Customer story
Cargill: ‘The new stainless steel tank offers a safe and sustainable solution for the future’
Gpi Tanks supplies a 24 m3 stainless steel sulphuric acid tank
Cargill NV in Antwerp processes oil seeds, such as rapeseed, producing vegetable oils for the food industry and flour for the animal feed industry. Due to rejection of the current tank within the tank farm, the demand arose for a new stainless steel sulphuric acid tank.
Glen Verbraak, project engineer at Cargill NV, was involved in the project from start to finish. He tells us how this project came about: ‘The old sulphuric acid tank was leaking and had to be replaced. The inspection body that came to look at the old tank indicated that this tank had to be replaced within three months, otherwise we would no longer be allowed to hold sulphuric acid.’ Without this tank, production would come to a halt, so action had to be taken quickly. So Glen and his colleague were called in to solve this problem.
About the order
The order involved the design, manufacture and supply of a 24m3 capacity sulphuric acid tank, built to European standard EN14015 and Vlarem II. The existing tank at Cargill was a simple coated carbon steel tank, but for the replacement, Cargill wanted to meet the requirements of their Best Practice programme. Glen explains: ‘To get the most out of the tank, we looked at the latest requirements. We wanted a future-proof tank. We expect that the tank will later be used for waste storage and that there will be another larger new tank to store sulphuric acid. The tank is therefore insulated and fitted with two idle flanges, so that we can use it for multiple applications.’
Choice of Gpi
Glen talks about his choice of Gpi: ‘Our systems indicated several preferred suppliers, in which Gpi emerged as well-rated for the volume and design we had in mind. After reviewing several quotes, the final choice fell on Gpi as it was the most complete and met our tight schedule. Gpi was able to deliver quickly, which was crucial for this project. In addition, Glen had already worked with Gpi during a previous project, and looks back on that very positively.
Transport and installation
During the replacement and installation of the new tank, the most important thing was to keep the plant running. For this, the sulphuric acid tank was indispensable. Glen says of this major challenge: ‘We were fortunately able to arrange a rental tank so that we could pump out the old tank without disrupting production. Tight planning was crucial. Installing the new tank was not without its challenges either. Due to an overhanging platform at the spot where the tank was to be placed, it was not easy to get the tank in the right place’. By eventually changing the lifting points and adjusting the tank’s handrail, the tank could be slid under the platform, so to speak. Gpi’s mechanics solved this well.
Result and cooperation
With the delivery of the new tank, Cargill can again safely store sulphuric acid without shutting down production. Glen looks back: ‘We faced a big challenge and together with Gpi we were able to solve it well and on time. Not only do we now have a replacement tank, but also one that meets the right requirements and is future-proof for other applications.’
Project engineer Glen looks back very positively on the course of the project: ‘We were very well served by Gpi for this project, from engineering to the final installation of the tank. A great product was delivered and I am convinced that we completed a successful project, which we at Cargill are very pleased with’.
