Initial Considerations and Specification

The following six steps in the design of a chemical process have been identified (see Ulrich, 1984)  

The student would benefit by reading the introductory chapters in one of the popular texts on plant and process design, (e g. Peters and Timmerhaus, 1980 Ulrich, 1984 Baasel, 1976). 

The first step in a design project is to identify all the relevant information that is available. The second step is to identify the information required, decided after initial consideration of the problem. Two possibilities exist  

The possibility that all the required information is available (and sufficient) is remote (at least outside university teaching departments ). Remember Published information is not necessarily correct  

This assessment and definition stage is often either rushed, overlooked or postponed by eager students, such an approach usually leads to wasted time and effort later in the design. Make it a rule to know what you have and where you are going, rather than simply thinking that you know. 

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