16 BULKDISTRIBUTOR
Loading Racks
Every connection
matters.
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connection is crucial to keep you running safely
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We offer solutions for every point of transfer in-,
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Your connection for every connection.
www.opw-es.com/connections
Continued from p15
platforms, so they do not set the most ideal or
efficient parameters in the design.
“In addition, when the equipment provider
works to match their engineering with the EPC’s
engineering, delays and errors can occur which
lead to unexpected time and cost overruns,”
continues Luckett. “If the engineering designs of
the EPC and the platform-equipment provider are
not perfectly synchronised, the equipment
provider has to treat the equipment installation as
a retrofit in the field. Modularisation solves these
issues and invariably benefits a project in meeting
time and cost targets. It also removes that entire
portion of the project from EPC’s plate. Early EPC
planning with the platform equipment provider
allows it to be built as a plug-and-play module
with all loading spot functions optimised for
maximum efficiency and workflow.”
With few other options to complete the backlog
of projects, the petrochemical plant construction
industry is moving to embrace these solutions,
particularly modularization, out of necessity.
While modularisation in petrochemical plant
construction is still in its infancy, EPCs are
becoming increasingly aware of the numerous
benefits of collaborating with loading platform
equipment providers at project onset. Experience
has shown numerous project inefficiencies can be
prevented when the EPC places the loading
platform equipment design function in the hands
of the equipment provider in its entirety.
Using their expertise, the loading platform
equipment provider can mitigate the risk of
January/February 2016
budget and time over-runs, as well as assisting
throughput optimisation. It’s a win-win situation,
but this model must become the norm if the
industry is to have any chance of coming close to
meeting construction goals.
References:
http://analysis.petchem-update.com/workforcedevelopment/plant-modularization-used-keepprojects-schedule
http://www.npr.org/2014/05/16/312978084/
contractors-have-a-tough-time-findingexperienced-workers
www.green-mfg.com
Get a load of this!
F
ort Vale is launching its new Safeload
Loading Arm System, the latest addition
to its range of products for the petroleum
transfer industry.
The Safeload loading arm is the culmination of
months of research & development and analysis of
customer feedback. The company believes that it
is bringing something fresh and unique to the
global oil terminal market.
The key component is the balance mechanism
which combines familiar industry-standard
features with several elements that deliver
increased durability and safety.
Unlike most assemblies on the market, Fort Vale
says, the Safeload balance mechanism is
manufactured in stainless steel as opposed to
traditional cast steel with a coated finish. “This
ensures excellent corrosion resistance and inherent
strength and durability,” the company says.
The base swivel assembly incorporates a 3-seal
and dual needle/dual ball race bearing
combination for maximum axial and radial
strength and performance. The specialist PTFE
primary seal is rated to 400 Bar G, so is less prone
to splitting in high-pressure operating conditions.
The material is highly resistant to deterioration
caused by product contact and affords the
operator low-friction ease of movement.
Secondary and tertiary seals protect the swivel
mechanism from dirt ingress, ensuring a longlasting and hard-working installation.
The base swivel also features a ‘swivel-stop’
device to prevent radial over-rotation and collision
with adjacent loading arms. The stop bar is
rubber-coated to ensure that there is no risk of
spark generation.
Balance adjustment is controlled by gas struts
which are considered a safer and more reliable
option than compressed springs. A limiter-bolt is
incorporated as a failsafe to protect the loading
arm and coupler from damage in the unlikely
event of gas strut depressurisation.
As a safety feature, all the loading arm swivels
contain an integral earth system, unique to the
Safeload design, which ensures electrical
continuity and eliminates the necessity for
separate earth wiring.
The intermediate swivel and the coupler swivel
are both of aluminium construction. A variety of
spools and drop hoses will be offered and the
coupler swivel has the option of a ball-end or
D-style handle.
The Safeload arm offers terminals ultimate
installation flexibility: the balance mechanism can
easily be configured to suit a top or bottom fuel
supply as well as left or right orientation. Fort Vale
can supply the core components or a complete
assembly including spools and hoses if required.
All swivel/pipework flanges have industry standard
drilling patterns to be compatible with existing
terminal installations.
Fort Vale’s Safeload brand is well-respected in
the worldwide fuel terminal industry and has
gained a reputation for rugged durability, security
and reliability. Its API couplers remain the only
such products on the market offering users a 3
year warranty on all metal parts under standard
environmental conditions.
Fort Vale will unveil and demonstrating the
Safeload loading arm and its API semi-automatic
and high-pressure couplers at the forthcoming
StocExpo show in Antwerp (Stand G7) and again
at the Tank Storage Middle East event in April.
www.fortvale.com
Fort Vale’s Safeload loading arm system