Chapter 5 process description and rpoduct

1. CHAPTER 5
Product and
Process
Description

2. PRODUCT AND
PROCESS
DESCRIPTION

3. PRODUCT AND PROCESS DESCRIPTION
Chapter 5 focuses on the product and process description, providing a clear
understanding of the chemical product, the raw materials required, and the
manufacturing process. This chapter bridges the gap between market
requirements and technical design, ensuring that the plant is capable of
producing a product that meets quality, purity, and application standards.
It includes product specifications detailing the physical, chemical, and
functional properties of the product, raw material specifications to ensure
consistent and efficient production, and block flow diagrams with process
descriptions that visually and textually explain the sequence of operations,
major equipment, and material flows. Together, these elements form the
foundation for detailed process design, equipment selection, and safe,
efficient plant operation.
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4. WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE
PRODUCT AND PROCESS DESCRIPTION?
I. Product Specification
II. Raw Material Specification
III. Block Flow Diagrams and Process Description
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5. I. Product Specification
A product specification is a detailed description of a chemical product, defining its
qualities, standards, and characteristics that must be met to satisfy customer
requirements and industry regulations. It provides a benchmark for quality control and
guides the design and operation of the manufacturing process. Include both main
product and by-products.
Purpose
● Ensures the product consistently meets market and customer requirements.
● Guides process design, equipment selection, and quality assurance.
● Supports regulatory compliance and safety considerations.
Importance
● Provides a standard reference for production and quality control.
● Ensures consistency and reliability of the product in the market.
● Helps in selecting appropriate raw materials and process conditions.
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6. I. Product Specification
Key Points:
● Chemical identity: Name, formula, CAS number, and synonyms.
● Physical properties: State (solid/liquid/gas), melting/boiling point, density,
solubility.
● Chemical properties: Reactivity, stability, pH, functional groups.
● Grade and purity: Industrial, technical, pharmaceutical, or food-grade.
● Applications: Industries or processes that will use the product.
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7. II. Raw Material Specification
A raw material specification is a detailed description of the materials and feedstocks required
to produce a chemical product, including their quality, quantity, physical form, and source. It
ensures that the raw materials used in the process are suitable for producing the desired
product efficiently and consistently.
Purpose
● Ensures that raw materials meet quality and purity standards for consistent product
output.
● Guides procurement and supply chain management.
● Helps in process design by specifying material requirements, forms, and handling
conditions.
● Supports safety and regulatory compliance by specifying storage and handling
requirements.
Importance
● Ensures that production meets design specifications and product quality.
● Prevents process interruptions due to unsuitable or unavailable materials.
● Enables accurate cost estimation and process optimization.
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8. II. Raw Material Specification
Key Points:
● Type of Raw Material: Chemical name and grade (e.g., industrial, technical,
reagent).
● Purity or Quality Standards: Minimum acceptable purity or allowable impurities.
● Physical Form: Solid, liquid, gas; particle size; moisture content.
● Quantity Required: Mass or volume needed per batch or per year.
● Source and Availability: Local or imported, supplier reliability, and backup
options.
● Storage and Handling Requirements: Temperature, pressure, safety
considerations.
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9. III. BFD and Process Description
Block Flow Diagram
A Block Flow Diagram (BFD) is a simplified visual representation of a chemical process.
It shows the major process steps, material flows, and interconnections between units,
using simple blocks to represent each unit operation. Unlike detailed process flow
diagrams (PFDs), BFDs do not include detailed equipment, instrumentation, or stream
data.
Purpose:
● Provides a high-level overview of the process.
● Communicates the sequence of operations clearly to engineers, managers, and
stakeholders.
● Helps in conceptual design, early-stage process planning, and feasibility analysis.
● Identifies major raw materials, intermediates, products, and by-products.
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10. III. BFD and Process Description
Key Features
● Simplified Blocks: Each block represents a unit operation (e.g., reactor, separator,
crystallizer).
● Material Flows: Arrows indicate the direction of flow of raw materials,
intermediates, and products.
● Raw Materials and Products: Input and output streams are shown at a high level.
● No Detailed Data: Does not show temperatures, pressures, flow rates, or detailed
equipment specifications—this is reserved for PFDs.
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11. III. BFD and Process Description
Process Description
A process description is a detailed explanation of how a chemical product is manufactured. It
outlines the sequence of operations, chemical reactions, unit processes, and flow of materials
from raw materials to the final product.
From your Chapter 2, Choice of Process, here we discuss the detailed process, reactions,
and parameters in order to produce sour products.
Purpose:
● Provides a technical understanding of the production process.
● Guides process design, equipment selection, and plant layout.
● Supports safety, environmental, and operational planning.
● Acts as a reference for commissioning and operation.
Importance:
● Provides input for detailed engineering design, safety assessment, and economic analysis.
● Serves as a foundation for creating process diagrams like BFD and PFD.
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12. III. BFD and Process Description
Key Points:
● Raw Materials: Type, quality, and form of inputs.
● Process Chemistry: Reactions involved, catalysts, and operating conditions
(temperature, pressure, pH).
● Unit Operations: All steps, both major and minor such as mixing, reaction,
separation, purification, crystallization, or drying.
● Material Flow: How raw materials move through the process to produce
intermediates and final product.
● Utilities: Energy and resources required (steam, cooling water, electricity,
compressed air).
● By-products/Waste: Types, quantities, and disposal methods.
NOTE: Discuss each process per Area, from Feed Handling and Pre-Treatment,
up to Product Purification and Product Handling. Also include Utility Handling
(Water / Air / Energy Treatment) and Waste Handling (Wastewater / Sludge
Treatment)
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13. THANK
YOU!