Visiting a Chemical Industry – A Brief Summary

VCI 1 – Introduction

The chemical industry is a major contributor to  both our quality of life and our economy. It earns money by carrying out chemical conversions to produce chemicals for use as medicines, pesticides, polymers, fuels, dyes, paints, fertilisers and cleaning products.

VCI 2 – Research and development

In industry , optimum conditions are vital. These can only be worked out by spending lots of time researching the question in the laboratory.

VCI 3 -The Chemical Plant

“The equipment needed to carry out the chemical process”

Important issues that need to be considered include;

á      What is the potential market?

á      Will it make a profit?

á      Does it fit in with the companies work?

á      Does the company have the expertise to develop and run the plant?

á      What investment is needed?

Others will also then arise;

8     What feedstock should be used?

8     Does the company have the necessary expertise to run the plant?

8     Where should the plant be built?

8     Will it be safe for employees and nearby residents?

8     How will the environment be protected?

VCI 4 – People

The UK chemical industry employs people from many subject backgrounds: accountants, lawyers, linguists, physicists, biologists, mathematicians, computer programmers and lots of different types of engineers.

It is however, not especially labour intensive. A large plant making sulphuric acid, for example, may be operated by only 4 or 5 people.

A lot of money and time is however invested in research and development, particularly in pharmaceuticals.

VCI 5 – Safety

Nowadays safety considerations play a crucial part in deciding the plant layout.

Every pipe, valve, etc.. is examined and a risk associated with its failure is assessed and minimised by design.

Design features must minimise the risks of uncontrollable reactions or emissions

VCI 6 – Environmental Issues

The environment is now a major factor for chemical companies. It is no longer acceptable or legal to allow substances to be released into the environment.

In the past waste was dumped in the nearest convenient place; the air, rivers, sea, etc.. Waste now has to be treated and can only be released when in a state which is not harmful to the environment. There are legal requirements on pH, metal ion content, amount of toxic gases released, particulates released, etc..

e.g. Extraction of lead from lead sulphide (lead ore)

2PbS  + 3O2                              2PbO  +  2SO2

The sulphur dioxide is now converted into high-grade sulphuric acid that can be sold;

2SO₂  +  O₂                               2SO₃

SO₃  +  H₂O                              H₂SO₄

VCI 7 – Location

The chemical industry grew up around the sources of the raw materials. Nowadays this is much less important. Nevertheless, a lot of things still need to be considered when deciding on a location;

¯     Is there an existing works that can be developed?

¯     Is there skilled labour available anywhere?

¯     Are there good road, rail and water links? (Deep sea access is also useful)

¯     Is a feedstock being produced somewhere already?

¯     Can it be built on an existing site? (Money can be saved if canteen, administration, medical facilities are shared with existing plants)

¯     Is the location too close to a built up area? (This could prevent expansion of the site)

¯     Will a new site spoil the countryside?