Old K says every week – talking about things in the petrochemical design industry. Post 58: Chemical design should take into account the needs of field operators

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Post 58 of Old K’s weekly series – Talks about things in the petrochemical design industry: Chemical design should take into account the needs of on-site operators. At present, chemical plants are highly automated, with most operations being carried out in control rooms; however, there are still some tasks that need to be done on-site, such as adding small quantities of solids or taking samples on site. Additionally, there are tasks related to on-site inspections and maintenance. Chemical plants are generally designed with an open layout. In northern regions, winters are cold, while in southern regions, there are strong winds and heavy rains; thus, the working conditions on site are quite demanding, especially during night shifts. All designers must take into account on-site operations more thoroughly during the design process of a project. Below are several principle-based recommendations: 1) Try to increase the level of automation and reduce on-site operations. For example: for solid materials with a large volume, pneumatic conveying can be used, while for those with a small volume, vacuum suction and other methods can be employed ； For valves that are operated frequently, remote-controlled valves should be preferred. 2) Use straight ladders as little as possible: Some designers, following design manuals, opt to use straight ladders in areas where people don’t frequently go. My suggestion is that, as long as there is enough space, use an inclined ladder instead of a straight one – it doesn’t cost much more anyway. 3) On-site operation is necessary; it is recommended to keep it as low as possible. Some on-site operations are carried out on platforms that are ten-odd meters or even dozens of meters high; how much effort it takes for workers to climb up there! 4) On-site operations are necessary; it is recommended to concentrate them as much as possible. The location where they take place should have measures to protect against rain and wind. If permitted by regulations, enclosed areas with proper ventilation should be used, or at the very least, some form of enclosure should be in place. These are a few suggestions that came to mind; everyone is welcome to add more to improve them. Tip: You can enter “Lao K’s Weekly Updates – Talks on Matters in the Petrochemical Design Industry” into the website’s search engine to view previous posts