Introduction to Plant Design and Process Economics

Every successful industrial facility begins with a balance between engineering feasibility and financial viability. Understanding how to design chemical plants while keeping capital and operating costs optimized is a critical skill for modern engineers. This written course guides you through the foundational principles of process economics, equipment sizing, and cost estimation. You will learn to evaluate project profitability, analyze process flowsheets for economic optimization, and make data-driven engineering decisions that align with modern environmental and financial standards. What you'll learn: Understand key terminology of plant design, capital investment, and operating costs; Estimate capital costs for major process equipment using modern sizing techniques; Analyze project profitability using metrics like NPV, IRR, and payback period; Optimize process flowsheets to minimize energy consumption and waste; Apply life-cycle assessment basics to evaluate the long-term sustainability of a plant design; Perform sensitivity analyses to assess financial risks under fluctuating market conditions. Starting with basic economic definitions and cost structures, the text guides you through practical estimation methods, profitability analysis, and optimization strategies. Through structured written explanations and realistic calculation exercises, you will build a solid foundation in industrial financial planning. This course is designed for engineering students, aspiring process designers, and technical professionals looking to understand the financial side of industrial operations. No prior background in economics is required. Begin reading today to master the economic principles that drive successful industrial design.