Abstract: The characteristics of business and design process are analyzed in process plant.
The key technology and functional requirements of process plant design software is derived.
Three key technologies of process plant design software are introduced. One is graphics platform
technology, another is collaborative design, and the last one is life cycle management of process
plant. The technology used in current process plant design systems is analyzed, and the difference
between local plant design software and international plant design system are introduced. The
suggestion for china’s future products is proposed at last.

Key words: process plant, CAD, graphics platform, collaborative design