Process systems engineering: Past, present and future

Abstract

Process Systems Engineering (PSE) has almost 35 years of history as a new discipline with the mission to establish theories and methods for the planning, design, management, and operation of process systems. In an attempt to grasp the historical perspective of PSE research, this report reviews the past activities of the JSPS Research Committee No. 143 on Process Systems Engineering since its foundation exactly 20 years ago - the period in which the committee has played a pivotal role in the PSE research in the country. The series of PSE International Symposiums which started in Kyoto in 1982, as well as some contributions presented at major conferences held in Europe and North America, are also analyzed. With the 21st century already in the sight, the chemical industries of Japan currently face many difficult challenges. In order for PSE to be able to help solve those problems, further development including some new paradigms, is very much desired. This report touches upon such possibilities.