30+ Production Trainee Interview Questions and Answers

Chromatography is a technique used to separate and analyze mixtures, titration is a method to determine the concentration of a substance, and eth-metha-pro tollune is a hypothetical chemical compound.

• Chromatography is used in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and environmental testing.

• Titration involves adding a reagent to a solution until a reaction is complete, such as acid-base titrations.

• Eth-metha-pro tollune is not a known chemical compound, ...read more

Unit process and unit operation are terms used in chemical engineering to describe different stages of a chemical process.

• Unit process refers to a single chemical transformation or reaction that takes place in a process.

• Unit operation refers to a physical change or separation that occurs in a process.

• Examples of unit processes include distillation, crystallization, and chemical reactions.

• Examples of unit operations include filtration, evaporation, and centrifugation.

Deviation refers to a departure from a standard or expected norm in various contexts, indicating a difference or anomaly.

• In manufacturing, deviation can indicate a product not meeting quality standards, e.g., a defective part.

• In statistics, deviation refers to the difference between a data point and the mean, e.g., a score of 85 in a class average of 75.

• In project management, deviation might refer to a project timeline that is behind schedule, e.g., a task taking longer than ...read more

Chromatography techniques separate mixtures based on component interactions with stationary and mobile phases.

• 1. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) - Used for analyzing small samples, like pigments in plants.

• 2. Gas Chromatography (GC) - Ideal for volatile compounds, such as in fragrance analysis.

• 3. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) - Common in pharmaceuticals for purity testing.

• 4. Ion Chromatography - Used for separating ions and polar molecules, often in environment...read more

API plant is a facility that manufactures Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) used in the production of drugs.

• API plant is responsible for producing the active ingredients in drugs

• It follows strict regulations and guidelines to ensure quality and safety

• APIs can be produced through chemical synthesis, fermentation, or biotechnology

• Examples of APIs include aspirin, penicillin, and insulin

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are documented processes to ensure consistency and quality in operations.

• SOPs provide step-by-step instructions for specific tasks, ensuring uniformity.

• They help in maintaining quality control, such as in manufacturing processes.

• SOPs are essential for compliance with regulations, like safety protocols in factories.

• For example, a SOP for equipment operation may include safety checks and maintenance schedules.

Chemical Engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the design, development, and operation of chemical processes.

• Chemical engineers use principles of chemistry, physics, and mathematics to solve problems related to the production and use of chemicals and materials.

• They design and operate chemical plants, develop new processes and products, and improve existing ones.

• Examples of chemical engineering applications include the production of fuels, pharmaceuticals, pl...read more

Distillation is a process of separating components of a mixture based on their boiling points.

• The mixture is heated to vaporize the component with the lowest boiling point.

• The vapor is then condensed and collected as a separate liquid.

• This process is repeated for each component with a higher boiling point.

• Examples include the production of alcohol, gasoline, and essential oils.

• Distillation is also used in water purification to remove impurities.

Petrol is more volatile and flammable than diesel, making it more dangerous in terms of fire hazards and explosions.

• Petrol has a lower flash point (around 30°C) compared to diesel (around 60°C), making it easier to ignite.

• Petrol vapors are more flammable and can form explosive mixtures with air, increasing the risk of fire.

• In case of spills, petrol evaporates quickly, creating a hazardous environment, while diesel tends to stay liquid longer.

• Accidental ignition of petrol can ...read more

Clearance fit has a gap between the two mating parts while transition fit has a slight overlap.

• Clearance fit allows for easy assembly and disassembly of parts.

• Transition fit provides a tighter fit and is used when a small amount of force is required to assemble the parts.

• Clearance fit is used in applications where movement between parts is required, such as in bearings.

• Transition fit is used in applications where a secure fit is required, such as in gears.

• Clearance fit has a ...read more

Sterilization is the process of killing or removing all microorganisms from a surface or object.

• Heat sterilization (autoclaving)

• Chemical sterilization (using ethylene oxide gas)

• Radiation sterilization (using gamma rays or electron beams)

• Filtration sterilization (using filters with small pore sizes)

• Dry heat sterilization (using hot air or flames)

Peptide synthesis is the process of creating peptides through chemical or biological methods, crucial for research and therapeutics.

• Peptide synthesis can be performed using solid-phase synthesis or solution-phase synthesis.

• Solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) is the most common method, where amino acids are sequentially added to a growing chain attached to a solid support.

• The Fmoc (9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl) and Boc (tert-butyloxycarbonyl) strategies are popular protecting g...read more

GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practices, BMR for Batch Manufacturing Record, and CGMP for Current Good Manufacturing Practices.

• GMP is a set of guidelines for ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards.

• BMR is a document that contains the detailed information about the manufacturing process of a particular batch of a product.

• CGMP is a set of regulations enforced by the FDA to ensure that drugs, medical devices, and other p...read more

pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, indicating its hydrogen ion concentration.

• pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral.

• A pH less than 7 indicates acidity (e.g., lemon juice has a pH of about 2).

• A pH greater than 7 indicates alkalinity (e.g., baking soda has a pH of about 9).

• pH is crucial in various fields, including chemistry, biology, and environmental science.

Micrometer L.C. stands for Micrometer Least Count.

• Micrometer L.C. refers to the smallest measurement that can be read or measured using a micrometer.

• It is the resolution or precision of the micrometer.

• The L.C. is determined by the number of divisions on the micrometer scale and the pitch of the screw.

• For example, if a micrometer has 50 divisions on the scale and the pitch of the screw is 0.5 mm, then the L.C. would be 0.01 mm (0.5 mm / 50 divisions).

GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practices, while cGMP refers to current Good Manufacturing Practices, ensuring product quality and safety.

• GMP ensures that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards.

• cGMP emphasizes the importance of following the latest industry standards and regulations.

• Examples of GMP include maintaining clean facilities and proper employee training.

• cGMP involves regular audits and updates to manufacturing processes to...read more

A buffer solution resists changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added.

• Consists of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid.

• Example: Acetic acid (CH3COOH) and sodium acetate (CH3COONa) form a buffer.

• Maintains pH stability in biological systems, such as blood.

• Used in various laboratory and industrial processes to control pH.

Organic chemistry involves the study of compounds containing carbon, focusing on their structure, properties, and reactions.

• Organic chemistry deals with the study of carbon-containing compounds.

• Reactions in organic chemistry involve the breaking and forming of chemical bonds.

• Common reactions include substitution, addition, elimination, and oxidation-reduction.

• Examples of organic reactions include esterification, hydrolysis, and polymerization.

The bioreaction configuration refers to the setup of biological reactions in a production process.

• Bioreaction configuration includes the types of organisms used, the specific reactions occurring, and the conditions (such as temperature, pH, nutrients) required for optimal production.

• Examples of bioreaction configurations include fermentation processes for producing antibiotics, enzymes, or biofuels.

• The configuration may also involve the use of bioreactors, control systems, an...read more

Thermodynamics is the study of energy, heat, and work, and their transformations in physical systems.

• Thermodynamics has four laws: Zeroth, First, Second, and Third Laws.

• The First Law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed (e.g., a car engine converting fuel into motion).

• The Second Law introduces the concept of entropy, indicating that energy transformations are not 100% efficient (e.g., heat loss in engines).

• The Third Law states that as temperatur...read more

Pivet tablet is made by combining active pharmaceutical ingredients with excipients and compressing them into tablet form.

• Mix active pharmaceutical ingredients with excipients in a blender

• Add binders to help the ingredients stick together

• Use a tablet press to compress the mixture into tablet form

• Coat the tablets with a film to improve appearance and taste

V-lookup is a function in Excel used to search for a value in a table and return a corresponding value from another column.

• V-lookup is used to search for a value in the first column of a table and return a value in the same row from a specified column.

• It is helpful for looking up specific information in a large dataset.

• Syntax: =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])

• Example: =VLOOKUP(A2, B2:D10, 3, FALSE) will search for the value in cell A2 in the r...read more

An autoclave is a device used to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure and steam.

• Uses high pressure and steam to sterilize equipment

• Commonly used in medical and laboratory settings

• Ensures that equipment is free from bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms

A muffle furnace is a type of furnace with an insulated chamber to heat materials without exposing them to direct flames.

• Muffle furnaces are commonly used in laboratories for various applications such as ashing, heat treating, and sintering.

• They have a heating element surrounded by insulation to create a controlled environment for heating materials.

• The chamber of a muffle furnace is typically made of ceramic or refractory metal to withstand high temperatures.

• Muffle furnaces a...read more

A bioreactor is a vessel in which biological reactions or processes are carried out, often used in industries like pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

• Bioreactors are used to cultivate cells, tissues, or microorganisms under controlled conditions.

• They are commonly used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and food production.

• Bioreactors can vary in size and design, from small lab-scale reactors to large industrial-scale vessels.

• Examples of bioreactors include f...read more

Aldol condensation is a reaction in organic chemistry where an enolate ion reacts with a carbonyl compound to form a beta-hydroxy carbonyl compound.

• Enolate ion reacts with a carbonyl compound

• Forms a beta-hydroxy carbonyl compound

• Can be catalyzed by bases or acids

• Examples include the Claisen-Schmidt condensation and the Cannizzaro reaction

5S is a workplace organization method that aims to improve efficiency and productivity by maintaining cleanliness and orderliness.

• Sort - separate necessary items from unnecessary ones

• Set in order - arrange necessary items in a logical and efficient manner

• Shine - clean and inspect the work area regularly

• Standardize - establish procedures and guidelines for maintaining the 5S system

• Sustain - ensure that the 5S system is continuously implemented and improved

• Example: organizing t...read more