Equipment design develops the configuration, dimensions, materials, and specifications for pressure vessels, heat exchangers, process equipment, and systems meeting functional requirements while being manufacturable, operable, and maintainable. Design process includes requirements definition, concept development, detailed engineering with calculations and drawings, fabrication specification, and documentation. For pressure vessels and process equipment, design must satisfy ASME code requirements, process performance needs, installation constraints, and operational considerations.

Effective equipment design balances competing objectives including code compliance and safety, process performance requirements, fabrication efficiency and cost, installation and maintenance considerations, and lifecycle economics. Design optimization refines configurations reducing material, simplifying fabrication, or improving performance. Modern design uses computational tools including process simulation, finite element analysis, and 3D modeling enabling design verification and optimization. Design quality significantly impacts fabrication cost, installation efficiency, operational performance, and maintenance requirements throughout equipment life.