Chapter 23 - Concluding Thoughts: Launching Successful Process-Integration Initiatives and Applications

Abstract

This chapter discusses key items associated with the successful initiation, development, and implementation of successful process integration (PI) applications. Many successful PI applications around the world attest to the power, uniqueness, and effectiveness of PI. A processing facility is a complex system of technologies, chemistries, units, and streams. Without an integrated approach to optimizing these systems, it becomes extremely difficult to understand the global insights and interactions of the process, identify broad opportunities, and develop sitewide implementation. In the commercial implementation of PI, there are some serious pitfalls that must be avoided such as improper data extraction, improper simulation, inappropriate accounting for uncertainties and dynamic changes, lack of appropriate in-depth knowledge, and insufficient consideration of constraints and objectives. Tools, procedures, and insights are very important in applying PI but are not sufficient in starting and sustaining PI initiatives and projects. In this context, personal initiatives, human resources, work processes, and working cultures are all necessary. Finally, the gap between the status quo and the true potential of the process is typically large, and there are tremendous opportunities for continuous process improvement on the road to sustainability. A combination of the right framework, tools, approach, work process, human resources, mind-set, and attitude is a recipe for success.