A 10 m3 vessel costs USD 200,000. Using six-tenths scaling, estimated cost of a geometrically similar 40 m3 vessel is most nearly:
- (A)459479 USD
- (B)551375 USD
- (C)800000 USD
- (D)1600000 USD
Show worked solution
Answer: (A)
C2=C1(S2/S1)^0.6=200,000(4^0.6)=USD 459,479.
Capacity-cost scaling uses the specified empirical exponent.
The capacity ratio is four.
FE Reference Handbook — Process Design: Equipment Cost Scaling
Why the other choices appear
- (B)Applying an unsupported 20% final scaling overstates the result obtained from the governing relation.
- (C)Using linear scaling assumes cost grows directly with capacity.
- (D)Using capacity ratio squared greatly overstates scale economy.