Conceptual Engineering

The early stages of front end project and process development are critical for the future success of projects involving new technologies and processes. The Conceptual Engineering and Feasibility Study phases provide a technical foundation for downstream engineering while evaluating the viability of a technology or process. Unitel Technologies is uniquely positioned to help clients in these early stages to make their technology idea or process concept become a reality.

The Conceptual Engineering phase can generally be defined as a study phase where the initial technical concepts are further explored and defined and systematic documentation of the concepts are developed.

Process Scenario/Option Analysis

We work in close collaboration with the client to analyze different process scenarios and options for achieving project goals.

Process Scenario Option Analysis

 

Experimentation

Two of our staff members have PhD’s in Chemical Engineering and extensive research backgrounds. In the event that clients do not have their own research facility or the required equipment, we can arrange contract R&D work with partners we have worked with in the past.

Kinetics, Equilibrium and Thermodynamics

A sound understanding of these three parameters is necessary to proceed with a systematic process design. We assist our clients to develop this information with detailed literature studies, research analysis and simulations.

Kinetics Equilibrium Thermodynamics

Preliminary Process Simulation

The Conceptual Engineering Phase includes preliminary process simulations to gain a basic understanding of the process and to provide a platform to investigate various options.

Unitel Technologies has extensive experience in the use of process simulation software. Over the last 20 years, we have worked on a wide variety of projects and processes requiring process simulations. Our broad experience in process simulation ranges from petroleum refining to inorganic chemical syntheses to biomass based processes.

Unitel Technologies currently licenses the AspenONE Engineering suite which includes Aspen Plus and Aspen HYSYS. We have also utilized other software platforms including ChemCAD and Pro II. Unitel also uses the Outokumpu HSC Chemistry software to generate phase stability and reaction equilibrium data.

High Level Heat and Material Balance (HMB)

A natural product of conducting a process simulation is the generation of Heat & Material Balances. A typical study enables a quick analysis of process options to determine an approach for further optimization.

High Level Heat Material Balance

High Level Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs)

Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) are frequently produced during the Conceptual Engineering phase to define and depict process options.

High Level Process Flow Diagrams

Cost Engineering – Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) Class 5 estimates

Cost estimating at a relatively low confidence level is typically carried out during the Conceptual Engineering phase to compare optional process scenarios and generate initial budget estimates to screen a potential project for cost viability.

Based upon the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) cost estimate classification system a Class 5 estimate would be typical for the Conceptual Engineering Phase.

Cost Engineering

Unitel Technologies employs a number of methods and tools to efficiently develop cost estimates with available data and project information. Our knowledge and history with pilot plant, demo plant and other modular systems combined with our broad process industry experience provides us a rich database to develop cost estimates during early project phases in which the level of detailed information is limited. We use parametric models based on past experience at this accuracy range. We may also use equipment factored models employing our in-house major equipment data base and factoring methods combined with ASPEN Cost Estimator.

Recent Clients

Agra
AliphaJet
Altex
Arcadis
Argonne
Arkema
Black & Veatch
Bronte
Brookhaven
Calera
CCM
CAER
Chevron Phillips
Clariter
Clean Energy
CPE
coskata
CPR
Diesel Brewing
Eerc
Elevance
Enpro
Enviro Kure
Esl
Ge Logo
Greenvision
Honeywell Logo
Idatech
Jackco
Johnson Wax
Kogas
Koppers Logo
Los Alamos
Marathon
Mpm
Nasa
NCL
Novus
Optinol
Praxair
PTT Global Chemical
R3 Sciences
Reli On
Reliant Energy
Responsible Energy
Rti International
S2g
Sargent And Lundy Logo
Sierra Energy Logo
Stren
Syngest
University Louisville
US Army
Vertec
Virent