DESIGN PROCESS MODEL FOR OPTIMIZING DESIGN OF CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION PROCESSES

The non-growing market situation in pulp and paper industry has tightened the competition. Cutting the design costs by integrating design activities is not going to be enough but the design itself has to be improved. The design of continuous production processes can be enhanced by utilizing optimization techniques during the design process. The benefit of the optimization techniques in process design depends on adequate usage of them during the design process. However, this paradigm shift will require changes in the existing design processes. In this study, the required changes are identified and a new design process model describing the optimizing design utilization is developed. The model is then assessed through a case study and an interview study to ensure that the design process can be realized in the conceptual design phase of a real delivery project.