New Appoaches in the Process Industries: The Manufacturing Plant of the Future

9

Plant of the Future

A vision for the “plant of the future” or for a “dream” plant, to quote Gérard Collette, the author of the introduction of this book, lays on a scientific approach based on Chemical Engineering and on industrial management.

Chemical Engineering, a science of the integration of several sciences and techniques, will define among others all equipment specifications, all operating procedures, instrumentation, needs for utilities and identification of all wastes.

Industrial management is part of the enterprise operations or manufacturing function whatever its denomination. Industrial management is concerned by the resources needed to cope with capital and operating expenditures (CAPEX & OPEX). CAPEX include the cost of engineering and the cost of construction of the facility. Building a facility is by definition “capitalistic”; return on investment is a prerequisite to all investment.

The “plant of the future” should abide by the concept of sustainability simply defined by the three P’s (People Profit Planet).

To be profitable in the long run the industrial asset must be designed and operated for the customers; this is its raison d'être, its value added to society.

Observance of the P’s has to deal with societal challenges and environment protection in a broad sense.

Societal matters include safety, respect of people and regulations, increase in population wellbeing, etc.

Environmental matters deal with the utiization of renewable raw materials and sources of energy; ...