Alkylation Unit Column | Steel Fabrication Australia

Overview

Thornton Engineering manufactured an Alkylation Unit Column for the production of high-octane fuel for an Australian-based refinery. The scope of work included:

Vessel design and detailing, including third-party verification
Statutory design registration
Global procurement of raw materials
Development of several weld procedures including exotics
Manufacture of vessel, platforms, ladders and pipe supports
Column Section Stress Relieving
Testing of vessel – hydrostatic, proof load testing
Surface treatment
Transport to site

Steel was sourced internationally from a Belgium mill due to the strict chemical restrictions and Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) resistance.

All fabrication for the project was performed in-house, giving Thornton Engineering greater project control with less reliance on sub-contractors and less risk on scheduled activities. This column was treated as two assemblies in our 25m Stress Relieving Oven, then hydrotested and painted in our 40m in-line paint shop.

This column was successfully delivered on time to client specifications for a planned shutdown.