Q. Illustrate about Plant Type and Process?
Plant layout is influenced by the type of plant (both the industry and technology utilized) and the kind of process units and associated utility/support facilities it contains. Generally, process/utility units are laid out according to the process flow, except where certain ignition sources or hazardous materials need to be separated. This arrangement minimizes the transfer of materials, which is desirable both for economics and safety.
Each process/utility unit must be sufficiently separated from the others to allow units to be shutdown for maintenance and turnaround, while others are still operating. Separation distances also define fire risk areas and limit the maximum area reasonably expected to be totally involved in a single fire. (Note: These fire risk areas are used by Process engineers to determine the fire exposure pressure relief requirements.)
At the preliminary stage of the project, some nominal placement of major equipment items will occur within each process/utility unit and other associated facilities. This placement will be further refined during the define phase, once the preferred site location and process have been selected. Access within units needs to be provided for fire fighting. Sub divisions are also used to determine firewater application rates.