Plant Design and Economics for Chemical Engineers

Translating a chemical process into a profitable, real-world operating plant requires a deep understanding of both engineering principles and financial viability. This text-based course guides you through the foundational concepts of process design and economic decision-making. You will transition from understanding basic chemical equations to analyzing capital investments, estimating operating costs, and evaluating the overall financial feasibility of industrial projects. What you'll learn: - Understand the fundamental steps of chemical process design and plant layout. - Estimate capital investment costs, operating expenses, and raw material requirements. - Calculate depreciation, taxes, and the time value of money using standard engineering formulas. - Evaluate project profitability using payback period, net present value (NPV), and internal rate of return (IRR). - Apply optimization techniques to balance engineering design choices with economic constraints. - Analyze modern sustainability metrics and life-cycle assessment basics in plant design. The course begins with core definitions and design terminology before moving systematically through cost estimation, interest calculations, and profitability metrics, complete with step-by-step written walkthroughs of classic engineering problems. It is designed for chemical engineering students, professionals, and exam candidates seeking a clear, structured introduction to engineering economics without any prior financial background. Start reading today to master the financial side of chemical engineering.