CHAPTER 8

PERLIMINARY SIZING AND COSTING

8.1 INTRODUCTION

Among the most important parts for the success of production of 300 tones/year
of bioethanol are the sizing of the chosen equipment followed by preliminary costing for
every one of them. Equipment sizing will affects the profitability of a plant where the
choice of material used and the size of the units determine the feasibility of a plant. For
this purpose, the calculations are based on the throughput into the equipment and its
corresponding operating parameters. The results will be needed for the cost correlations
to estimate the equipment cost. Sizing and costing for a plant is important factor that
should be done in good manner because it’s determined the whole plant profitability
besides ensure that the plant run smoothly without any problem during the operation.

Generally, the units including main units comprises of Gas Compressor,

Photobioreactor, Mixer, Clarifier, Rotary Vacuum Filter, Mixer, Decanter, Pressurized
Vessel, Centrifuge, Fermenter, Plate and Frame Filter, Distillation Column, Heat
Exchanger. For the preliminary calculation of sizing and costing, parameters that
important such as flow rate, temperature, pressure and density. And generally,
determination of volume, diameter and length has been carried out using the parameters
simulated from results of simulation and manual mass balance results.

The exchange rate used for the calculation is from US dollar ($) to Ringgit
Malaysia: $ 1 US dollar = RM 3.98. The costing index is based on the Chemical
Engineering Plant Cost Index (CE Plant cost Index). When using Product and Process
Design Principle, the base cost index (2006) is CE500 and for present cost index (2010)
is CE532.9. When using the reference of Chemical Engineering Volume 6, the base cost
index (mid of 2004) of CE444.2 is used for the costing calculation.
 The summary of sizing and costing calculation for each unit operation in waste
treatment will considered here. The equipment and the unit operation used in the process
plant are listed in Table 8.1 below.

Table 8.1: Equipment List

Equipment Quantity

8.2 Design & Sizing of Equipment

8.3 Costing of Equipment