The lecturer of the course is Prof dr. G. Schembecker (TU - Dortmund)
The lectures are mandatory and will count for 1 ECTS. The Case Work (and evaluation) is 2 ECTS and is presented as a Coach Module.
This course introduces participants to the field of process synthesis.
Process synthesis is a structured method that allows systematic identification of the most economical process flowsheets. For new processes it must be applied as early as possible during the R&D phase because results of a process synthesis project influence the research program and vice versa.
The conventional practice is to improve processes by the optimization of existing designs or smaller stepwise improvements of specific process units (evolutionary design). Although these methods have their added value, the overall process scheme is often not changed. Process Synthesis, also known as Structured Conceptual Process Design, is a technique suitable not only for making a step-change in the existing process but also for synthesizing a process flowsheet from scratch.
The content of the course is the following.
After a short introduction several process synthesis methods will be highlighted. A detailed description of PDC´s proprietary heuristic-numeric process synthesis procedure will follow. Applying the method to an extended example will demonstrate how the method can be used for projects with industrial complexity.
The lectures will concentrate on the method rather than on a detailed description of specific design tasks. In order to maximize the transfer of knowledge the example process will be worked out by the participants under the guidance of the instructor.
The course covers the following topics:
- Introduction to process synthesis
- Process synthesis in the framework of process development
- Process synthesis methods
- Input/output structures
- Flowsheet development
- Energy integration
- Process synthesis example
- Reactor selection and design
- Design of the separation system
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