Cost Data

        One of the most important concerns when making decisions is cost. Often, the cost constraints which are placed upon a project can eliminate many options which might otherwise seem attractive. For the aspirin manufacturing case, the costs of raw materials and simple disposal costs are listed below.

RAW MATERIAL COSTS
        The costs listed below are all for comparable delivery methods. For example, each is delivered in tanks to the plant. Be aware that the prices shown may be in different units as stated.

Materials Costs
Acetic anhydride $0.515/lb
Acetyl chloride$9.75 / lb
Salicylic acid $1.41 / lb
Sulfuric acid $75.00 / ton
Toluene$0.85 / gal

DISPOSAL COSTS
        The amounts listed here do not include the added costs of separation and transportation of the materials discuss.  Disposal costs are based on removal by 55 gallon drum. Both mixed organic liquids and aqueous acid mixtures at pH 2 cost $150.00 per drum.

        Now that you have had an opportunity to examine the cost data, which of the two reactions would you choose?

Acetyl chloride                     Acetic anhydride
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