions of the applicable regulations and codes since these are periodically revised or updated. Consequently, this chapter addresses the types of regulations that are relevant to chemical process and plant design and provides guidance where to obtain information on current and proposed regulations. The major emphasis, therefore, will be on general concepts and strategies of risk assessment and reduction that are incorporated in those regulations.