Calculation methodology

Status and purpose

The calculator is planned. This page defines the intended public method so that its assumptions can be reviewed before launch. It does not currently calculate a result or provide a price.

The calculation will estimate the present cost of a recurring, measurable fouling problem and explore avoided-cost scenarios only after the application-fit screen.

Cost categories

Lost production and derate

Estimate load, throughput or contribution margin affected by deposit-related restrictions and cleaning stops. Use an operating basis agreed by the plant, and keep avoided production distinct from revenue.

Offline and manual cleaning

Include direct labour, contractors, isolation, access, scaffolding, washing, lancing, waste handling and the production effect of cleaning time where those costs are documented.

Existing cleaning medium and wear

Include relevant steam, compressed air, water, consumables, maintenance and wear. Do not assume that another cleaning system disappears unless the application scope explicitly supports that change.

Efficiency and pressure loss

Use measured heat rate, fuel use, temperature, fan power or pressure data where available. Avoid universal efficiency or fuel-saving percentages.

Proposed-system costs

The eventual comparison may include provisional equipment, controls, air treatment, receiver capacity, mounting, engineering, freight, installation, commissioning, maintenance and operating air. Inclusions and exclusions must be visible.

Input status

Every value should carry one label:

• Supplied fact: visitor-provided measurement or commercial value.
• Visitor estimate: a judgement supplied by the visitor.
• Sylio default: a sourced value selected by the method.
• Scenario assumption: an explicit conservative or upside case.
• Unknown: missing information that lowers confidence.

The result should allow a reader to inspect and revise these values without searching through hidden calculation logic.

Scenarios and sensitivity

The result should separate a conservative case from any upside scenario. It should identify the assumption with the largest effect on the result and show how missing evidence could change fit, scope or payback.

Simple payback may be shown where the cost basis is adequate, but it should not replace lifecycle operating cost, risk or the plant's own capital criteria.

Estimate language

The intended output is a concept-screening or indicative order-of-magnitude estimate. Visual precision does not increase estimate maturity. Accuracy depends on the definition of the application, reference data, location, market conditions, installation scope and risk.

Public estimate terminology and uncertainty language require cost-engineering and legal review before launch. A fixed accuracy band should not be published without that validation.

Exclusions

Unless explicitly included, a screening result does not establish detailed design, structural work, hazardous-area compliance, noise treatment, installation labour, outage plan, tax, duty, freight, commissioning, site acceptance or a guaranteed operating result.

Versioning

The launched methodology should publish a version, calculation date, formula definitions, default sources and change record. The quotation preview should preserve the version and assumptions used to produce it.