UGPA3074 Plant Design

Assignment
An acrylic acid production plant is proposed to produce 50,000 metric tonnes of acrylic acid
annually.

(a) Review all possible production processes and select the reaction process by measuring
the economic potential of the process.

(b) Develop a process flow diagram (PFD) for the project described above using ASPEN
PLUS based on the selected process in Part (a).

(c) Develop activities involved in planning the described project. Please include the Gantt
chart. Measure the payment period and rate of return of investment based on the
projected cost as given below (all numbers are in $ x106):

Land cost = $7.5

Fixed capital investment = $120 ($60 at end of year 1, $39.60 at end of year 2, and
$20.40 at end of year 3
Working capital = $35(at start-up)
Start-up at end of year 3
Revenue from sales = $52
Cost of manufacturing (without depreciation) = $18
Tax rate = 30%
Length of time over which profitability is to be assessed = 10 years after start-up

(d) Develop activities involved in executing the described project. Please include the
Gantt chart.

(e) Discuss a detailed modification to the process flow diagram in Part (b) with the
possibility to improve the existing technology either by substituting one or more unit
operations, or by use of better catalysts, or by deploying improved separation or
reactor technology, or by using different solvents to reduce environmental impact,
etc. Justify your proposal accordingly.