A Broader Analysis
In the aspirin manufacturing case, choices were made during the development of the manufacturing process which were designed to make the best product possible. Industrially, the acetic anhydride reaction pathway is used. By using a solvent which does not react, all of the products from the acetic anhydride reaction can be recycled back into the reaction chamber along with the catalyst. The acetic acid is transformed back into acetic anhydride in order to save the cost of separation and disposal as well as the costs of purchasing new acetic anhydride.
There are still other aspects of the process which are considered by process engineers. Costs of reactants, equipment, or skilled workers needs to be accounted for by decision-makers. Environmental regulations as well as the safety and viability of a reaction are also concerns. In many cases, certain reactions employ hazardous or explosive chemicals as reactants, intermediates, and/or products. This risk is a factors in any decision which is made.
When a bench chemist designs a synthesis, many of the concerns that a process engineer faces are not considered. The goal at the bench to create new compound. Once the reaction is known, then the decision-0making process needs to be undertaken to determine whether if this new synthesis is a feasible mean of producing a product. If so, the engineers must work to design a process which takes into consideration all of the ideas discussed in this case study amongst many others. A balance between cost, process efficiency, energy efficiency, environmental concern, safety, equipment cost, capitol investments, skilled labor, and many other areas must be maintained. Only through informed decision-making and educated expert thinking will the best decision be reached.
Cooperation and communication are two major keys in the decision-making process.
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