1. The opening sheet of the file EQUIPMENT COSTS is called CALCULATION PAGE. The column at the left lists equipment types alphabetically. The names used are the same as those on the cost figures in the text. CLICK a name to SELECT an EQUIPMENT TYPE. This brings up a panel in the upper right of the screen.

2. The upper right panel shows the text Figure # and title for the source of the cost data plus additional equipment specifications as needed. CLICK to SELECT the APPROPRIATE LINE. This brings up a panel on the lower right.

3. In the lower right panel input REQUIRED DESIGN PARAMETERS, as requested. An equipment number is requested, and must be supplied by the user in order for results to be transferred to the EQUIPMENT LIST. CLICK appropriate RADIO BUTTONS, if shown, to select discreet parameters, such as operating pressure and material of construction. When entries are complete, CLICK on CALCULATE. All calculated values are purchased costs unless otherwise noted.

4. The lower right panel shows the calculated cost of the item in $. "Add value" TRANSFERS the equipment information to the EQUIPMENT LIST. "Display Results" shows the EQUIPMENT LIST, and "Clear Results" deletes all EQUIPMENT LIST entries. The use of the button "Display CSV" is described below.

5. Upon clicking "Display Results," the user will be asked for a date, and then for the value of the Chemical Engineering (CE) Plant Cost Index. The default values are Jan. 2002 and CE index = 390.4 (the basis for the calculated costs). Any appropriate date may be entered; the CE index entered should correspond to that date; the index must be extrapolated for dates beyond the most recently available value. Costs shown on the EQUIPMENT LIST are updated with the index provided. Only one date and CE index may be used per session (the latest entered is applied to all costs).

6. At the top of the EQUIPMENT LIST, the user may enter project identification information. In the last column on the right of the EQUIPMENT LIST, the user may insert additional information about the equipment, such as a dimension or design pressure.

7. Return to the CALCULATION PAGE and continue, by repeating the foregoing steps, adding equipment until project costing is complete.

8. The EQUIPMENT LIST can be PRINTed. WARNING: EQUIPMENT LIST is not saved when the EQUIPMENT COST file is closed.

9. The EQUIPMENT LIST can be transferred to a spreadsheet as follows:
a. Open a notepad.
b. Click "Display CSV." Copy the resulting page and paste it in the notepad.
c. Save the notepad file with a '.csv' extension (without quotes) to a convenient location.
d. Open a spreadsheet application. The following instructions are for Excel.
e. Click 'Data' -> 'Get External Data -> 'Import Text File.'
f. Find and select the .csv file saved in step c. Make sure that you see all file types if it doesn't show up.
g. Follow the instructions of the wizard. In step 2, check 'Other' and insert '#' (without quotes) into the box next to Other.

10. To continue with an economic analysis, the total Purchased Equipment Cost may be manually entered into cell H12 on the "Capital Inv." spreadsheet, or copied from the spreadsheet made in step 9.

Click here to begin using the cost estimator tool