Conceptual Design and Process Synthesis

Systematic approaches for the invention of conceptual chemical process designs have been proposed and discussed for more than twenty-five years, and have now been developed to the point of industrial application. Process synthesis has also now become an integral part of many chemical engineering design curricula. CACHE has contributed to the promotion and advancement of conceptual design and process synthesis methods through case studies, educational software products, symposia, and the sponsorship of process synthesis sessions within the Foundations of Computer-Aided Process Design conference series. Although much progress has been made, continuing research advances suggest that significant improvements in industrial and educational conceptual design and process synthesis methods and tools can be expected in the near future.