Analysis and Synthesis of Problems 69

It is interesting to note that one of the most frequent

calculations made by chemical engineers , material or
energy balances , consists almost entirely of classifying and
describing known facts . In preparing a material balance ,
for example , a flow diagram is drawn so that the inter-
relation of facts can be readily understood . The material
balance itself is begun by tabulating ( classifying and
describing ) the components present in each stream . As the
unknown streams are considered , some fact about one of
the components in the stream becomes apparent as the
key ( tie element ) for completing the balance and thereby
the tabulation .

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The value of classification can be seen in the examples—
particularly in Example 2 the facts for which are de-
tailed operating data . By resolving such a mass of detail
into a graph of relevant data , it is possible to deduce
several hypotheses which finally lead to solving the prob-
lem . Attempting to analyze the raw data without the
graph would have been virtually useless .

In solving the more complex problems , the chemical

engineer will rarely proceed without first classifying and
describing the facts . When solving seemingly simple prob-
lems , however , he is often prone to skip this analytical
step and trust his memory for the needed information .
This shortcut habit leads to less accuracy and more
frustration in the long run . Forgotten detail is often diffi-
cult to recall .

Determining Applicable Theory or Basic Law

The first three steps of analysis guide the engineer to

the theory or basic law that must be applied . In Example
1 , classification and description in the form of a sketch
suggested that the work term could be related to the other
facts by means of an energy balance ( first law of thermo-