Equipment, costs description

ORIGIN ITEM TYPE ITEM DESCRIPTION ---DESIGN DATA- PURCHASED . EQUIPMENT COST USD ... 

Many pubhcahons refer to the use of micro reactors for process intensificahon, with all the imphcahons related to this definition - safety, cost reduchon, high productivity rate, environmental friendliness, energy efficiency and so on [5, 25, 104]. A particular feature of interest is the reduction of the equipment size (see also Section 1.4.3.5 for a systematic top-down description of this topic). 

Both in the paper by Ramshaw and in the report from the UMIST conference, first definitions (or rather descriptions) of process intensification can be found. Ramshaw (11) describes PI as devising an exceedingly compact plant which reduces both the main plant item and the installation s costs, while according to Heggs (12) PI is concerned with order-of-magnitude reductions in process plant and equipment. In one of his subsequent papers, Ramshaw writes about typical equipment volume reduction by two or three orders of magnitude (13). 

For multifunctional equipment, Siirola provides a general description of functions and how to combine them into a piece of equipment (36). Functions operating in the same temperature and pressure range can be combined in one piece of equipment. Multifunctional reactors represent one subclass of solutions with promising features in cost and energy requirements (37). 

Because of their important application value, much research and development on the preparation technologies of ultrafine powders has been carried out in the last twenty years and more, and hundreds of preparation methods have been proposed. Since they are not the major topic of this book, neither a description of the classification of the methods nor an introduction to the details of the various methods will be covered here. On the other hand, reaction-precipitation methods generally have a number of advantages such as lower cost, moderate operating conditions, lower equipment requirements, convenience of operation, and normally yield good-performing products etc. thus they occupy an important position among the various methods. 

Invariably the analytical method developer is required to make compromises between the amount and complexity of the sample processing and the separating power, selectivity, and other attributes of the chromatographic or nonchromatographic determination. These compromises are often strongly influenced by the projected cost and time required for various method options and by the desired quality, detail, and reliability of the results. Major issues usually are the availability of laboratory or field equipment and instrumentation, the experience and skill of the staff in using the equipment, and other laboratory or field infrastructure required to complete the analyses of the samples. Most research and standard analytical methods contain many compromises that may not be clearly defined in the method description, but should be understood by the user. 

Please prepare a preliminary design for the proposed plant. This design will be surveyed by the Process Development Division and used as a basis for further decisions on the proposed plant. Make your report as complete as possible, including a detailed description of your recommended process, specifications and cost estimates for the different pieces of equipment, total capital investment, and estimated return on the investment assuming we can sell all our product at the prevailing market price. We shall also be interested in receiving an outline of the type and amount of labor required, the operating procedure, and analytical procedures necessary. 

A description of the equipment, as used in an industrial laboratory, is provided, in addition to typical performance levels. Bearing these in mind will help limit the number of unnecessary requests for analysis. The typical preparation procedures for samples and a standard cost estimate in terms of time are shown to give a clearer idea of the operations and work required from the analyst on each sample. 

Figure 14.11. Rocha et al. (1986) provide additional descriptions of equipment options and relative costs.

Equipment for extraction and leaching must be capable of providing intimate contact between two phases so as to effect transfer of solute between them and also of ultimately effecting a complete separation of the phases. For so general an operation, naturally a substantial variety of equipment has been devised. A very general classification of equipment, their main characteristics and industrial applications is in Table 14.4. A detailed table of comparisons and ratings of 20 kinds of equipment on 14 characteristics has been prepared by Pratt and Hanson (in Lo et al., 1983, p. 476). Some comparisons of required sizes and costs are in Table 14.5. Rocha et al. (1986) provide additional descriptions of equipment options and relative costs. 

Based on knowledge of the extraction techniques discussed in this chapter, make a comparison of each technique. As a suggestion, the following headings could be used for comparison purposes brief description of technique sample mass extraction time per sample solvent type solvent consumption sequential or simultaneous extraction relative cost of equipment level of automation approval of methods (USEPA). 

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