Chemical Processing Pilot Plant
A global specialty chemical manufacturer selected Foth to provide the design of the electrical systems for a new building expansion and the design of the process controls & electrical systems for a new chemical processing pilot plant. This facility is used for development of new products and the refinement of existing products, and required significantly higher level of instrumentation to allow researchers to collect pertinent data. After completion, Owner internally showcased this project as an example of a successful project.
Challenges:
- All work was done while adjoining chemical processing facility was in full production.
- Facility and process designs were accomplished with a team that included Owner's personnel and several external resources. Coordination was a continuous effort.
- Facility and equipment were designed for a variety of flammable/hazardous liquids and gasses.
- Facility expansion included a four-story addition housing refrigeration, process control room, substation/rectifier/electrical room and mechanical room.
- Process included an electrochemical cell system with a rectifier and a custom designed 25kA DC bus system.
Benefits:
- Foth's extensive experience with hazardous areas and intrinsic safety provided a system that started up promptly and smoothly.
- Foth's extensive experience with high ampacity DC bus systems was invaluable in determining the optimal system design of the DC bus system.
- Documentation included certification of all intrinsically safe circuits used in the processes.
- Foth provided a secure avenue for implementation of a proprietary processes while maintaining confidentiality.
Project Included:
- All power and controls for building and automated processes including:
- Facilities mechanical & lighting systems
- Power distribution, grounding & lightning protection
- Reactors
- Distillation Columns
- Refrigeration System
- Electrochemical cell
- Rectifier and DC bus system
- New control room with consoles & video
- Process Cameras
