Process flowsheeting

Synthesis is the step where the structure of the flowsheet is chosen. It is also in this step that one initializes values for variables which one is free to set.

Analysis is usually made up of three steps

• Solving heat and material balances
• Sizing and costing the equipment and
• Evaluating the economic worth, safety, operability etc. of the chosen flow sheet

Optimization involves both structural optimization of the flow sheet itself as well as optimization of parameters in a given flowsheet. In the former one may alter the equipment used and/or its connections with other equipment. In the latter one can change the values of parameters such as temperature and pressure. Parameter Optimization is a more advanced stage of theory than process flowsheet optimization.

The first step in the sequence leading to the construction of a process plant and its use in the manufacture of a product is the conception of a process. The concept is embodied in the form of a "flow sheet". Process design then proceeds on the basis of the flow sheet chosen. Physical property data are the other component needed for process design apart from a flow sheet. The result of process design is a process flow diagram, PFD. Detailed engineering for the project and vessel specifications then begin. Process flowsheeting ends at the point of generation of a suitable PFD.[1]

General purpose flowsheeting programs became usable and reliable around 1965-1970.

• List of chemical process simulators
• CAPE-OPEN Interface Standard
• Process simulation

• Westerberg A. W., Hutchinson H. P., Motard R. L., and Winter P., (1979), "Process Flowsheeting", Cambridge Universities Press, ISBN 0-521-22043-2
• Veverka V. V., and Madron, F. (1997), "Material and Energy balancing in the Process Industries", Elsevier, ISBN 0-444-82409-X
• Babu, B. V.(2004), "Process Plant Simulation", Oxford Universities Press, ISBN

• Process flowsheet development using process simulation software