Elsevier US Job Code:CAPA Chapter:0capaprelims 15-12-2006
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Foreword
Since the publication of the previous edition of Volume 1 in 1995
there have been significant developments in process design as
applied to chemical and petrochemical plant.
All areas of safety are of importance because of ethical, legal
and loss prevention constraints. Lower levels of fugitive emissions
are now tolerable and health hazard control is a major concern.
Hence an increased proportion of design effort now tends to be
spent on safety studies.
The competitive environment in which plants operate necessi-
tates that equipment will perform reliably to specification. But no
design can be developed in isolation from economic factors. Some
degree of standardization of equipment can result in both capital
cost and operative cost savings. When the accuracy of design proce-
dures can be relied upon, “lean design” which avoids unjustified
allowances for contingencies can be advantageous. However expe-
rience has also shown that in some cases “over design” may be
beneficial in allowing extra capacity to be extracted economically.
Probably the major changes in design procedures however
have been those made possible by the increased application, and
sophistication of computer programs.
This volume has therefore been extensively revised and
contains a new chapter covering the physical properties of liquids
and gases, with tables of properties as an appendix. Cost estima-
tion and economic evaluation procedures are dealt with in a new
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chapter. Hazard identification and analysis, and additional topics in
design for safety including concepts in the introduction of inherent
safety, are now covered. It is also timely to include material on
engineering ethics.
Design engineers will find the inclusion of numerous computer
programs of particular value. These are supplemented by appen-
dices containing mathematical functions, analytical and numerical
analysis with examples of the use of Fortran and Excel programs
to solve selected mathematical problems in chemical process engi-
neering design.
It would be impracticable to deal in one volume with all
the techniques and design procedures which engineers now rely
upon. As in previous editions, specific topics e. g. metallurgical
considerations, associated fire protection systems are excluded. But
with the fourth up-date this volume serves as a guide to a majority
of design techniques. Moreover it is extensively referenced to other
sources of information and data up to 2006.
Easier access to information and the revolutionary develop-
ments in computing have proved of immense benefit to designers.
But applied process design remains a complex and demanding task.
This volume will be of considerable assistance to all those involved
in it.
Dr. C. J. Mumford
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