In the chemical industry, a common method for transferring product is a dated technology often referred to as a “hose house.” These product transfer stations utilize hoses that are manually connected and disconnected to transfer materials to locations like storage tanks and distribution trucks. In addition to being very inefficient, a dated hose house can pose serious safety risks to plant operators.
In a recent project, a major chemical supplier utilized both SEMAC and Superior Engineering to replace an aging hose house at their refinery. The new system featured automated valves rigidly piped, wired and vertically supported in a 25’ x 25’ matrix. This new product transfer station or “manifold” eliminated the need for manual switching of hoses for product transfer and clean-out processes.
SEMAC supported this project by designing, manufacturing and implementing a custom insulated enclosure for the new product transfer station. Standing nearly 30 feet tall, this enclosure was crucial to regulating the temperature of the manifold that had 15 supply lines and 30 distribution lines. The enclosure was constructed in three-10 foot tall sections to match three levels of platforms and walkways. Each section had 6 sliding doors (5’ x 8’) on each side to allow operator and maintenance personnel access to the valve matrix. All sliding doors and enclosure penetrations were sealed to limit heat loss.
Overall, the system automation and custom enclosure manufacturing provided a safer and more cost effective way to transfer products.
To learn more about custom solutions like this, contact us to schedule an evaluation and analysis of your operations.