Can Flowsheets Provide Global Insights

Chemical processes involve a strong interaction between mass and energy. Typically, the overall objective of a plant is to convert and process mass. Energy is used to drive reactions, effect separations and drive pumps and compressors. An overview of the main inputs and outputs of a process is shown in Fig. 1.1. The 

In ord to identify the optimum solution, one should be able to answer the following challenging questions  

To answer the above-mentioned questions, one can envision so many alternatives they cannot be enumerated. Typically, an engineer charged with the responsibility of answering these questions examines few process options based on experience and corporate preference. Consequently, the designer develops a simulation model, performs an economic analysis and selects the least expensive alternative from the limited number of examined options. This solution is inappropriately designated as the optimum. Normally it is not Indeed, the true optimum may be an order of magnitude less expensive. 

It is beneficial to consider the optimal solution for this case study shown by Fig. 1.3, with the process changes marked in thick lines The solution features 

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