The assignment for Iv-Industrie is clear. Integrate the skid within the existing tank farm and design and realise a new storage facility for regenerated solvents at the De Geer location. Christian: “We had to link the new installation to the existing systems. For this, we had to realise around 50 tie-ins on existing solvent pipelines. While the production at Aspen continued as usual.” Logistically, this was an enormous challenge at a plant that doesn’t stop. “The tank farm remained in use. Trucks continued to load and unload which had to be taken into consideration when planning. After all, you are working in an environment with chemical substances. Safety was the highest priority in everything, and yes, this made the work a little more complex."

Aspen is a BRZO company. It is covered by the Seveso-III-Directive, a directive that aims at the prevention of major accidents involving dangerous substances. “That means that everything you do is carefully examined with a large magnifying glass, so to speak. The advantage of this is that it keeps you incredibly sharp”, says Christian, who with his men was intensively supervised by internal SHE specialists who pay close attention to the Safety, Health, Environment (SHE) regulations. Including all the safety standards for every supplier and sub-suppliers of Aspen. “During the welding activities that took place in the tank farm for several weeks, we placed an LEL (Lower Explosion Level) meter with 16 gas detectors situated at the highest point, this to provide a continuous measurement. Based on the location where we were operative, these were assessed every day in combination with, for example, the wind direction. The LEL meters keep a close eye on these risks."

"From nothing to the end result." This is what made the project extra special for Christian. “We have done everything within a time slot of two years. Always nice; such large projects. You take on more ownership too because you're right in the middle of it. You know everything about the project.” For six months, he himself was nearly always present at the De Geer location. Christian: “The size of the project really suited me and all disciplines from civil and groundwork to process and piping were united in it. Everything was just small enough to be closely involved in all that was happening.”

The extensive article can be found in our magazine.