Changeovers must be quick and efficient if expensive downtime is to be minimised, Cape DBI has built long experience replacing catalysts both on and offshore, in the UK, Europe and around the Globe.

Catalyst handling

Catalyst loading, removal, handling, retrieval or disposal is a highly specialised area of activity that is far more complex than merely ‘shovelling the stuff in’.

Various catalysts are widely used throughout the petrochemical, pharmaceutical, agrochemical and processing industries to speed the rate of reactions. Whilst many catalysts have long working lives, they must be renewed periodically to maximise efficiency.

Catalyst extraction

As with every area of activity safety is paramount meaning costly man-entry is avoided wherever possible. The Company operates a variety of low noise units powered by diesel, electricity or compressed air that have been specified to meet the most demanding offshore applications. This specialised vacuum equipment which is approved for work in all Zoned hazardous areas and is suitable for a broad spectrum of applications, delivering airflows from 700 up to 4700 cfm.

Collection In addition to extractors, Cape DBI uses a range of collection units that cover the full spectrum of catalyst types. Standard units are available for heavier material as well as units for conveying light, dry and dusty material. These light material units units are fitted with an integral filter bank that can separate particles down to 1 micron - stopping virtually all carry-over and maximising site cleanliness and safety. Once collected, material may be deposited into skips, bags, barrels, or tankers ready for recycling, segregation or disposal.

Personnel

All Cape DBI operatives have been trained extensively in the use of catalyst handling equipment for both inert and non-inert entry conditions. The Company’s teams have built up wide-ranging experience across all applications, not only within Europe, but across the Globe as far afield as Nigeria, Australia and Thailand.

Catalyst types

Cape DBI has the capability to handle catalysts in a variety of forms ranging from powders and extrudates, to flakes and spherical forms with minimal attrition damage to the material. The Company has worked with many different types of catalyst, including molecular sieves, activated carbon, resins, lead, cement and sinter dust, plastic and steel pall rings and ceramic ball bed support.