Processing steps, fewer

Simpler plants are friendlier than complex plants because they provide fewer opportunities for error and because they contain less equipment that can cause problems. Often, the reason for complexity in a plant is the need to add equipment and automation to control the hazards. Simplification reduces the opportunities for errors and misoperation. For example, (1) piping systems can be designed to minimize leaks or failures, (2) transfer systems can be designed to minimize the potential for leaks, (3) process steps and units can be separated to prevent the domino effect, (4) fail-safe valves can be added, (5) equipment and controls can be placed in a logical order, and (6) the status of the process can be made visible and clear at all times. 

Fewer processing steps, cheaper than wool... 

One of the most widely used methods to improve overall process efficiency is to reduce the number of steps and unit operations in a synthetic route. This is more commonly known as telescoping. This can lead to more efficient, less wasteful processes that require fewer solvents because of the smaller number of steps. An example of this technique was illustrated earlier in Section 3.1.6, where the process optimization of the sertraline (Zoloft ) production process by Pfizer was described. In this case the number of process steps (unit operations) was reduced from 3 to 1, which led to huge savings due to higher productivity, fewer inputs, and less waste generation [18]. 

With PSPIs, the photopatterning process involves significantly fewer process steps (Figure 19) and eliminates the need for expensive plasma equipment. However, the process is currently limited to aspect ratios of about 0.5 for negative features such as via holes. Higher aspect ratios can be obtained for positive features such as lines unfortunately, holes are the more-prevalent features for TFML structures. 

Processing with a view towards this new set of conditions focuses on the development of production routes with fewer processing steps, with higher yields on each step, to save material and energy costs. Less waste is generated, and treatment and disposal costs go down. Both pressures come together in the cases of environmental compliance costs. 

Number of process steps Cost X X X X Fewer units Less danger Fewer possibilities for yield losses Many aspects together may result in a lower cost Theoretical goal no limitation, other than kinetics, gives optimal yield and least waste... 

Emissions X X Fewer possibilities for yield losses Fewer process steps may result in lowered emissions... 

Fewer Processing Steps. Engineers have an old rule-of-thumb which doubles the cost for every step in the overall process. 

Preparative chromatography has achieved a unique position in the purification of biotechnology products on an industrial scale. As an increasing number of biotechnology products are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and with the rapid increases in the scales at which these products are produced, there is a growing need for the design of downstream processes with fewer, more efficient steps. While elution chro-... 

The novel synthesis required fewer process steps, and this resulted in lower costs and investment. In 1969, another advance was announced—the synthesis of acetic acid from methanol and carbon monoxide with essentially no by-products or co-products.15 16... 

Economics The GEMINOX technology uses fewer processing steps, as found in competing BDO technologies, leading to significant capital... 

Economics The advanced Eastman E PTA technology uses fewer processing steps. In combination with the outstanding mild-oxidation tech-... 

Economics The advanced Eastman MTA technology uses fewer process steps and in combination with the outstanding mild-oxidation technology, leads to considerable capital cost savings and lower production cost than in most competing processes. 

In solvent-free reaction systems, the absence of solvent facilitates downstream processing as fewer components are present in the reaction mixture moreover, the elimination of solvent from the production step offers significant cost savings. In some ways, solvent-free reaction systems are similar to solvent systems in that reactants serve as a reaction medium. With the absence of solvent, high purity products (solvent-free) often can be obtained. One drawback to solvent-free systems is the possibility of high media viscosity, which may result in poor mixing and, hence, slow reaction rates. 

The total costs of the fill step depends strongly upon the amount of process steps and the amount of WF6 needed. Although it is widely believed that selective tungsten contact fill has fewer process steps as compared to... 

---