REPORT 1: PROJECT DESIGN AND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT

The objective of the first report is to identify, develop and organise

information needed to begin the process of evaluating possible solutions
for the biodiesel project. Information will include, but is not limited to, the
following;

1. Objective
A statement of the scope of the project. Briefly demonstrate your
understanding of the factors that need to be considered in this
project.

2. Alternative Feed stocks and Process

List a range of candidate feed stocks and possible processes that
can be used to convert cellulosic materials to ethanol. Clearly
identify the end product (ethanol) and any intermediates for each
process considered and collect some basic market information on
the supply and demand as well as current market price for the
ethanol and any derivative products.

3. Supply Chain Issues

Provide some details on the possible locations for a sourcing the
feed stock and begin to estimate the distances associated with the
supply chain (collection of raw materials, disposal/reuse of waste
and delivery of products).

4. Final feed stock selection

Organise the information collected and make a recommendation for
the primary feedstock. Explain the reasons why you selected this
feed stock (This can be done by a multi-criteria assessment or a
SWOT analysis).

5. Ethanol production process selection

Once you have identified the feed stock provide information least
two (2) process that may be used to produce ethanol from this
feed stock. Include a block flow diagram (BFD) and a process
narrative for each option including a brief discussion of the
chemistry involved in the process (note the process may be similar
and only differ as a result of selection of upstream or downstream
unit processes).

6. Process option selection

Select one process that will form the basis for subsequent reports.
Justify your selection based on the following;
a) Status of the technology (is this process well established
process? What are the process risks?)
b) Process support requirements, including requirements for
specialty staff and production skills and suitability of the
technology for the local community
c) Likely chemical inventory (preliminary assessment of chemical
inputs for process)
d) Likely energy requirements for process
e) Process complexity and identification of alternative end points
for intermediate products
 7. Preliminary Design Information
Produce a list of design objectives and constraints for fifteen
years operation. Develop preliminary estimates of product yield
based on harvest estimates over the 15 year period. Develop
preliminary estimates for process efficiency, identifying factors such
as the recovery, conversion, waste generation for each unit process
in your preferred option. This should include a brief discussion of
the selected process, the purpose of each unit operation and the
assumptions for performance (eg conversion, recovery, residence
times, kinetics, energy input/output)

8. Client’s concerns
The client has raised a number of concerns in the design brief.
Provide a brief description on what information be needed to
address these concerns

9. Data Book
Start your design process data book (refer to 3rd year note on the
requirements for the design process data book). Conduct an
assessment of the information that you have collected to date and
identify the information that you will need to collect to complete the
subsequent reports. Provide information on the degree of accuracy
for each assumption listed in part 6 (reference lists are essential).
Updates to the data process book (i.e. as more information
becomes available) must be itemised in your document control
section.

10. Project Schedule & Document Control

Develop a schedule (GANTT chart) for subsequent reports (refer to
the course outline for the delivery dates). Identify the information
that you will need to generate to complete the following:
a) Process Flow Diagram and Mass and Energy Balance (Report 2)
b) Equipment design (Report 2)
c) General Arrangement (equipment), plant layout, site selection
and assessment of environmental issues (Report 3)
d) Estimate of capital and operating costs. Discount cash flow
analysis, risk and sensitivity analysis (Report 4)
e) Preliminary process control tables, preliminary P&ID and
HAZOP/Fault tree analysis (Report 5)
f) Final report.

Develop a document control table and protocol for updating

changes and incorporating comments from your tutors into your
design and evaluation as the project develops over the session.

Marking Guide for Report 1.

Technical Content 7/10

Item Description Mark

 Scope & Clear, concise presentation of the problem 3
Alternatives and the alternatives
Process Clear and concise summary of the design 2
alternatives narrative for each process with reference to
drawings (block flow diagrams, potential
alignments and locations)
Process Justification of criteria used to select 1
selection process
Client concerns Itemisation of factors needed to make a 1
decision on the investment in the biodiesel
project

Project Deliverables 3/10

Item Description Mark

Project Describe and document how your team will 0.5
Schedule management information during the design
Document process and generate the subsequent
control reports. How you will control and document
changes/tutor feed back in subsequent
reports.
Design Data Development and management of design 0.5
Book data book including status of information
and references
Clarity The report must be written with the 1.0
audience in mind (i.e. You are preparing
engineering information to support a
business proposal). The report must contain
an executive summary covering the key
findings in the report (not simply a repeat
of the introduction).
Drawings, Drawing legends, table legends, glossary, 1.0
figures, tables executive summary and table of contents.
and This is a design report. Your are expected
presentation to prepare and present the information in a
logical and accessible manner