Customer story
Cargill: ‘With the delivery of the tanks, we have successfully launched our new lecithin production process’
Gpi Tanks produces 7 stainless steel tanks for new production facility in Antwerp
Cargill NV in Antwerp processes oil seeds, such as rapeseed, producing vegetable oils for the food industry and flour for the animal feed industry. To optimise current lecithin production, the need arose for four process tanks and three storage tanks.
Jonas Thys, production engineer at Cargill NV was involved from start to finish and tells us about the genesis: ‘The application was made because Cargill wanted to realise a new lecithin production line to upgrade lecithin, which is currently removed from crude oil and returned to flour, into a valuable end product. This required an expansion of plant capacity and storage facilities’
The order
The order for Cargill NV consisted of the supply of a total of seven tanks, including four process tanks and three storage tanks. These tanks play an essential role in the rape seed lecithin production process. The four process tanks are buffer and mixing tanks, in which the process of standardisation and drying takes place. The final product, dried rapeseed lecithin, is then stored in the three stainless steel storage tanks. These tanks keep the product warm and guarantee quality.
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.
Specifications
The four process tanks are compact stainless steel tanks, made of 304L and 316L stainless steel, with capacities ranging from a few m³ to 50 m³. All tanks are equipped with a conical bottom and are fully insulated. On request, two tanks are fitted with ‘Zimmerlin’ manholes-and one with an agitator. The 50 m³ oil buffer tank is equipped with baffle plates and an elbow dippipe, designed for efficient recirculation and homogenisation of the contents.
The three 90 m³ storage tanks have a height of 11 metres and a diameter of 3.3 metres. They are equipped with pillow plate jackets, which keep the product at temperature by means of hot water. The tanks have a sloping, flat bottom to allow the viscous product to flow completely out of the tank. In addition, a cage ladder and walking platform were added upon request, making inspection and access to instruments on the roof of the tanks easy and safe. Gpi also provided Vlarem 2 certification for all tanks.
Transport and installation
In transport and installation, planning was the biggest challenge. The process tanks had to enter the building before it was completely finished and sealed. Jonas explains: ‘That was exciting for a while, but Gpi delivered exactly as agreed. The tanks were transported by road and this went according to plan.’ The placement and installation of the tanks was handled by Cargill’s project group. Jonas is very pleased with the continued support from Gpi: ‘Recently, the agitator of one of the tanks was weighted, with Gpi carrying out recalculations. This went according to agreement and we received a neat report.
About the result and the cooperation
The delivery of the tanks enabled Cargill to start up its new process of lecithin production. This made the Antwerp site the first rapeseed plant within Cargill, making this project crucial for the success of future projects within the company.
Production engineer Jonas looks back on the course of the project with satisfaction: ‘I am very satisfied with how this project went and can only recommend Gpi for further projects within Cargill’.
