Plant Design and Process Economics: A Foundational Guide

Designing a chemical plant requires balancing technical feasibility with financial viability. This text-based course guides you through the fundamental principles of process design and economic evaluation, giving you the skills to assess industrial projects confidently. By reading through this structured guide, you will learn how to analyze process flowsheets, select and size equipment, estimate capital and operating costs, and perform rigorous profitability analyses. You will develop a strong foundation in both the engineering and financial dimensions of plant design. What you'll learn: - Understand foundational terminology, process design steps, and flowsheet development - Estimate capital investment costs, operating expenses, and depreciation using modern estimation techniques - Analyze project profitability through metrics like Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and payback period - Size common process equipment and apply optimization principles to minimize costs - Evaluate plant location, layout, and safety considerations in design projects - Incorporate basic environmental sustainability and life cycle assessment factors into economic decisions The course begins with key terminology, basic design concepts, and foundational definitions of process flows, ensuring a solid starting point. From there, you will progress through systematic written explanations and practical calculation examples covering cost estimation, time value of money, and project profitability analysis. This course is designed for engineering students, process design aspirants, and beginners looking to master the financial and technical aspects of plant design with no prior economics background required. Start reading today to build a strong foundation in process economics and plant design.