Before 1983 BCSIR had no facility to conduct the techno-economic feasibility study of the processes developed in its laboratories. The techno-economic feasibility study is very essential for commercialization of any industrial process. The Pilot Plant and Process Development Centre (PP & PDC) has been established in BCSIR to fulfill this important task. This centre has been functioning as a separate unit headed by a Director with two main divisions; the design and development division and the production and fabrication division, which consist of several workshops and sections. The name of the existing workshops and sections are, (1) Design and drafting section, (2) Machine shop, (3) Feasibility Studies section, (4) Pilot plant section, (5) Sheet metal section, (6) Foundry and pattern shop, (7) Welding and tinsmith shop, (8) Heat treatment shop, (9) Fitting shop, (10) Unit operation section, (11) Electrical shop, (12) Maintenance shop, and (13) Laboratory. |
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The functions of the centre are as follows: |
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1. |
To design equipment and machinery for pilot plant study. |
2. |
To fabricate designed equipment and machinery of pilot plant as far as practicable. |
3. |
To undertake process development studies as pilot plants for the purpose of research and development. |
4. |
To render technical and advisory services to the industries. |
5. |
To design commercial plants of the processes developed by the BCSIR. |
6. |
To render the services of technical feasibility study and market survey for evaluating the projects of BCSIR. |
7. |
To undertake repair and maintenance of laboratory equipment necessary for research. |