Life Cycle of a Design Project

Life-cycle models can be used to manage the elaboration of complex projects [1]. A simple but efficient model can be built up on the basis of a waterfall approach. This indicates that the project sequencing should be organized so as to avoid excessive feedback between phases, and in particular to upset the architectural design. More sophisticated approaches, such as V-cycle or spiral models, could be used to handle projects requiring more flexibility and uncertainty, as in the case of software technology. 

Completing the flowsheet allows the generation of a steady-state simulation model. A dynamic simulation model may be developed for supporting process control implementation and for the assessment of operation strategies. 

In detailed engineering, the components of the project are assembled before commissioning. 

In practice, the workflow of a project may be different from the idealized frame presented above. For example, parallel engineering may be used to improve the overall efficiency. However, recognizing tbe priority of conceptual tasks and minimizing the structural revisions remain key factors. 

Innovation is the key issue in today s chemical process industries. The main directions are sustainability and process intensification. Sustainability means in the first place the efficient use of raw materials and energy close to the theoretical yields. By process intensification the size of process plants is considerably reduced. The integration of several tasks in the same unit, as in reactive separations, can considerably simplify the flowsheet and decrease both capital and operation costs. 

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