Management of Chemical Projects, Design and Economics (Hardbound - 2020)

Management of Chemical Projects, Design and Economics discusses the technical areas of process design, engineering, and construction followed by pre-commissioning stages of the project. The book studies development design, selection of technology, determination of location, plot plan and plant layout, process flow diagrams and piping, instrumentation diagrams, basic and detailed engineering work, preparation of isometric drawings, and generation of engineering specification sheets for procurement and construction activities at site.

The establishment of chemical project requires several statutory approvals during the project stage. More stringent regulations are enforced after serious incidents involving gas leakages, fires, and explosions. Site appraisal committee for site selection, environmental impact assessment for hazard mitigation measures as well as clearance from the Factory, Boiler, and Explosive licensing authorities are essential stages to comply with for the setting up of a chemical project. The scope of risk management has been introduced into the startup and subsequent production activities to take care of safety and environmental impacts on plant personnel and the community at large. These are some of the general guidelines which have been explained and discussed in simple language and in lucid manner for the readers to comprehend easily the complexity of the topics.

Diagrams and illustrations have been included at relevant places to meet the above objective.

The topics covered are exhaustive in nature. Since many textbooks written by eminent authors are available to deal with individual subjects like equipment design, heat and mass transfer, piping design, etc., this book is an attempt to highlight only the aspects which are relevant to the project engineers.

Since there are very few books on this particular subject wherein plant design and project engineering topics are presented under the purview of a single book, it is hoped that this attempt would fill in the gap and be helpful to students and teachers interested in management of chemical projects.

M.N. Vyas, M.S. in Chemical Engineering (University of Bradford, U.K.), P.G. Diploma in Chemical Engineering (Kings College, University of London, U.K.), has extensive industry and teaching experience in the field of chemical engineering. He was the first Gujarati to be elected as fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, London, and made Registered Chartered Engineer, London, for his contribution in the field of Chemical Engineering. He worked for Unilever, Port Sunlight, U.K., for five years as Development Technologist. After his return to India, he joined Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd. (IPCL), Baroda as Project Engineer. In his 29 years of practical exposure to various petrochemical plants of IPCL, he held senior positions in project, plant commissioning, operations, and technical services. He superannuated as General Manager (Operations) and General Manager (Health Safety and Environment). After getting retirement from IPCL, he is working as a consultant and visiting professor in Chemical Engineering to chemical industries and technical institutions in Gujarat. He is also the author of the well-known book entitled Safety and Hazards Management in Chemical Industries.