Is modular design a new trend for processing plants?

Processing plants must support operations that often require high precision production. Ultimately, it falls into neither category — it kind of falls into both. In recent years, there’s been a new trend with processing plants: modular design. What’s going on? Why is this trend gaining traction? What do companies hope to get out of it?

What changes should a modular system make to the design process?

Changes to the design process include planning what is assembled off-site and what is constructed on site. Changes also must include detailing the interface of the modular system and the plant. Notably, the need for greater precision with modules also speaks to a critical technological need. Such modules need high precision definitions.

Is modular design the future of plant design & construction?

The plant design and construction industry is an old school one. However, many companies are injecting a bit of innovation into the processes by adopting modular approaches. Some do it as a way to enable prefabrication work off-site.

What is a modular platform?

Instead of merely trying to tweak prior design work, some companies are transitioning to a modular platform. In this effort, engineers develop modules that fulfill particular functions. Engineers then mix and match those modules to plan unique combinations, fulfilling the unique needs of a specific processing plant.

What are the benefits of modular plant design?

When done right, the benefits of modular plant design are many. Using this approach helps companies respond faster and more accurately to customer requests for quotation (RFQ), accelerate the design process, please customers with unique designs, and apply best practices borne from small numbers of highly experienced experts.

Why do companies adopt a modular approach?

However, many companies are injecting a bit of innovation into the processes by adopting modular approaches. Some do it as a way to enable prefabrication work off-site. Others do it to increase variability for their customers while increasing reuse.In both cases, new technological capabilities are needed to enable change.