PLANT

ENGINEERING
FUNCTION
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DEFINITION

Plant engineering is that branch of

engineering
which
embraces
the
installation,
operation,
maintenance,
modification,
modernization,
and
protection of physical facilities and
equipment used to produce a product or
provide a service.

PLANT ENGINEERS

The primary mission of the plant engineer

is to provide optimum plant and
equipment
facilities
to
meet
the
established objective of the business.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PLANT ENGINEERS

Through activities

Through knowledge areas

Through activities

Design

Construction

Installation

Operation

Maintenance

Improvement, retrofit, and redesign

Planning

Contracting

Through activities ...

(cont.)

Project management

Administration

Regulatory compliance

Coordination

Purchasing

Through knowledge
areas

Electrical power systems

Electrical machinery

Lighting

Fluid power transmission

Mechanical power transmission

Instrumentation and controls

Heating and ventilating

Air conditioning and refrigeration

Through knowledge
areas .. (cont.)

Pumps, piping, and valving

Material handling and storage

Paints, coating, and corrosion prevention

Fire protection

Engines

Lubricants and lubrication systems

Environmental control systems and

compliance

Compressed air systems

Buildings and construction

Through knowledge
areas .. (cont.)

Tools

Welding and joining

Safety and health equipment and

practices

Security

PLANT ENGINEERS SUBFUNCTION

Engineering

Maintenance

Operation

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Engineering

The
engineering
sub-function
is
responsible for such matters as design,
construction,
modification,
and
modernization of the facility, its utilities,
and operating equipment.

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Maintenance

The maintenance sub-function provides all

maintenance services and carries out
many of the changes specified by
engineering.

12

Operation

The operation sub-function is responsible

for running the utility systems, such as
electrical control and distribution; steam;
heating, ventilating, and air conditioning;
compressed air; water treatment; etc.

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ORGANIZATION CHART

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Organization Chart 1

Typical organization of a small plant

illustrates that plant engineering is one of
the essential functions in any plant.
Maintenance is normally a sub-function of
plant engineering.

15

Organization Chart 2

In larger plants, the plant engineering

function is often divided into departments
to serve particular needs.

16

Organization Chart 3

Multisite enterprises are often organized

with a central engineering department
providing plant engineering services to all
plants
and
separate
maintenance
departments within each site.

17

Organization Chart 4

Large,
complex
industrial plants and
other
facilities
require an extensive
plant
engineering
organization to meet
constantly changing
demands.

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19

En

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