What procedures are required for the pilot, pilot-scale, and industrial testing of newly developed hazardous chemical production processes?
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Article 9 of the \"Implementation Measures for Safety Production Licenses of Hazardous Chemicals Production Enterprises\" states that \"newly developed production processes for hazardous chemicals must be gradually scaled up from pilot tests, pilot plant trials to industrial production.\" So, what procedures are required during the pilot test, pilot plant trial, and industrial production stages? If the pilot tests are conducted only in the laboratory, no special approvals are likely required. However, once pilot production begins, it becomes necessary to set up facilities on a certain scale; although it is still considered testing, it is closer to actual production, just on a smaller scale. The risks are obvious, and many projects proceed from the pilot stage straight to actual production facilities. Is it necessary to go through procedures such as safety assessments, environmental impact evaluations, and other related formalities as would be required for construction projects?
Pilot-scale facilities are generally of slightly smaller size and their technology is not yet fully mature; otherwise, there are no significant differences. Properly speaking, all the necessary procedures must be followed.
For industrial testing or demonstration units of new processes that are being used for the first time, before commissioning the preparation of an \"Safety Assessment Report,\" it is necessary for the technology development unit or similar entity (or in collaboration with a third party) to prepare a \"Report on the Safety and Reliability of the Process Technology.\" An expert review meeting on safety matters must then be held by the provincial safety administration department (i.e., the Provincial Emergency Management Department), whereby expert opinions on this new process technology are obtained; such opinions serve as one of the important bases for preparing the Safety Assessment Report.
In other words, procedures must be followed according to all requirements from the start of the industrialization trial, just like in regular construction projects?
Yes, because generally speaking, the uncertainties and safety risks associated with industrial trials of new processes are greater than those associated with other established processes.