A General Guide for a Process Design Basis - WittyWriter
A General Guide for a Process Design Basis
1.0 Introduction
The Process Design Basis is a foundational document that establishes the specific conditions, parameters, and requirements for a process plant or system. It serves as the primary reference for all subsequent design, engineering, and procurement activities, ensuring consistency across the project.
Note: While this guide provides a comprehensive template, any project-specific design basis or licensor-provided requirements, when available, should always be the primary reference and take precedence.
2.0 Project & Plant Definition
Plant Capacity & Turndown
Nameplate Capacity: [Specify the design capacity, e.g., 1000 tons/day]
Turndown Factor: [Specify the minimum stable operating rate, e.g., 60% of design]
On-Stream Factor: [Specify the expected operational uptime, e.g., 8000 hrs/annum]
Provision for Future Expansion: [Describe any built-in provisions for future debottlenecking or expansion]
Plant Life: [Specify the design life, e.g., 25 years]
Codes and Standards
All design and engineering shall conform to the latest editions of applicable international, national, and local codes and standards. A project-specific list of governing codes (e.g., ASME, API, ISO) should be established.
3.0 Units of Measurement
All project documentation will use a consistent set of units. The following are common examples, but must be confirmed for each project.
Parameter
Unit
Temperature
°C
Pressure (gauge)
kg/cm²g or barg
Pressure (absolute)
kg/cm²a or bara
Vacuum
mm Hg (abs) or mbar (abs)
Draft / Low Pressure
mm WC
Mass Flowrate
kg/h
Liquid Volumetric Flowrate
m³/h
Vapour Volumetric Flowrate
Nm³/h (Normal) or Sm³/h (Standard)
Heat Duty
kcal/h or kW
Heat Transfer Coefficient
kcal/h-m²-°C or W/m²-K
Liquid Density
kg/m³
Viscosity (Dynamic)
cP
Viscosity (Kinematic)
cSt
Power
kW
Head
m
4.0 Meteorological Data
All equipment and systems must be designed to operate safely and reliably under the specified site environmental conditions.
Parameter
Minimum
Normal / Average
Maximum / Design
Elevation Above Sea Level, m
[Value]
Barometric Pressure, kg/cm²a
[Value]
Ambient Temperature, °C
[Value]
[Value]
[Value]
Relative Humidity, %
[Value]
[Value]
[Value]
Rainfall Data (e.g., for 1-hr period)
[Value]
Wind Data (Velocity, m/s)
[Value]
Data for Equipment Design
Design Dry Bulb Temperature, °C
[Value]
Design Wet Bulb Temperature, °C
[Value]
Design Air Temp. for Air Cooled Exchangers, °C
[Value]
Low Ambient Temp. for MDMT, °C
[Value]
5.0 Feed and Production Specification
The plant is designed to process the feeds and produce the products specified below.