Purchase-cost charts

Except for shell and tube exchangers, purchased costs were estimated by means of charts from the Chauvel Method (Chauvel, 2000), then multiplied by correcting factors (materials for example). Other charts have then been used for purchased costs, the second step requiring correcting factors being the same as previously. These different methods show finally various results with a decrease of about 24% of the total capital investment (Peters, 2003 Ulrich, 2004). 

As discussed in Section 16.5, the purchase cost of processing equipment is generally obtained from charts, equations, or quotes firom vendors. However, costs are not static. Because of inflation, they generally increase with time. Thus, charts and equations apply to a particular date, usually month and year, or to an average for a particular year. Quotes from vendors are often applicable only for a month or two. An estimate of the purchase cost at a later date is obtained by multiplying the cost from an earlier date by tbe ratio of a cost index, I at that later date to a base cost index, that corresponds to the date that applies to the purchase cost. 

The final bare module cost CgM of distillation equipment can be estimated from charts and equations. The calculation starts with the base purchase cost Cp for systems built of carbon steel and operating at ambient... 

It is possible to build a basic system with chart-recorder output using components from various manufacturers. Suppliers of used equipment are another possible source. Sometimes there are equipment auctions but, having learnt from bitter experience, unless one can actually go and see (and preferably test) the items listed in the catalogue, this method of purchase should be avoided. Very often parts will be missing and, being obsolete, no longer obtainable. Used equipment suppliers always include some form of guarantee, and that is worth its cost. Some used or refurbished equipment suppliers are listed in Appendix 1. 

The only major item on which the CWS had cost and price data was the gas mask because that was the one item which continued to be manufactured in considerable quantity after World War I. Experience gained under the educational order contracts was especially productive of valuable data on the cost of the mask. The Purchase Policies Branch had little trouble, therefore, compiling charts depicting the discrepancies in prices charged by the various contracts. By simply calling the attention of the contractors to these charts it was sometimes possible to secure a reduction in prices. The price level of the gas mask declined over 9 percent between January 1942 and June 1945. ... 

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