Polish chemicals major bolts on UK technology

Dudley, UK -- Polish chemicals producer Anwil SA has employed bolts technology from James Walker RotaBolt, part of the James Walker Group, to resolve problems on a high-capacity heat exchanger at one of its nitrogen fertiliser plants.

Failures in tension control of the bolts on the heat exchanger’s main flange -- over 1400mm in diameter and using hydrogen as a process gas -- had previously caused many shutdowns at the plant. Having identified the source of the problem, Anwil ordered M80 x 770mm RotaBolts from BP Techem SA -- James Walker’s official distributor in Poland – to meet the required load of 90 tonnes per bolt across the main flange.

Since the RotaBolts were fitted on-site in early September the main flange joint has retained its integrity and the plant has been running non-stop at full capacity, according to a Jamer Walker statement. Anwil, it added, is now in talks with BP Techem about the further application of RotaBolt tension control on other pressure vessels, heat exchangers and reactors, all of which impact the plant’s efficiency and productivity.