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Whether the plan is to shut down an entire plant, or just a portion of it, a definitive plan must be in place. Here is a step-by-step procedure to guide you through the process.
When a process plant has reached the end of its useful life, it will need to be shut down and decommissioned. Depending upon the history and complexity of the plant, this process could be as simple as turning out the lights, or as complex as a major, milliondollar project. If the plant processed hazardous materials, or if it experienced a history of environmental problems, one would expect that a major effort is necessary to close the plant. Yet, even smaller facilities slated for closing need considerable effort to be properly decommissioned.
Decommissioning will be defined here as the shutdown of a facility in order to prepare it for complete demolition. This process often applies to independent, major facilities that eventually become brownfield sites. But it can also apply to plants that are contained within a larger, operating facility. Often, the project involves a combination of mothballing (idling facilities for future reuse) and permanent decommissioning. A plant that has been idle for a long time and has no history (e.g., few remaining long-term personnel or few drawings) will be more difficult to decommission.
Before plant shutdown
A definitive shutdown plan must be in place at least one month before the plant is closed. Any key personnel, especially long-time plant operators, should be approached to work on the decommissioning team. If necessary, offer incentives to key personnel to retain them during the decommissioning process. Long-term employees can be especially helpful if documentation is poor, as they may remember undocumented equipment and underground pipelines.
During the early planning stages, gather as much documentation as possible, including:
* material safety data sheets (MSDS) for all chemicals
* plant equipment documentation
* drawings, especially piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)
* any corporate engineering standards or procedures that review specific company-mandated decommissioning methodology
* operating and environmental permits.
If there are any environmental concerns, contact the appropriate government agencies early in the decommissioning process to determine whether any special procedures are required or paperwork must be filed. If the closing plant is part of...