In many energy assessment programs, time is set aside to evaluate the list of PFD
review ideas immediately after the review meetings are completed. This is desirable, as
the thinking behind the ideas is then fresh and accessible. The goal at this stage is not to
develop definitive designs and extremely accurate cost estimates. Rather, the purpose is
to screen the ideas with sufficient accuracy to weed out those that cannot realistically
result in a viable return on investment. The end result is a shortlist of the most attractive
projects, ranked by estimated payback. Viable options that do not require new facilities
can then be implemented by the plant operations group, and projects that require
investment can be incorporated into the work plan for the corporate project engineering
group