Section I. Conceptualization and Analysis of Chemical Processes

The purpose of this section of the book is to introduce the tools necessary to understand, interpret, synthesize, and create chemical processes. The basis of interpreting chemical processes lies with understanding the principal diagrams that are routinely used to describe chemical processes, most important of which is the process flow diagram (PFD). Although PFDs are unique for each chemical product, they possess many of the same characteristics and attributes. Moreover, the conditions (pressure, temperature, and concentration) at which different equipment operate are unique to the chemical product and processing route chosen. In order for process engineers to understand a given process or to be able to synthesize and optimize a new proces....