Final Stages of the Pigging, and Liquid Product Distribution System Project
Welcome to the final blog in our series which documents a liquid product recovery (pigging) and liquid transfer project being delivered by HPS.
If you’ve missed the first few blogs in the series, then make sure you check them out:
Pigging Project Series (1): Pigging System Works Officially Commence
Pigging Project Series (2): Pigging System Project Installation Works Underway
The project is set to be completed shortly, so we thought we’d update you about what is happening in the final stages.
This blog article focuses on the closing stages of this project, which includes the final installation works and the commissioning of the pigging and liquid distribution equipment.
About the HPS Customer and the Pigging and Liquid Transfer Project
As a recap, the project is for a well-known manufacturer of paints and coatings. With more than 100 years behind them, they have established themselves as a household name in the paint, coatings, and decorative market and have production facilities throughout the world.
The pigging and liquid transfer project is for a manufacturing facility located in the UK. The project specifically involves the design, manufacture, and implementation of a full turnkey, fully automatic pigging, and liquid product distribution system for water-based paint manufacture and filling.
The paint production facility has a wide range of mixing, storage, tinting and filling processes where efficiency, safety, hygiene, waste reduction, and keeping downtime to a minimum are essential. Therefore, HPS worked alongside our partner engineering companies to supply a range of equipment to accommodate this requirement.
Four Stages of the HPS Project
Because the scope of the project is so large, it’s been broken down into various phases. This includes the following:
Stage One: Tinting Tanks to Fillers
Stage Two: Holding Tanks to Fillers
Stage Three: Holding Tanks to Tinting Tanks
Stage Four: Blending Tanks to Holding Tanks
Like with all HPS projects, our experts have been on hand every step of the way. We have a highly experienced and knowledgeable engineer looking after the project who has been constantly liaising with the customer and ensuring everything runs smoothly and that key deliverables are met.
Installation and Commissioning of the Tinting Tanks to Fillers
The last time we updated you on the project HPS were carrying out the installation and commissioning of the pigging and liquid transfer equipment in the tinting tank to fillers areas. This area was installed first in order that the paint could be transferred to the fillers so the fillers and conveyor systems could then be commissioned.
Commissioning of this area went smoothly. As with all HPS projects, rigorous testing was carried out in-house as well as on site to ensure the pigging and liquid transfer equipment was up and running, working effectively and importantly, was safe.
The commissioning process typically involves training and a handover process. But, as there was still lots of equipment to be installed and commissioned, this would come at a later stage.
Further Installation Works
Following the installation and commissioning of the pigging system paint solution in the tinting tank area to fillers, our installation team moved onto the installation of the HPS equipment in the holding tanks to fillers.
Installing new equipment can be extremely challenging. However, HPS has a highly experienced installation team dedicated to installing the highest quality equipment through excellence in engineering, manufacturing, and project management.
Like the first phase of the project, equipment installed in this area included pigging launch and receive equipment, specialist valves, AccuTect pig detectors, pig housing, valve manifolds, software and so on.
The next stages of the project then involved the installation of the HPS equipment in the holding tanks to tinting tanks area. Following this, the pigging and liquid transfer equipment was installed in the blending tanks to holding tanks area.
HPS worked closely with the customer to ensure that installation of the pigging system equipment and software was as simple and accurate as possible.
Commissioning the Pigging and Liquid Product Distribution System for Paint
We are now at the commissioning stage of the project. Most of the commissioning has been completed with it set to conclude in the next few weeks.
As well as ensuring the safety of the HPS equipment in the paint manufacturing facility, commissioning involves HPS engineers getting all the systems up and running, making sure everything is working properly and efficiently before handing them over to the customer.
The commissioning process can be quite lengthy as it involves rigorous mechanical and software checks and tests. In addition, it also involves running various sequences of the equipment such as the transfer sequence, pigging sequence and so on.
Due to the scope of the project, commissioning has been carried out over a few weeks. There’s lots of equipment installed, so there are literally thousands of sequences to check.
Finalising the Pigging and Liquid Transfer Project
After HPS engineers have finalised the commissioning in the next few weeks, the pigging and liquid transfer equipment will then be ready to be handed over to the customer.
Before this can happen, HPS will be carrying out training with relevant personnel that will be using and operating the equipment. This will cover everything from how to use the equipment safely and correctly to training on servicing, maintenance and so on.
Once training has been completed, all systems are operating properly, and the equipment has been accepted by the customer, the project will then be complete.
It doesn’t stop there, though. There’s an in-depth project-handover process to our customer care department. They’ll be fully briefed about the project and introduce themselves to the customer. They will then be on hand for help, advice, support, spares and maintenance enquiries throughout the lifespan of the customers equipment.
Pictures from the Pigging and Liquid Transfer Project for Paint
Contact HPS
Thanks for following our blog series about the pigging and liquid transfer project.
If this blog series has been of interest to you, then make sure you check out our case studies – Pipeline Pigging Case Studies
Alternatively, if you process liquids and have an upcoming project and would like to discuss it with HPS or arrange an on-site visit, please get in touch. Our friendly, knowledgeable process system experts will provide you with all the information you need to get started with your pigging project.