Engineering line diagram development from process flowsheets Part 1: Shortfalls in current practice

Engineering line diagram (ELD) development forms a distinct phase in proces s plant design. It is a complex and expensive activity and as such warrants considerable effort to minimise costs and maximise effectiveness. In this paper, the nature of the ELD design task is analysed in order to understand how it could be carried out more effectively. A number of shortfalls in cu rrent practice are discussed. These shortfalls were identified through a co mbination of the following activities: a review of the literature; a survey of current practice and follow-up line diagram development exercise; and t ask analysis work carried out at ICI. The most significant findings of the survey of current practice are presented. It is proposed that the shortfall s identified can be overcome by introducing structure to the design task. T he manner in which this can be achieved is the subject of the second part o f this paper. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.