Site condition and design

Title: Site condition and design

Authors: Alex Chandel, Eric Jiang, Minwook Kim, Todor Kukushliev, William Lassman

Stewards: Alex Chandel, Eric Jiang, Minwook Kim, Todor Kukushliev, William Lassman

Date Revised: 1/17/2014

Introduction

All chemical processes require land for chemical storage, process equipment, and labor facilities.

Geographical selection

The location surrounding a chemical plant can substantially influence its construction costs and operating costs, and may affect long-term profitability. Thus it is important to choose an appropriate location for every facility.

Factors considered

Natural resources

Proximity to continental and underwater oil deposits, natural gas, coal mines, and other resources.

Weather

Its influence on ambient temperature and thus on utility cost.^{[ citation needed ]} Also rain and humidity, and the sensitivity of the process to water exposure.

Proximity to related chemical operations

Oil rigs are found in the gulf, and oil refineries on its shore. Biofuel production plants are found in the midwest.^{[ citation needed ]}

Laws and regulations

Some states are more friendly to chemical engineering operations, or may impose additional regulations. Property costs, property taxes, corporate income taxes, and environmental contamination fines will vary between states.

Cost

All of the above criteria ultimately influence the capital and operating costs of a plant, and its expected lifespan.

$TC=rK+wL$

Local wages, prices of chemical feedstock, shipping costs, and utilities all contribute to total operating costs.

Property prices, rental fees, taxes, and existing company property in the area contribute to recurring investment costs.

Common locations

There are many common locations for chemical processes, often specific to one or more industries.

Site design

Once a region is selected, the building and process equipment themselves must be laid out.

Footprint

Areas with greater land costs require vertically oriented equipment.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

• Gavin Towler and Ray Sinnott, Chapter 11 - General Site Considerations, In Chemical Engineering Design (Second Edition), edited by Gavin Towler and Ray Sinnott, Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston, 2013, Pages 505-524, ISBN 9780080966595, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-096659-5.00011-0.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780080966595000110)

External links

• (Relevant wikipedia article)