Conceptual phase

The conceptual phase of a project starts before there is a project. This phase of the project is where a plan for satisfying a need will be conceived (Fig. 2). Definition of the need will start the process. A method of satisfying the need will be the result. The need may be for increased capacity, new product, elimination of bottlenecks in existing facilities, modernization, meeting new regulations, energy efficiency, and waste minimization, to name a few. 

One good approach at this time is to prepare multiple solutions and hope to find an optimum solution. Realize that this is the phase where the optimum solution can be found most economically, beyond this phase the solution chosen can be optimized, but to change the chosen solution will require return and restart at this phase with a large portion of the work of later phases discarded. 

The most important element at this phase of the project is that the project team shall have a varied experience base, i.e., creating plans to satisfy needs is easily facilitated. Success comes with a team strong in three ways. 

This phase of a project is best guided by the statement of the need. Example The sales projections for our product exceed our production capacity starting the middle of next year . 

Start with the statement and collect ideas for solutions. Next, evaluate the solutions and select the ones with the most favorable features for further evaluation. As part of the evaluation procedure, determine the must have features and the would like to have features. The final selections should have all the musts and as many of the high ranked wants as can be accommodated. Some of the ideas will be found unsuitable as their development begins. 

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At each phase of a project cost information is required to enable decisions to be taken. In the conceptual phase these estimates may be very approximate (e.g. + 35% accuracy), reflecting the degree of uncertainty regarding both reservoir development and surface options. As the project becomes better defined the accuracy of estimates should improve. 

Many successful projects have shown that application information can be divided into the following four categories Terminology, Special Characteristics, Abstract Functions, and Graphics. Although these categories are the basis for the searchable application data base, each project requires a conceptual phase to define how to focus. 

Finally, at the Texas Heart Institute, we are developing a concept device that will consist of a catheter deployed micropump in the descending aorta and fixated with metallic struts to the aortic wall. It is designed to accelerate blood flow in the descending aorta to unload the heart. Its power will be supplied through a transarterial power cable to an outside power source. Though still in the conceptual phase only, it may be truly implantable in the cath lab without surgery. 

Typical Conceptual Phase (FEL-1) Deliverables These are listed below. Each project will customize these deliverables to suit the particular needs of the project. There is no such thing as a standard FEL. Therefore, the process engineer must understand what the details are for each deliverable needed, what the minimum level is for the engineering required to meet those requirements, and in which formats that information and data will be needed. 

The results of this VIP are used by the project management team to update its project execution plan for each FEL phase. The class of facility quality VIP provides the best results when conducted prior to executing any other VIP eftbrt in the conceptual phase (FEL-1) of the project. 

The goals of this VIP are to document which technology evaluation criteria are applicable and then to conduct a formal technology screening and evaluation assessment. The result is a prioritized listing of technology options for each selected application for the project. The preferred time to execute this VIP is the midpoint in the conceptual phase (FEL-1). 

This VIP also provides a means for integrating overall plantwide systems. The process simplification VIP is typically performed during the feasibility phase (FEL-2) after the preliminary PFDs and heat and material biances become available. However, for very large and complex projects, considerable value has been gained Iw also performing this VIP at the midpoint or later in the conceptual phase (FEL-1). 

A formal constructability VIP workshop conducted in the conceptual phase (FEL-I) should focus on the overall project construction strategies regarding site layout, construction and turnaround laydown areas, access to the site for large equipment and modules, modularization, sequencing of heavy lifts, limitations regarding procurement, limitations regarding fabrication and transport, area labor limitations, and coordination with any existing or nearby structures or facilities. 

The conceptual phase The team then reviews the ideas against relevant project criteria such as potential impact on long-term project economics, impact on operations and maintenance costs, effect on the capital cost for the project, validity to the project scope of work, technical risks associated with implementation of the new concept, impact on project schedule, and cost required to implement the improvement. Each study has specific criteria against which proposed alterna-... 

The LCA results can be used for a sustainability assessment of a new technology by comparing the outcome with the existing technology results. In the conceptual phase of the new technology, a relative assessment can be used to highlight where improvements should be made and where the problem areas are. This is shown in Section 3 on process intensification assessment. 

Conceptual phase diagram for fluid in nanopores, superimposed on bulk phase diagram. 

The classes of problems to be identified in the contemporary CAPE concern the problem of conceptualizing change of scale, intensification, and integration. There are two main subjects of conceptualization. The first one is generation of alternatives and selection of appropriate one for the identification of the chemical path that transforms the given raw materials into the required product. The second is identification of the structure of the flowsheet, i.e., what units are to be used to produce the required material and how they should be connected. More detailed information about the solvents and the control structure is also decided in the conceptualization phase. 

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