One of the modular plant design projects which our consulting engineers delivered for a Perth-based client involved designing a modular unit which consisted of basic process control systems (BPCS), safety instrumented systems (SIS), stainless steel tank, skid structure and ladder. This modular design also consists of pumps, instrumentation and process control, pipe and fittings. The project started off by developing the design basis and then completing the process engineering design and mechanical engineering design components.
- Process equipment and pipe sizing
- Calculating pressure drop by simulation
- Multiphase process calculations
- Selecting and sizing valves
- Selecting and sizing instrumentation
- PFDs and piping & instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)
- Developing the functional specification for process control
- Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) multiphase simulations
- Mechanical design of tank, skid structure and ladder
- Mechanical stress calculations
- Specifying nozzles and appropriate flanges
- Pipe material and schedule selection
- Pipe fittings selection and sizing
- Pipe routing
- Developing the plant layout
- Finite element analysis (FEA) structural simulations
Applicable Australian Standards:
- Electrical performance according to EN60034-1
- Hydraulic performance according to ISO9906
- Mechanical seal according to 12756 & ISO 3069
- International protection marking, IP Code IEC standard 60529
- AS 4100:1998 Steel structures
- AS 1657:2018 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders
- AS 1170:2007 Structural design actions
- AS 1554:2004 Structural steel welding
- AS 1692:2006 Steel tanks for flammable & combustible liquids
- AS 2129:2000 Flanges for pipes, valves and fittings
- AS 4130:2009 Polyethylene (PE) pipes for pressure application
- AS NZS 2033:2008 Installation of polyethylene pipe systems
- AS 4041:2006 Pressure piping
- AS 1345:1995 Identification of the contents of pipes conduits and ducts
- AS 1939:1990 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
- AS IEC 61882:2003 Hazard and operability studies (HAZOP studies)
- AS 1100.101:1992 Technical drawing - General principles
- AS 1100.201:1992 Technical drawing part 201 Mechanical engineering drawing
The key process plant design deliverables for this modular process plant project were: design basis, equipment & instrument specifications, process flow diagram (PFD), piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID), equipment/valve/instrument list, basic process control systems (BPCS), safety instrumented systems (SIS), functional specification, general arrangement drawings, cost estimate, datasheets, HAZOP study, hazardous area classification and 3D modelling.
In this modular plant, the process equipment, instrumentation, valves, piping components, and electrical wiring were all skid-mounted within a structural steel framework. Heat tracing, thermal insulation, and an integrated control system were all included in this skid-mounted unit. Each skid-mounted unit was designed to be a self-contained process unit and scalable. When a plant needs to ramp up production and increase its production capacity, multiple similar skid-mounted units could be connected together at the process plant site to form a large process system with a higher plant capacity. This modular plant design employed more steel than traditional construction, because each module was designed to stand independently and to withstand the stresses of being transported, lifted, and erected. The skid-mounted units were therefore structurally stronger than conventional units constructed onsite.
The benefits of our process skid-mounted units are they are highly mobile and can be transported from one location to another as and when required. Since they are self-contained, our skid-mounted units have a smaller foot print, thus saving space in the process plant site. Our process plant engineers work closely with fabricators to ensure only quality fit-for-purpose modular units are delivered to the clients. Apart from being highly scalable, each skid-mounted unit can employ different process equipment such that by swapping different skid-mounted units, the modular plant process can be altered to pursue a different process objective. In addition, they are safer to fabricate because they are fabricated offsite. Fabricating modular plants offsite does not interfere with onsite operations and allows onsite process plant upgrade to proceed simultaneously. The ability to complete these steps in parallel can eliminate months off the project schedule, allowing process plants to achieve their goals faster.
We differentiate ourselves from other engineering firms in the sense that all our skid-mounted designs are conducted by our in-house process plant design engineers, supported by our performance-based technology to ensure that all skid-mounted units that our plant engineering designers designed will work effectively prior to fabrication. Our skid-mounted unit can be housed in an open steel frame or housed inside a shipping container. As process plant consultants, we have delivered many skid-mounted units to clients from various industries such as chemical process, mining, pharmaceutical and water industries.
In a semiconductor cleanroom context, contamination is a process that causes surfaces to be soiled with contaminating substances such as random particles. The two broad categories of surface contaminants are particulates and film type. These contaminants can produce serious defects in a microelectronic wafer manufactured in a semiconductor cleanroom. Film contaminants of only 10 nanometres, for example, can drastically reduce the adhesion of a coating on a wafer or chip. Although particles of 0.5 micron or larger are typically the target, some industries are now targeting even smaller particles. Thus, it is highly important to prevent these contaminants from entering the cleanroom through proper cleanroom design.
Our engineering team designs cleanroom facility using the bay and chase concept to prevent contamination of products. In a unidirectional airflow, air patterns are optimised whilst air turbulence is minimised. Usually, in a vertical laminar flow cleanroom, air is introduced through ceiling HEPA filters and returned at the base of sidewalls or through a raised-access floor. The air enters from the entire ceiling area, so this configuration produces nominally parallel airflow. Whilst in a cleanroom with a low-class number the greater part of the ceiling requires HEPA filters, for an ISO Class 5 or better cleanroom, the entire ceiling may require HEPA filtration to provide good uniform velocity. Ideally, the air return flows through a grated or perforated floor. In a vertical downflow cleanroom, the entire room is bathed in a uniform shower of downward-flowing ultraclean air. With this design, contamination that is generated in the space is swept down and out through the floor and will not move laterally against the downward flow of air or contribute to contamination build up in the room. Through a proper design and a precise installation, a highly controlled cleanroom can be attained.
Finally, our design is verified using CFD analysis by our in-house CFD simulation specialists using the most advanced CFD package.
As one of the most knowledgeable process plant consultants providing plant engineering design services, we have successfully designed and delivered several notable chemical plants in Australia and Singapore. The success of a chemical plant depends much on the process technology. Our in-house experienced process engineering consultants ensure that the process technology and process engineering design are viable before proceeding to the next stage of chemical plant design.
In general, our deliverables for process plant design includes:
- Kick-off meeting with client's team to define project scope and execution plan
- Conduct site visit to gather necessary data
- Develop design basis, outlining key process parameters and criteria
- Define process design criteria, including operating conditions and margins
- Generate mass and energy balance to quantify material and energy flows
- Perform process calculations to ensure system meets design specs
- Perform pressure drop and hydraulic analysis for piping networks
- Evaluate heat integration opportunities to improve energy efficiency
- Create PFDs and P&IDs for process and control system visualisation
- Prepare functional specification for operations, controls and interfaces
- Review process design with client to ensure alignment with requirements
- Assess environmental impact and integrate mitigation measures into design
- Conduct HAZOP with client to identify and mitigate risks
- Ensure compliance with industry standards and safety regulations
- Prepare lists for valves, piping lines and spares for maintenance
- Develop datasheets for critical equipment, specifying design and materials
- Perform mechanical calculations, including stress analysis and sizing
- Design piping systems and fittings, considering compatibility and expansion
- Create MTO lists for all mechanical components
- Review mechanical design with client to verify integrity
- Specify insulation and coating requirements for piping and equipment
- Ensure compliance with mechanical safety standards and codes
- Perform structural calculations and prepare structural lists
- Review structural design with the client
- Conduct electrical studies and prepare instrument lists
- Develop electrical datasheets and perform calculations
- Design electrical systems and prepare MTO lists
- Review electrical design with the client
- Process flow diagrams
- Piping & instrumentation diagrams
- 2D and 3D plant layout
- General arrangement (GA), piping, platforms and structures
- Detailed pipe routing and support design
- Mechanical drawings - isometrics
- Detailed plant layout design
- Mechanical drawings
- Electrical drawings
- Pipe, site, equipment and plant labelling
- Structural concrete drawings
- Structural steel drawings
AUSTRALIA SINGAPORE