Differences between chemical pilot plant process design and general project design
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Hello everyone, I have been working in the chemical engineering sector for some time now, but I am facing a problem at the moment. I would appreciate it if experts could offer some advice. We are currently establishing a pilot project for coal-to-oil processing, with a very low production volume of only two tons per day. The project was registered as a scientific research experiment, as our products are not intended for sale. We are now in the design phase, and during this process we have encountered issues related to equipment, civil engineering, safety, and fire protection – we’re not sure which standards should be applied. For example, should the heating furnace be designed as a heating device or as a high-pressure vessel? And should fire protection measures follow petrochemical standards or other relevant standards? We would like to know if there are any specific standards or guidelines for the construction of such pilot projects. Thank you all!
Generally speaking, pilot plants are applied for in accordance with the requirements for new chemical plants, but it is also very troublesome； In terms of the specific approach, our company decides whether to file a declaration based on the risk level of the process route used in pilot testing. For example, for a project where the workshop is being built as a Category C facility with low risk, we did not submit any applications. From the perspective of technical confidentiality, the application materials will more or less disclose certain information. Therefore, if the pilot-scale production design is reasonable and safe, it is recommended not to submit an application – it’s pointless. Unless your pilot plant is intended to become a multi-functional facility for carrying out all future pilot tests, in which case it is necessary to submit an application in accordance with the requirements for building a new chemical plant. Requirements for environmental impact assessments and safety evaluations vary from place to place; it is recommended to consult the local environmental protection department and safety supervision agency. Regarding the equipment design issue you mentioned, it needs to be determined based on your specific process requirements. The design of heating furnaces should be carried out in accordance with the design specifications for boilers. The fire protection design regulations for the petrochemical industry represent the highest standards, but they are generally applied to petrochemical companies and their affiliated enterprises; whereas ordinary chemical manufacturing units use building codes in their designs.
Thank you so much. This is not an easy task, as we are building a factory from scratch, rather than setting up a workshop within an existing one; various departments need to be involved. We just want some basis on which to negotiate with these departments. These departments all follow the higher standard rather than the lower one, and we currently don’t have sufficient reasons to adopt a lower standard. I would also appreciate some advice from all of you experts.