When Ineos Phenol's local steam provider was planning a turnaround maintance, they turned to Atlas Copco Specialty Rental. A temporary industrial steam supply was set-up so the chemical plant could remain fully operational.
June 21, 2021
What to do when your steam provider is planning turnaround maintenance?
The cluster effect in Germany’s densely developed Ruhr region allows companies like our client, Ineos Phenol, to profit from all kinds of synergies. The proximity of the neighboring powerplant, for example, enables the supply of efficient power and steam directly to the chemical producer’s production facility. But what happens when those service lines are shut down for scheduled maintenance, as they are every two years?
Atlas Copco Specialty Rental can bridge this planned maintenance with a reliable temporary industrial steam supply in order to guarantee operational efficiency.
Steam: an essential utility in any chemical plant
Located in the heart of Germany’s industrial Ruhr region, Ineos Phenol’s chemicals plant in Gladbeck takes full advantage of the surrounding cluster to boost the efficiency and sustainability of its operations. Fed directly into the plant via a fixed pipeline, for example, Ineos Phenol relies on a constant flow of steam from the nearby power station.
The steam is used in several processes for example:
- operating valves in certain production flows
- Powering auxiliary heating systems
- ...
In fact, without a constant, steady, and reliable influx of steam to the plant, our customer risks losing significant production capabilities.
A solid & reliable industrial steam supply with system uptime guarantee
Ineos Phenol had already witnessed the added value of Atlas Copco Rental’s renowned speed and agility first hand with previous nitrogen, power, and compressed air projects. Now it was time to prove just how reliable, economical, and hassle-free our temporary steam solutions can be as well!
On-site expert support team for around-the-clock operation and monitoring
Our client was quickly convinced by our proposal from a commercial and technical point of view. But given the critical nature of the plant’s steam supply, it was the system uptime guarantee built into the solution that clinched the deal. Around-the-clock operation and monitoring by our expert team on-site also added to their peace of mind, guaranteeing safe operations, fast response times, and professional service.
From cold commissioning to a seamless temporary steam supply integration
The full package designed, delivered, installed, commissioned, and operated by the German Team included a 16t/h steam boiler, 20,000L feed water tank, 60m3 fuel tank, blow-down tank, various water, and steam connection hoses, protection panels, and a state-of-the-art steam silencer. And while that last item on the shopping list may have been the smallest, it proved to make a big difference!
In the past, competitor solutions all involved ‘cold commissioning’ of the temporary boiler with zero assurances that the package was working before connecting it to the customer’s systems. But with the steam silencer, our solution could be connected ‘hot’, ensuring a seamless connection, immediate operation, and all the peace of mind that comes with it.
Satisfying results
Ineos Phenol was extremely satisfied with our end-to-end temporary steam solution. As testified by Stefan Hacker, Ineos Phenol:
The availability commitment was particularly important for us due to the systemic relevance of the steam generator. Atlas Copco Rental’s solution was conceptually, technically, and commercially attractive. We were very satisfied with the solution itself and the technicians. They were very competent, professional, and reliable and the safety during assembly and commissioning was exemplary. We were also impressed with the short response times to technical queries and generally, the very high availability of the system.
We have a versatile and extensive rental fleet, as well as expert representatives ready to help you know the full advantages each equipment can offer, so your company can be confident in making the best decision. There is no right or wrong answer to which solution is better. It depends on the requirements of each project.
Ultimately, you have the power to choose.
