• Question: What criteria do you use when deciding between multiple design options?

    Asked by SPT :) to Carson, Jo, Lauren on 17 Nov 2017.
    • Photo: Lauren Ashmore

      Lauren Ashmore answered on 17 Nov 2017:

      When deciding on what valves/equipment to use within a package you need to take into consideration the following; customers preference – they sometimes have a preferred manufacturer or style, technical specification – different manufacturers/products offer different advantages and disadvantages you need to look at the specific application, value engineering – it’s often not the most expensive or cheapest option which is the best option – look at the advantages and price to decide, Efficiency – what is the best option in terms of energy efficiency after install and time efficiency during design and manufacture. This criteria can often be scaled up to look at bigger problems.

    • Photo: Jo Collins

      Jo Collins answered on 17 Nov 2017:

      The big question we have to consider is whether we want to spend more on capital (equipment) or power – one is a fixed cost and one is an on going cost and we have to weigh up which is more critical.
      We have to consider how flexible the plant needs to be – do we want it to continue running 24-7 or do we want to be able to turn it off and on again easily, to accommodate fluctuating demand.
      We have to look at what pressures, purity and flow rate our customers want our product so we can offer them something that suits their needs.
      When it comes to choosing what equipment we have to look for the cheapest option, but then ask ourselves if there is a reason why it is cheap – will it be poor quality, will we end up paying loads more in freight to get it to site compared to a local supplier, can we negotiate a more competitive price from another more reputable vendor.

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