UNMSM/FQIQ/EPIQ/DAADP/INGLÉS TÉCNICO/EF7/2020-I

Design and Chemical Engineering Practice

5.1 Introduction
Design activity is common to all engineering disciplines, and it is what separates engineering
from science. According to Clive and others (2005) [65], “engineering design is a systematic,
intelligent process in which designers generate, evaluate, and specify concepts for devices,
systems, or processes whose form and function achieve clients’ objectives or users’ needs
while satisfying a specified set of constraints”. This description views engineering design as
a thoughtful process that depends on the systematic, intelligent generation of design
concepts and the specifications that make it likely to realize these concepts.
In chemical engineering, design usually refers to design of a process, process equipment or a
chemical processing plant while considering safety, environmental and economic aspects.
Chemical engineering design procedes iteratively; it starts from sketchy, coarse-level
designs and then gets to detailed designs which are ultimately needed for building the
respective chemical plant. In addition, engineers rely on scientific principles, intuition,
experience and heuristics when designing a process. Businessdictionary.com defines
heuristics as a trial-and-error procedure for reaching an unclear goal through incremental
exploration, and by employing known criteria to unknown factors. Chemical laboratory is
usually the starting point for novel chemical development. But for existing chemical
technology such as in oil and gas, designers usually do not start from scratch, especially for
complex projects. Chemical engineers use data from laboratory experiments, pilot plant, full-
scale operating facilities or data from computer simulation in designing chemical plant or
process. Other sources of information include proprietary design criterio provided by
process licensors, published scientific data, and so on.
Chemical engineering design is governed by three primary physical laws: conservation of mass,
conservation of momentum and conservation of energy. Principles of thermodynamics, reaction
kinetics and transport phenomena are applied by chemical engineers in evaluating the mass
and energy conservation. Nowadays, complex computer simulation software models are used to
solve mass and energy balances. These simulators do have built-in modules to simulate a
variety of common unit operations. Computer simulations can identify weaknesses in designs
and allow engineers to choose better alternatives. Some of the available software for process
design include ASPEN HYSYS, DISTIL, PRO II, HEXTRAN, ICARUS, PROSIN (PROcess
SYNthesis) and others. Cost analysis is applied as an initial screening to eliminate unprofitable
designs. If a process appears lucrative, then other factors are considered. The general goal in
plant design is to construct or synthesize “optimum designs” in the neighborhood of the
desired constraints. In order words, the goal is to design a plant capable of producing a
specific or a range of chemicals at the desired tonnage and at the right price. Constraints or
factors to be considered may include capital cost, available space, safety concerns at unit and
plant level, budget, pay-back, market share and regulations. Others include environmental
impact and projected effluents and emissions, both immediate and future; waste production,
operating and maintenance costs, contractual penalties, standard and codes of practice,
physical and chemical limitations, market share, and so on.
1. (10 points) Translate to spanish the highlighted text

El diseño de ingeniería química se rige por tres leyes físicas primarias: conservación de la masa,
conservación del impulso y conservación de la energía. Los principios de termodinámica, cinética
de reacción y fenómenos de transporte son aplicados por ingenieros químicos en la evaluación
de la conservación de la masa y la energía. Hoy en día, se utilizan modelos complejos de
software de simulación por computadora para resolver balances de masa y energía. Estos
simuladores tienen módulos integrados para simular una variedad de operaciones unitarias
comunes. Las simulaciones por computadora pueden identificar debilidades en los diseños y
permitir a los ingenieros elegir mejores alternativas. Algunos de los programas disponibles para
el diseño de procesos incluyen ASPEN HYSYS, DISTIL, PRO II, HEXTRAN, ICARUS, PROSIN
(PROcess SYNthesis) y otros.

El análisis de costos se aplica como una selección inicial para eliminar los diseños no rentables.
Si aparece un proceso lucrativo, entonces se consideran otros factores. El objetivo general en
el diseño de plantas es construir o sintetizar "Diseños óptimos" en el entorno de las
limitaciones deseadas. En otras palabras, el objetivo es diseñar una planta capaz de producir un
producto químico específico o una gama de productos químicos con el tonelaje deseado y al
precio adecuado. Las restricciones o factores a considerar pueden incluir costo de capital,
espacio disponible, las preocupaciones de seguridad a nivel unitario y de planta, el presupuesto,
la amortización, la cuota de mercado y las regulaciones. Otros incluyen impacto ambiental y
efluentes y emisiones proyectados, tanto inmediatos como futuros; producción de residuos,
costos de operación y mantenimiento, sanciones contractuales, normas y códigos de práctica,
limitaciones físicas y químicas, cuota de mercado, etc.

Read the text and response in English:

2. (2,5 points) In which cases is cost analysis applied?

Cost analysis is applied as an initial screening to eliminate unprofitable designs. If a process
appears lucrative, then other factors are considered.

3. (2,5 points) How is the design process carried out in chemical engineering?
This is carried out iteratively; it starts from sketchy, coarse-level designs and then gets to
detailed designs which are ultimately needed for building the respective chemical plant. In
addition, engineers rely on scientific principles, intuition, experience and heuristics when
designing a process.

4. (2,5 points) What is used to solve energy and material balance problems?
Principles of thermodynamics, reaction kinetics and transport phenomena are used, in addition,
nowadays, complex computer simulation software models are used to solve mass and energy
balances. These simulators do have built-in modules to simulate a variety of common unit
operations. Computer simulations can identify weaknesses in designs and allow engineers to
choose better alternatives.

5. (2,5 points) Why are heuristics important?

Because the heuristics are a trial-and-error procedure for reaching an unclear goal through
incremental exploration, and by employing known criteria to unknown factors.