Calculations in Process Engineering

The topic of carrying out process engineering calculations in the most effective manner can be considered in these four ways: 1. The purpose of the calculation 2. The content of the calculation 3. The method used to carry out the calculation 4. The performer of the calculation   The purpose of the calculation Engineers typically carry out calculations for a variety of purposes including the following: a) To conduct a technical or economical evaluation of a plant or specific unit (such as a heat and material balance), to carry out evaluations in the early stages of the project, or for use while writing studies or technical memos for stakeholders b) To size, rate or specify a piece of equipment c) To generate a specific operational procedure Sizing, rating, and specifying are three distinctly different goals of calculation efforts. Process sizing means defining all the (process) aspects of the equipment, so that the manufacturer can produce it with little process knowledge. Sizing efforts typically involve calculations that aim to identify all the unknowns associated with one equipment component, to enable the fabricator to produce that component. By contrast, when specifying an equipment component or instrument system,…