Plant Design And Economics For Chemical Engineers (TIMMERHAUS)

Preface : 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, continuous 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, development, 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 economics 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 information should also be of interest to administrators, operation supervisors, and research or development workers in the process industries. The first part of the text presents an overall analysis of the major factors involved in process .design, with particular emphasis on economics in the process industries and in design work. Computer-aided design is discussed early in the book as a separate chapter to introduce the reader to this important topic with the understanding that this tool will be useful throughout the text. The various costs involved in industrial processes, capital investments and investment returns, cost estimation, cost accounting, optimum economic design methods, and other subjects dealing with economics are covered both qualitatively and quantitatively. The remainder of the text deals with methods and important factors in the design of plants and equipment. Generalized subjects, such as waste disposal, structural design, and equipment fabrication, are included along with design methods for different types of process equipment.

Basic cost data and cost correlations are also presented for use in making cost estimates. Illustrative examples and sample problems are used extensively in the text to illustrate the applications of the principles to practical situations. Problems are included at the ends of most of the chapters to give the reader a chance to test the understanding of the material. Practice-session problems, as well as longer design problems of varying degrees of complexity, are included in Appendix C. Suggested recent references are presented as footnotes to show the reader where additional information can be obtained. Earlier references are listed in the first, second, and third editions of this book. A large amount of cost data is presented in tabular and graphical form. The table of contents for the book lists chapters where equipment cost data are presented, and additional cost information on specific items of equipment or operating factors can be located by reference to the subject index. To simplify use of the extensive cost data given in this book, all cost figures are referenced to the all-industry Marshall and Swift cost index of 904 applicable for January 1, 1990. Because exact prices can be obtained only by direct quotations from manufacturers, caution should be exercised in the use of the data for other than approximate cost-estimation purposes. 

The book would be suitable for use in a one- or two-semester course for advanced undergraduate or graduate chemical engineers. It is assumed that the reader has a background in stoichiometry, thermodynamics, and chemical engineering principles as taught in normal first-degree programs in chemical engineering. Detailed explanations of the development of various design equations and methods are presented. The book provides a background of design and economic information with a large amount of quantitative interpretation so that it can serve as a basis for further study to develop complete understanding of the general strategy of process engineering design. Although nomographs, simplified equations, and shortcut methods are included, every effort has been made to indicate the theoretical background and assumptions for these relationships. The true value of plant design and economics for the chemical engineer is not found merely in the ability to put numbers ‘in an equation and solve for a final answer. numbers ‘in an equation and solve for a final answer. The true value is found in obtaining an understanding of the reasons why a given calculation method gives a satisfactory result. This understanding gives the engineer the confidence and ability necessary to proceed when new problems are encountered for which there are no predetermined methods of solution. Thus, throughout the study of plant design and economics, the engineer should always attempt to understand the assumptions and theoretical factors involved in the various calculation procedures and never fall into the habit of robot-like number plugging. Because applied economics and plant design deal with practical applications of chemical engineering principles, a study of these subjects offers an ideal way for tying together the entire field of chemical engineering. The final result of a plant design may be expressed in dollars and cents, but this result can only be achieved through the application of various theoretical principles combined with industrial and practical knowledge. Both theory and practice are emphasized in this book, and aspects of all phases of chemical engineering are included. The authors are indebted to the many industrial firms and individuals who have supplied information and comments on the material presented in this edition. The authors also express their appreciation to the following reviewers who have supplied constructive criticism and helpful suggestions on the presentation for this edition: David C. Drown, University of Idaho; Leo J. Hirth, Auburn University; Robert L. Kabel, Permsylvania State University; J. D. Seader, University of Utah; and Arthur W. Westerberg, Carnegie Mellon University. Acknowledgement is made of the contribution by Ronald E. West, Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Colorado, for the new Chapter 4 in this edition covering computer-aided design.  

Max S. Peters  

Klaus D. Timmerhaus  

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