So how do we start on this project?

Let us look at the requirements one-by-one

Section Clues Detail Data Assumptions Literature Conclusion Outcomes
1. A What you are Solvent extraction: Uses a third liquid to dissolve  Different solvents with  No mutual solubility 1.Brainstorm list (at least 5 or
discussion of required to the contaminant, while itself remains immiscible their partition  Perfect solvent more technologies).
alternatives investigate is a with water. The solvent and solute are then Coefficients. separation 2. Show elimination, with
to your final separation process. separated, by distillation or any other method.  Fluid-fluid solubility  …… reasons (based on
process. So you may want Advantage: Separation can be achieved without  Physical properties (in)applicability of the
to list as many heating the feed – likely relatively low running technology, of inapplicable
separation costs. options.
processes as you Disadvantage: Organic solvents could be harmful 3.Consideration of 3 options,
can think of, with to workforce and the environment. 4.More detailed consideration
their advantages May involve boiling for separation of of 1 option.
and disadvantages solute/solvent. This step could be replaced by
according to their cheaper one.
suitability as a Distillation: Separates the two components by BP water BP solute
solution to this boiling in a column, lower boiling component
problem. recovered from the top.
Advantages: Near perfect separation could be
achieved.
Disadvantages: Separation by boiling water
involve high energy costs, since water has a high
latent heat of vaporisation, and feed is mainly
water.
Capital costs likely to be very high.
Membrane separation (pervaporation):
Separates by using membrane material as a
molecular sieve, which lets certain particles pass
through but not others.
Advantages: No heating costs – likely to be a
cheaper process.
Disadvantages: Suitable membranes may not be
available.

*Please note: The example I did in class was just an example – not the answer!
Make your own choices according to your own research. Do not feel constrained by the example in class. There is no RIGHT or
WRONG answer.
 Section Clues Detail Data Literature Outcomes
2. A detailed I. To kick-start the development of your process: 1. Name of Base Case process. 1. Name the process and give
development of your  Select one likely solution at a time, and develop 2. Process description. overview.
selected process. the process to come up with a solution. 3. Advantages. 2.Block flow diagram (use blocks
 Start with an input/output diagram for your 4. Disadvantages. and not icons).
process. 5. Assumptions. 3. High level process description,
 Develop an input/output diagram, followed by a 6. Assumptions in this iteration. with sub-process descriptions
block flow diagram, and list your assumptions in (not necessarily unit
developing a simplified material balance. description).
 Using the data from your material balance, 4.Material balance
attempt a gross economic analysis to get a first 5.Assumptions.
approximation of the costs involved. 6.Discussion of advantages and
The answer will obviously not enlighten you in so disadvantages of process
far as the profitability is concerned, but it will show (safety, environmental impact,
you whether the project is worth pursuing or not. economics etc.)

II. From the BFD, 1. Name of process. 1.More detailed process

 Develop a PFD. 2. Process description. description.
 Relax some of the assumptions that you made 3. Assumptions relaxed from previous 2.PFD with stream table.
above, and get enough detail to give insight into iteration. 3. Equipment list
the number and type of units that you will require. 4. Assumptions in this iteration. 4.New assumptions.
 List all the chemicals involved in the process, and 5. Gross economic analysis.
create a database of their relevant physical
properties.
 List the units and their approximate operational
ranges.
 Refine your material and energy balance, and
determine the likelihood that the process is
operable.

1. A discussion of alternatives to your final
process.
2. A detailed development of your selected
process.
Alpha
The following is grossly inadequate:
1. Brainstorm list (at least 4 or more
technologies).
2. Elimination shown, with reasons (based
on (in)applicability of the technology, of 2. Elimination shown, with reasons (based
inapplicable options. Reasons
discussed.
3. Consideration of 2 options, one of
which is discussed to more detail.
The following is grossly inadequate:
1. Process named and overview given.
2. High level process description, with
sub-process descriptions (not
necessarily unit description).
3. Block flow diagram (use blocks and
not icons) with simple material
balance and stream table.
4. Valid Assumptions stated.
5. Discussion of advantages and
disadvantages of process (safety,
environmental impact, economics
etc.)
The following is grossly inadequate or
missing:
1. More detailed process description 1. More detailed process description with
thoroughly given with little or no
errors.
2. PFD with stream table thoroughly
done with few or no errors.
3. Equipment list correctly provided,
with blanks for unknown information.
4. New assumptions thoroughly
described in depth.
RUBRIK
Beta
The following is shown but with significant
conceptual errors:
1. Brainstorm list (at least 4 or more
technologies).
on (in)applicability of the technology, of
inapplicable options. Reasons discussed.
3. Consideration of 2 options, one of which
is discussed to more detail.
The following is shown but with significant
conceptual errors:
1. Process named and overview given.
2. High level process description, with sub-
process descriptions (not necessarily
unit description).
3. Block flow diagram (use blocks and not
icons) with simple material balance and
stream table.
4. Valid Assumptions stated.
5. Discussion of advantages and
disadvantages of process (safety,
environmental impact, economics etc.)
The following is shown but with significant
conceptual errors:
few significant.
2. PFD with stream table thoroughly done
with few significant errors.
3. Equipment list correctly provided, with
blanks for unknown information with
few significant errors.
4. New assumptions thoroughly described
in depth with few errors.
5. Gross expenditure analysis done.
Delta
1. Brainstorm list (at least 4 or more
technologies).
2. Elimination shown, with reasons (based
on (in)applicability of the technology, of
inapplicable options. Reasons
discussed.
3. Consideration of 2 options, one of
which is discussed to more detail.
1. Process named and overview given.
2. High level process description, with sub-
process descriptions (not necessarily unit
description).
3. Block flow diagram (use blocks and not
icons) with simple material balance and
stream table.
4. Valid Assumptions stated.
5. Discussion of advantages and
disadvantages of process (safety,
environmental impact, economics etc.)
1. More detailed process description with
few significant.
2. PFD with stream table thoroughly done
with few significant errors.
3. Equipment list correctly provided, with
blanks for unknown information with
few significant errors.
4. New assumptions thoroughly described
in depth with few errors.
Gross economic analysis done.
Gamma
1. Brainstorm list (at least 5 or more
technologies).
2. Elimination shown, with reasons (based
on (in)applicability of the technology, of
inapplicable options. Reasons
thoroughly discussed.
3. Consideration of 3 options, one of which
is discussed thoroughly.
1. Process named and thorough overview
given.
2. Thorough and correct High level process
description, with sub-process
descriptions (not necessarily unit
description).
3. Complete block flow diagram (use blocks
and not icons) with simple material
balance and stream table.
4. Valid Assumptions stated correctly.
5. Discussion of advantages and
disadvantages of process (safety,
environmental impact, economics etc.),
thorough and correct.
1. More detailed process description
thoroughly given with little or no errors.
2. PFD with stream table thoroughly done
with few or no errors.
3. Equipment list correctly provided, with
blanks for unknown information.
4. New assumptions thoroughly described
in depth.
5. Gross economic analysis thoroughly
done.