Chemical plants produce a variety of chemicals using different processing techniques, with safety being a major concern. Chemical engineers design and manage these plants, while environmental regulations have led to increased scrutiny. Petrochemical plants run on petroleum-derived chemicals and are often located next to oil refineries.
A chemical plant is an industrial facility designed for the purpose of processing and producing chemicals. Chemical plants are located all over the world and produce a wide range of products, from photographic chemicals used in development rooms to herbicides sprayed on commercially produced crops. Many specialized plants, such as wastewater treatment plants, operate by methods similar to those seen in chemical plants.
In a chemical plant, the goal is to produce new chemicals or process chemicals. A variety of processing techniques are used, depending on what the plant produces, and most chemical plants produce many different types of related chemicals. A common feature of chemical plants are large vats or tanks in which chemicals are processed and stored.
Many chemical plants are located in industrial areas and near shipping or railway lines so that their products can be moved easily. Safety is a major concern for plants where chemicals are produced and processed, as mistakes in a chemical plant can be very dangerous and chemical plants are vulnerable to acts of sabotage and terrorism. As a result, chemical plants are generally required to undergo regular safety inspections which confirm that the plant is operating safely and that the plants have extensive security in place to protect the plant from outside threats.
Chemical engineers are typically responsible for designing chemical plants, developing designs that meet the plant’s needs and provide room for growth and expansion. Chemical engineers also work in chemical plants, overseeing production and managing safety programs as well as developing new manufacturing and processing techniques. Other personnel at chemical plants include security guards, technicians, and administrators who process orders and requests for chemicals.
A specialized form of chemical plant, the petrochemical plant, runs exclusively on petroleum-derived chemicals. Petrochemical processing plants are often located next to oil refineries for convenience, with the two facilities sharing security personnel and moving goods efficiently between plants as needed.
Growing environmental concerns in the late 20th century led to increasingly stringent regulation of chemical plants. First World facilities must meet stringent environmental standards designed to prevent pollution and reduce the number of hazardous chemicals produced each year, and as a result, chemical manufacturing is heavily focused in developing countries where regulations are less stringent . The disparity in regulations has been criticized by many environmental advocates who are concerned that developing countries may be taking environmental risks in their desire to attract business.
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