In the case of the Ghent plant, Sarens has recently carried out various tasks to remove one of the motors in which the transesterification process of fats – a chemical reaction used for the conversion of fats contained in oils into usable biodiesel – takes place in order to proceed with the disassembly and overhaul of its engine and drive shaft.
In order to access the motor, located in one of the plant's ATEX zones and in a very small space, Sarens used an LTM1150 crane, with a maximum load capacity of 150 t, to lift the concrete panel located on top of the unit. Once this panel is removed, the technical team can proceed to disassemble the motor and attach it to the crane, so that it can be removed to work on the mechanical overhaul more comfortably.
Once these operations were completed, for which it was necessary to circumvent all types of cable trays and piping, the technical team returned the unit to its original location and the concrete panel back on top.
According to Karel Storm, Sarens Depot Manager in Ghent: "The success of this project is due to the fact that our team always finds all the necessary cooperation from Cargill. As this is a recurring task and because we have the right machinery, both teams work perfectly together to reduce the downtime of each unit as much as possible, thus optimising production”.
Sarens has extensive international experience in the hydrocarbon processing sector. It has recently collaborated in the construction of Corpus Christi Polymers' new oil derivatives processing plant in Texas, US, in the renovation of IRPC's DCC cyclone reactor in Thailand, or in the upgrades of PT Pertamina's refinery in Balikpapan, Indonesia, among others.
