Saldanha LPG Bullets
Saldanha LPG Bullets
SAISC PROJECTS
“ The Bullet poses unique problems with handling during the fabrication process , transportation and erection due to its weight and size . Every lift carried out is a “ heavy lift ” and careful planning and adherence to safe practice were crucial .”
This project included the mechanical design , fabrication , site installation and testing of 5 number LPG storage pressure vessels ( Bullets ) manufactured to AMSE VIII Div 2 and EEMUA 190 . Each Bullet is 7,000mm in diameter x 68,000mm long x 40mm thick plate , weighing approximately 580 tonnes . The Bullets were manufactured in A 516 grade 70 LT 40 carbon steel plate for its strength and suitability for low temperature service . These are some of the largest Bullets to be manufactured ( worldwide ) and presents unique challenges throughout the manufacturing process . This is the heaviest LPG vessels fabricated in one piece in South Africa .
The Bullets were designed to ASME Div 2 and EEMUA 190 and a finite analysis was carried out to ensure the Bullets met the requirement for transportation to site and ultimately the operating conditions
As will be appreciated the Bullet poses unique problems with handling during the fabrication process , transportation and erection due to its weight and size . Every lift carried out is a “ heavy lift ” and careful planning and adherence to safe practice were crucial . All welds were 100 % NDE tested . Handling , rotation of shell sections during welding and assembly of the shell sections all posed challenges and constant care was need to ensure the assemblies were located correctly on the rotating equipment during these operations .
Post Weld Heat Treating ( PWHT ) the whole Bullet after manufacture . This was done by using LPG heaters to heat the Bullet internally with insulation on the outside . No one has built a Bullet this size in South Africa , we made 5 of them , to specification , the correct quality requirements and on time .
A key element of this project is that Efficient Engineering sourced and trained local ( Saldanha based ) labour , contributing to developing skills within South Africa .
Project Team
Client : Sunrise Energy Project Manager : Efficient Engineering Main Contractor : Efficient Engineering
Steel Construction Vol . 40 No . 3 2016 19