Before you spend capital, know what actually works.
Feasibility studies that compare the options, quantify the economics and find the most profitable path forward.
Feasibility Studies & Process Evaluations
Better investment decisions, before capital is committed
Every project starts with a decision. DWC Innovations helps refiners, petrochemical producers and chemical companies evaluate opportunities, identify constraints, quantify the economics and choose the most profitable path forward.
Whether the goal is more throughput, lower energy use, better product quality or a new technology, our refinery feasibility studies combine process simulation, equipment evaluation and economic analysis to support confident investment decisions.
Why Clients Request a Feasibility Study
Most projects have several possible solutions. The challenge is finding the one with the strongest economics.
Increase capacity
Find how much more throughput is possible and where the true bottlenecks are.
Improve product quality
Evaluate options for tighter specifications and higher recovery.
Reduce energy use
Identify ways to lower utility consumption and operating cost.
Evaluate new technology
Compare conventional approaches with advanced options such as DWC Prime™.
Reduce project risk
Quantify capital cost, operating cost and payback before you invest.
What You Receive
A process feasibility study that builds the technical picture first, then the economics, and ends with a clear recommendation.
Technical picture3
- Technical assessment: review of plant design, operating data, equipment limits and process bottlenecks
- Process simulation: a calibrated process model to evaluate alternatives and predict performance
- Equipment evaluation: columns, exchangers, pumps and utility systems checked against the new duty
Decision3
- Revamp options: practical modifications ranked by technical merit and economic benefit
- Economic analysis: utility consumption, operating cost, capital cost and payback; capital estimates by our team or your own estimating group
- Recommended path forward: a clear recommendation backed by engineering analysis and economics
Most Projects Don’t Need New Units
Many opportunities can be captured by improving existing equipment rather than building new facilities. Our revamp evaluations cover distillation revamps, naphtha splitter upgrades, deisohexanizer modifications, hydrotreater improvements, capacity expansion studies and DWC Prime™ retrofit options.
The objective is always the same: maximum return with minimum capital.
Existing equipment first
Options start from what is already installed and how it performs today.
Innovative modifications
Process changes that raise capacity, energy efficiency or yield.
DWC Prime™ in the option set
Dividing-wall column technology evaluated alongside conventional revamps.
Studies That Led to Results
Problems solved with existing assets, not new units. Several of these studies were awarded on nomination after earlier work. More on distillation optimization →
Mixed pentane production
An Indian refinery made on-spec mixed pentanes from an existing two-column unit within two days of starting the plant trial.
Isopentane added
A heating-medium change and a reflux pump impeller modification instead of a unit revamp.
Hexane unit debottlenecked
Hydraulic evaluation led to targeted fixes: high-capacity trays, a parallel reboiler and upgraded reflux pumps.
DWC Prime™ retrofits
Studies comparing conventional revamps with a dividing wall column, the starting point for our commercial DWC Prime™ projects.
Recommendations grounded in process modeling and operating reality.
Experience across refining, petrochemical and chemical processing.
Studies, engineering, licensing and implementation support from one team.
From Study to Successful Project
When the study shows a viable opportunity, we carry the chosen option forward and reduce uncertainty at every stage.
- Feasibility StudyIs the opportunity worth pursuing?
- Basic EngineeringWhat is the preferred process solution?
- FEED PackageWhat will it cost, and how will it be built?
- Detailed EngineeringCan we build it right the first time?
- Technical ServicesDoes it perform as designed?
Questions clients ask
What does a feasibility study cover?
A review of the existing process design, equipment and operating history; an assessment of limitations and bottlenecks; the modifications needed to meet new objectives; and preliminary utility, capital cost and payback estimates.
Why commission one before investing?
Most projects have several possible solutions. A feasibility study finds the one with the strongest economics and quantifies capital cost, operating cost and payback before money is committed.
Can DWC Prime™ be part of the study?
Yes. For retrofits we evaluate innovative process modifications and advanced technologies, including our proprietary DWC Prime™ dividing-wall column solution.
What comes after the study?
If the study shows a viable opportunity, the next step is a Basic Engineering Design Package, which de-risks the project further with greater technical confidence and better cost accuracy.
From first study to start-up
Want a feasibility study for your unit?
Talk to our engineers about a feasibility study or a basic engineering design package for your unit.