Modular Process Intensification

Chemical companies are constantly seeking new, high-margin growth opportunities — the majority of which lie in high-grade, specialty chemicals, rather than in the bulk sector. To realize these opportunities, manufacturers are  considering decentralized, flexible production facilities. Small modular plants have low financial risks, are flexible, and can respond rapidly to changes in demand. Modularization of chemical production can  have potentially significant economic and safety benefits. This article reviews several drivers for modular production and evaluates modular production architectures based on value density of feedstock resources and markets for the products.