Process Plant Start-up, Commissioning & Troubleshooting

Process plant commissioning and start-up refers to both new facilities and restarting an existing plant after major modifications. Commissioning and start-up of new plant and equipment presents both a major technical and management challenge. The initial start-up of any plant, irrespective of size, type, or industry, is a unique occurrence. Therefore, the start-up phase poses some special problems. Lack of experience in dealing with these problems has frequently resulted in prolonged and costly start-ups.

An organization’s personnel must familiarize themselves with the new equipment, processes and technologies, and develop the relevant operating and safety procedures.

Successful commissioning of new facilities involves all the activities of preparation and planning; mechanical completion and integrity checking; P&ID checking and verification; pre-commissioning and operational testing; commissioning; start-up; initial operation; performance testing and acceptance and post-commissioning. It is also imperative that close relations be maintained amongst all parties involved in the project in order to ensure successful.