ExxonMobil

Delivering the impossible

Project overview

ExxonMobil commissioned Puma Engineering to produce several large pressure vessels. These pressure vessels were needed to provide secondary water filtration systems for a UK refinery.

We had already worked with ExxonMobil on smaller pressure vessels – and the customer was impressed with the quality of our work and our turnaround times.

Client name: ExxonMobil

Locations: United Kingdom

Project sectors: Pressure vessels

Planning

Project brief

Our brief was to supply two pressure vessels initially – measuring 5000mm (diameter), 6500mm (length) and with a 94,000-litre capacity.

These were to be based on existing vessels but upgraded to meet the latest engineering standards.

Pressure vessel being transported on a truck

Overcoming challenges

Project process

The project presented several challenges due to the unusual size and weight of the pressure vessels. Our engineers also installed a specially designed vessel frame to rotate and mount the various stages of the vessel build.

Special drawings and calculations were produced to ensure the correct centre of gravity alignment for such a large vessel.

Each pressure vessel needed to meet exacting requirements to ensure effective filtration of water passing into the sea.

We took care of all the design and manufacturing phases in close consultation with ExxonMobil and LRQA, as the independent assessor.

How we delivered

Project outcome

Our team produced a specialist lining to provide a barrier between the carbon steel structure and the salt water and a bespoke filter plate to remove sand and other particles from the seawater. With our extensive in-house expertise, we were able to manufacture this plate to the tight tolerances required.

On completion, we managed the logistics of transporting these abnormal loads to the site, working with various suppliers, the police and utility companies to minimise disruption.