IDEF0 Activity Modeling for Integrated Process Design Considering Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Aspects

We present an activity model of novel chemical process design. This model defines different stages of early process design, i.e. process chemistry and conceptual design, with appropriate process evaluation indicators. Environmental, health and safety (EHS) aspects are considered new assessment criteria together with conventional economic and technical indicators. The type-zero method of Integrated DEFinition language or IDEF0 is selected as a method for activity modeling. The activity model is described from the viewpoint a design-project manager who leads a group of process chemists and engineers. Application of IDEF0 enables systematic and transparent description of complex design activities, where the manager has to consider different types of design constraints and resources at different design stages.