Project MCP2020002: Engineering Excellence in the Face of Critical Infrastructure Challenges

MegChem was recently engaged by a client to address a significant issue with a critical tank, a vital asset that had suffered extensive foundation damage due to prolonged exposure to sulphuric acid. Over time, the acid, when mixed with water from rainfall, became highly corrosive, posing a severe risk to the tank’s integrity and the surrounding environment.

The leakage from the tank resulted in the foundation moving unpredictably in multiple directions, which in turn caused the tank to shift. This movement exerted excessive stress on the tank’s piping components and nozzles, raising concerns about potential failures. Initially, the project was conceived as a rerouting initiative, aimed at redirecting the pipelines connected to the tank to a new temporary tank, allowing for the safe bypass of the damaged tank while its foundation underwent rehabilitation.

However, the situation demanded immediate attention. The tank was deemed highly dangerous, prompting a shift in the project’s focus. The relocation efforts were temporarily halted to prioritize the introduction of flexible hoses on the tank’s nozzles. These flexible hoses effectively alleviated the overstress condition on the nozzles, stabilizing the situation and buying time for the project team to finalize the rerouting design.

Once the flexible hoses were in place and the immediate danger mitigated, MegChem, in collaboration with the client, finalized and implemented the design to reroute the lines to the temporary tank. This solution not only safeguarded the tank’s structural integrity but also ensured continued operational efficiency.

This project is a testament to our ability to deliver innovative engineering solutions under pressure, ensuring safe operational continuity for our clients.