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Physical Chemistry in Industrial Processes

Scale-up, costs and siting a chemical plant

  • 3 things to know
  • AS 3

Overview

Batch and continuous processes, capital, direct and indirect costs, laboratory against industrial scale, pilot plants, heat control, a worked cost per tonne, and choosing a site for a chemical plant.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Process

What is a batch process?

Process

What is a continuous process?

Process

Why are pharmaceuticals usually made by batch processes?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is a batch process?

    Model answer

    A batch process loads a fixed quantity of reactants, reacts them and then empties the vessel. The vessel is cleaned before the next batch.

  2. 2

    What is a continuous process?

    Model answer

    A continuous process feeds reactants in and removes products without stopping, often for months. Large-tonnage chemicals such as ammonia and sulfuric acid are made this way.

  3. 3

    Why are pharmaceuticals usually made by batch processes?

    Model answer

    Pharmaceuticals are needed in small quantities and have a high value. Batch plant is flexible and can switch between products, and each batch can be tested and traced.

  4. 4

    Give two advantages of a continuous process over a batch process.

    Model answer

    A continuous process gives consistent product quality with a low labour cost per tonne. The plant also avoids the time lost emptying and refilling vessels.

  5. 5

    What are the capital costs of a chemical plant?

    Model answer

    Capital costs are the one-off costs of building the plant. Land, buildings, reactors, pipework and control systems are all capital costs.

  6. 6

    What are direct costs in chemical manufacture?

    Model answer

    Direct costs arise from making the product and rise with output. Raw materials, energy and waste treatment are direct costs.

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