Chemistry and Biochemistry: Research Progress Vol. 8

The chemical industry has the goal of generating profits, but the expenses involved in its construction and operation are high. Making bad decisions leads to big losses. In this context, computer simulation becomes fundamental in the development of any project in the chemical industry, from the attempt to optimise equipment to the implementation of a new industrial plant. Simulation allows a consistent and detailed approach to reality. In this work, the economic evaluation of a formalin plant was made. Formalin is the aqueous formaldehyde solution, marketed at 25 to 56% wt. UniSim^®Design Suite R390.1 software was used to perform the computer simulation of the plant. The capital and operational costs were estimated using concepts based on reference literature. Economic feasibility was analysed by calculating net present value and internal rate of return, considering two distinct values for the interest rate, 10% and 15%. For the first, the venture was proved feasible and attractive. For the second, the feasibility was not achieved.