How can you use appropriate tools and methods for engineering design evaluation and testing?

The rapid advancement of AI has the potential to revolutionize the landscape. These tools can seamlessly blend traditional human-centric approaches with analytical capabilities, resulting in a robust, agile, and user-friendly package for design evaluation.

Developing Dynamic Simulation Models on Internationally recognised Process Engineering & Pipeline network software is an effective way of evaluating the design adequacy and bottlenecks of full plants (i.e. for all static, rotating equipment & piping) or pipeline networks under different operating conditions and scenarios.

Prototyping has traditionally been associated with significant costs, but the advent of innovative techniques like additive manufacturing and 3D printing has transformed the landscape. These technologies have emerged as game-changers, substantially reducing the financial burden often associated with prototyping. Furthermore, it's paramount to replicate production conditions as closely as possible when creating a prototype. Doing so ensures that the results obtained are not only cost-effective but also reliable, aligning more closely with the expected outcomes of mass production. This approach enhances the overall quality and utility of the prototype, making it an invaluable step in the product development process.

1.One effective way to evaluate different designs and choose the best alternative is to prepare a Design support package. This includes preparing a preliminary PFD and steady state simulation and lessons learned from previous projects along with a clear justification of the best alternative. The optimal design alternatives need to be reviewed based on the input feed forecast variations over the entire operating envelope of the process. 2. In addition process and safety studies(such as HAZID, HAZOP, QRA, SIL) need to be conducted at different stages during the life cycle of a project.

1. The tools normally utilized for evaluation and testing need to be recognized internationally and not which are developed in-house. Such tools/ software are generally quite costly to purchase and maintain. 2. Developing an accurate dynamic simulation model requires a lot of input data of all equipment, piping and controls, which requires specialized manpower. 3.In addition most of input data are available only after the final documents of a project have been issued for construction. At such a stage of the project, any design changes arising out of such a study shall entail additional time and money.

1. Plants are normally designed to operate within a specific feed envelope as defined in the Process Design Basis document of a project. 2. Plant construction typically takes 3-5 years. 3. During this period the feed may undergo changes (such as an increase in water cut in a Hydrocarbon unit). Hence, the process guarantees may become a bone of contention (as the feed specifications may not match the feed composition) while carrying out the Performance testing and evaluation of the unit.

One of the most useful tools in the design process is the use of PLM tools during product development, which manage all processes, such as CAD, CAE, CAM, project document management, change process management, project management and many concepts related to product development. Even by integrating this tool with the topics of IoT, VR and AR, many topics of simulation, communication with the customer and even the training of consumers and service workers can be added to this collection. To link the product cycle from design to production and consumption.

The important things in applying tools for design evaluation are boundary limits of model, definitions of variables, simulation of variables as close to the actual as reasonably practical. Then correct interpretation of results and knowing limitations are also very important.