to use a hired system to gain time until the
necessary capex is available.
The company’s in-house availability
of knowledge, skills and capacity for
installing and maintaining dosing
equipment is limited or overstretched.
A specialist provider can supply a
standalone hired system, specified,
engineered, tested and ready to
install – and manage the installation,
commissioning and maintenance if
required.
H ow to choose a supplier
Plant managers should look for the
following assurances from a supplier, if the
cost-effectiveness and other advantages
of hiring are to be maximised.
1. Proven expertise and a comprehensive
equipment and services portfolio. Ideally,
an awareness of the special needs of the
particular industry sector.
2. Systems which match the plant’s scale,
procedures and supply chain. Chemical
supply, storage and dosing requirements
vary enormously between sites and
processes. System sizes range from small
units to large set-ups with tank capacities
up to 20 m3. Filling may need to be via
drum, IBC or tanker.
3. Easy adaptation of systems to the
plant’s operational needs. Versatility is
essential. For example: the turndown
ratio of the pumps supplied must meet
the plant’s variable flow and pressure ;
the pumps, valves and pipework must
be compatible with the chemicals used;
and the equipment should allow simple
setting and adjustment of timing and
dosage parameters.
4. Rapid availability of equipment. In
breakdown situations, especially, there
must be confidence that the system will
be operating on site very soon. This is
largely a question of the provider’s fleet
size and the efficiency of its logistics.
5. Easy transport, installation and
commissioning of systems. The right
provider will do everything possible to
ensure equipment is operational in the
shortest time. It should be palletised or
containerised for fast transport, with a
construction robust and weatherproof
enough for deployment in any location,
and its components should be pre-
integrated and pre-tested. A large tank,
for instance, should come with filling and
safety systems in place, and the package
should include a suitable bund.
6. Ability to integrate equipment quickly
and easily with that on site. Systems
should arrive with the right pipework
and connectors for a straightforward
link to existing dosing lines, where
appropriate, or to the lines supplied with
it. There should be a choice between
independently operating controls and
linkage to existing sensors and on-site or
remote control systems.
7. Expert and dependable advice. Unless
there is sufficient in-house knowledge of
exactly what system is required, and how
to install and maintain it, the manager
must be able to trust in the provider’s
advice and support.
8. A reputation for flexibility,
responsiveness and good service.
There should be an established record
of fulfilling customers’ needs in both
emergency and planned situations.
The development of WES Group’s hire
service, which specifically addresses each
of the criteria above, has benefited from
many years of researching the issues
affecting customers.
For further information, please visit
www.wes.ltd.uk.
Issue 32 PECM
109