Process Design Decisions and Project Economics

Every successful chemical engineering project starts with a balance between technical feasibility and financial viability. Understanding how to navigate process design decisions while ensuring economic profitability is a critical skill for modern engineers. This text-only course guides you through the fundamental principles of conceptual process design and project economics. You will learn how to evaluate design alternatives, estimate capital and operating costs, and perform profitability analyses to make informed, data-driven decisions. What you'll learn: Understand the hierarchy of chemical process design and decision-making steps; Estimate capital investment, operating costs, and raw material requirements; Apply profitability criteria, including NPV, IRR, and payback periods, to engineering projects; Evaluate trade-offs between alternative process pathways and equipment configurations; Incorporate modern sustainability metrics and environmental impact considerations into economic models; Analyze risk and uncertainty in project cost estimation and forecasting. The course begins with foundational concepts in process synthesis, establishing a clear framework for decision-making. You will then progress through cost engineering techniques, financial analysis tools, and modern sustainability assessments through detailed written explanations and step-by-step calculations. This course is designed for aspiring chemical engineers, project managers, and students seeking a solid foundation in engineering economics. No prior experience in project finance is required. Start reading today to master the essential decisions that drive successful process engineering projects.