Process Engineering
Design
for distillers

Allen Associates is the largest Scottish based chemical and process engineering design consultancy serving the Scotch whisky and related industries.

Comprising a team of highly qualified chemical engineers with a broad range of expertise and over 100 years combined experience, the consultancy provides clients with a range of professional engineering solutions from simple advice and process audits to full concept and commissioning design/support services.

Allen Associates predominantly works in the drinks, food and process industries, with clients ranging from small craft distillers to multi-national corporations. Although Scotland remains a key location, the consultancy has a global reputation and a growing list of international clients.

The consultancy has multiple industry recognised accreditations, including ISO9001 for process design, ensuring that every project, whether it is an initial audit or a full distillery design, receives the same professional, market leading approach and attention to detail.

Our Services

From start to finish, and everything in between, the Allen Associates team has the expertise and experience to handle every aspect of your project.

Feasibility stage:

  • Concept design & feasibility studies
  • Process flow diagrams (PFDs)
  • Initial 2D and 3D plant layouts
  • Energy and mass balances
  • Site master planning
  • Evaluation of alternative designs
  • Conducting trials
  • Process modelling
  • Preparation of cost estimates
  • Calculations of project savings, pay-back and KPI impact
  • Preparation of design reports
  • Preliminary risk and SHE assessments

Detailed engineering:

  • Piping & instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
  • Equipment design, specification and selection
  • Functional design specifications (FDS)
  • 3D process plant and pipework layout modelling
  • Hydraulic and thermodynamic calculations
  • Design QA and technical sign off
  • Pinch technology
  • Pressure systems
  • System design engineering
  • Hygienic design engineering
  • Utilities design
  • Heat recovery system design
  • Cleaning in Place (CIP) design
  • Process safety – HAZOP, LOPA, DSEAR
  • Working in a design team – client, architect, structural, QS, etc

Project engineering & implementation:

  • QS Services for process costs – control, budgeting, planning & reporting
  • Preparation of tenders and bid analysis
  • Project planning Liaising with contractors
  • Site installation support & guidance
  • Handling technical queries (TQs)
  • Plant testing & commissioning
  • Start-up support
  • Operator training
  • Handover documentation

Capex Management

Allen associates is well aware that engineering and management time is a premium, and as such has looked at ways to free up clients’ valuable internal resources. The consultancy has worked with a number of clients to manage and deliver all the capex projects for a site over a year including the preparation of the specific capex approval documentation.

Since launching in 1994 Allen Associates has undertaken over 1,000 distilled spirit design projects across the UK and overseas. In addition the team has worked with clients in the food and soft drinks industries, water industry, fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals.