Know-how
When it vibrates in the land of accuracy and precision
At Colombey, in the heart of the Swiss mountains, is the Talmoil refinery, which processes oil from Libya.
In January 2000, when its gas compressor was already showing signs of vibrating, the factory had an emergency shutdown for another reason entirely (a problem on a pipeline causing an immediate shutdown).
Benefiting from this forced halt to production, the refiner asked the compressor manufacturer, one DRESSER RAND CE SOLO to deal with the problem as a matter of urgency. A Polyrésine expert sent on site identified the problem.
The diagnosis
The existing chock product was cracked and showed traces of hydrocarbon spillage.The compressor anchor bolts were no longer firmly attached to the concrete foundation.
Action was required: this type of deterioration could cause a catastrophe at human, ecological and of course financial levels.
The solution
After analyzing the situation, Polyrésine recommended a detailed solution as follows:Dismantling the compressor, elimination of the existing chocking product and extraction of the anchor bolts by boring, reconstruction of the foundation cap using an Epoxy grout and sealing in the ties holding the motor, repositioning the compressor (at the manufacturer’s expense) then total chocking system for the compressor.
The Polyrésine solution:
- Saves time compared with a classic solution: the cure time for resin is less than for concrete.- Means rapid intervention, organized to integrate into a facility shutdown.
Site memories...
Two engineers were sent to this site, in order to satisfy the safety conditions specific to this type of intervention. They worked without any outside help.In Switzerland in January, the weather is not what you could call hot!
A reception tent had to be set up, to insulate and heat the site so as to obtain the best conditions for polymerization.
After three weeks of work, carried out before and after the motor was refitted, the installation began to function again in conditions of accuracy, safety and cleanliness, which are so important to our neighbours across the Alps.