Triumphant first for local engineering company
Swift Nova Engineering Solutions, formerly known as Swift Moumakoe Engineering Solutions, this week delivered an arc furnace roof to PetroSA’s GTL refinery in Mossel Bay.
This intricate part of the GTL process, a first of its kind to be built by a local company, was designed and fabricated at the Swift Nova Engineering Solutions workshop in Voorbaai, after they were successfully awarded the tender.
What makes this feat more remarkable, is that fabrication took place amid tremendous challenges. This included time management and the procurement of the necessary materials from local suppliers amid the unexpected national state of disaster, which resulted in the worldwide lockdown. This had an impact on continuity and posed other challenges too.
Swift Nova Engineering Solutions, in terms of the tender and as the project management team, was responsible for drawing up the design, as well as procuring all materials and consumables needed during the fabrication process. From start to finish, this constituted a full-scale engineering, procurement and construction project.
Sophisticated equipment operated by skilled artisans, who received in-house training, were used to shape the tubes through a process of cold forming. Once formed, the tubes were joined together in circuits and connected by coded welders in adherence to regulatory codes.
Due to the complexity of the design, strict quality control and assurance, as well as continuous monitoring and inspection by the PetroSA Approved Inspection Authority (AIA) and in-house qualified quality assurance team, were done.
Furthermore, a third party non-destructive testing inspection authority ensured that full compliance was met.
The final pressure testing and assembly was completed on Friday, 13 November 2020. Finally, the longevity of the unit was ensured through preparation and corrosion protection.
On Monday, 16 November 2020 staff of Swift Nova Engineering Solutions looked on with pride as the newly fabricated arc furnace roof was transported to
PetroSA.
The abnormal load was accompanied by local traffic officials during the move to the PetroSA GTL Refinery. Mr Danie Otto of Swift Nova Engineering solutions thanked local law enforcement for ensuring the furnace roof reached its destination safely.
“The entire process was executed by our trained, qualified staff at our facility in Voorbaai.
“A sincere word of appreciation goes to all, especially our client PetroSA, for entrusting us with this valuable and important asset in the GTL process,” says Danie Otto, a director of Swift Nova Engineering Solutions.