Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
are performed that fail because the premise was incorrect (i.e. it was the wrong
technology from the start), rather than because of any technical failing, and the
technology itself is then labelled as inadequate. A number of technologies developed
have been characterized as 'solutions seeking problems', and these problems will
sometimes be found. However, sometimes the question that is asked is, 'Can this
technology be used for this application?', when it should be, 'Does this technology have
realizable economic benefits for the process overall?'
Many of these challenges are familiar to anyone who has had a new technology of any sort
to promote. The key issue is simply that the new process/technology must have a provable
and significant economic advantage. It must be borne in mind that an economic advantage
is not only achieved by reducing the size of a piece of process equipment (or, preferably, the
entire plant), but can be brought about in a variety of ways:
Safer Operation: Accidents are a cost. Some function of the risk and consequent cost of
an accident should be factored into the economic evaluation of any project. Intensified
technologies in general will significantly reduce the hazard, and therefore cost, of any
incident. More effective monitoring, which is more likely with smaller intensified
equipment, should help to reduce the rate of incidence of accidents.
Product Quality: Improved product quality reduces the load on downstream separa-
tions, perhaps allowing a reduction in size, or alternative technologies to be used, or
process steps to be removed altogether, thereby reducing capital and running costs in
other areas of the plant. The higher product quality produced in intensified processes due
to the enhanced effectiveness of heat and mass transfer reduces the amount of waste
produced, thereby lessening the amount that has to be disposed of. In some industries,
where the wastes are highly toxic, for instance, disposal and/or treatment is one of the
largest running costs. This will become more of a driver in the future, as environmental
legislation becomes more stringent worldwide.
Reduced Running Costs: The greater efficiency of intensified plants reduces energy
costs. In a fossil fuel-based energy supply system, as most currently are, this equates
directly to reduced CO
2
emissions. Such issues should become increasingly important as
carbon trading becomes more standard.
1.7 Conclusion
As a revolutionary approach to chemical processing, PI has gained remarkable momentum
in the last 2 decades. It was described more than 10 years ago as 'the key to survival of the
fittest in international competition' [81]. It is not surprising, therefore, given the intensely
competitive environment in which businesses in the chemical industry operate, that great
strides have been made in the research and development of PI technologies over the last
few years.
With greater emphasis being placed on sustainable development nowadays, PI can be an
important element in making future chemical and pharmaceutical industries greener. This
is because it can be used to greatly reduce the size of many unit operations, and in doing so
reduce not only the energy required to run them but also the surrounding infrastructure and
the energy and materials used in their manufacture. In an intensified environment, higher
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