Conceptual process design study is carried out at a very early stage of project development.
The objective of the conceptual process design study is to define the project scope at a high level and start driving major decisions such as feedstock specifications, product specifications and technology pathways considered.
The key deliverables of the conceptual process design study includes:
1. Block Flow Diagrams (BFDs)
This is a high-level diagram of the process showing the major equipment blocks and the flow of materials and energy between them.
2. Technology Selection
Identification of specific technologies to be used in the process for various equipment blocks is performed in this phase.
3. Material and Energy Balances
This is a first pass heat and material balance showing all the major components of the main process.
4. Preliminary Equipment List
A preliminary equipment list of all major process equipment with some high level design parameters is developed in this phase using the heat and material balance generated.
5. Utility Requirements
Overall utility summary for the process is generated at a high level based on the heat and material balance.
6. Process Description
This provides a quick description of all the major steps involved in the process starting from raw materials to the final product(s).
7. Preliminary Safety and Environmental Impact Assessment
Potential safety hazards in the process and parameters impacting environmental permitting are identified.
8. Cost Estimates
An initial order of magnitude (typically +/- 50 to 100%) type estimation of capital and operational costs is prepared in this phase.
9. Project Execution Plan
This section outlines the next steps in the project, including the various engineering phases, schedule and cost that is estimated for the project execution.