METHODICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PROCESSES.

The development of complex systems is largely dependent on methodically structured procedures to provide a clear-cut framework for the application of specialist knowledge and creativity and to develop and exploit the field of possible solutions in order to single out a 'powerful' solution. The method of choice should always be systems engineering. It provides, in a relatively abstract and interpretable manner, principles, methods, and proven aids in the form of a system concept, a systems engineering plan of procedure, and project management. A brief introduction to the system concept is followed by application of the systems engieering procedural model to process development. Safety engineering and data acquisition are then considered in detail. Heuristic procedural models are also discussed in relation to data acquisition. Expert systems are recommended for setting up stores of information. The contribution is concluded by a survey of computer-aided process development.