UK firm rises to Total chimney challenge

London -- Delta International has carried out a major inspection and maintenance contract for four chimneys at Total’s Raffinerie de Provence mineral oil and gas refinery in France.

The contract involved analysis of the chimneys; including non-destructive testing and concrete core sampling, backed up with digital photography. Delta was also subsequently awarded a related diagnostic and repair contract at the facility.

The UK firm had to adapt to the 35-hour working week under French Law for the project, which was to be carried out over just a six-week shutdown period. Delta's solution was to increase productivity per operative hour such as by fitting a 240v motorised bosun’s cradle to all four chimneys to speed up the internal and external inspections.

Special abseiling equipment was fitted by means of modular steeplejack scaffolding to give the team access to the entire external surface of all four chimneys for the repair work. This enabled repairs to be carried out even with the chimneys back on-line, said a Delta statement.

The chimney repairs included the replacement of the acid resistant brick lining with new high temperature and acid resistant bricks embedded with furane cement and the reinstatement of the lightning conductor system. Delta also installed new stainless steel caps and in-situ welding of a new steel capping ring and replaced steel liners and sulphur flue linings, among other improvements.

Delta's role included advising Total on the required safety precautions and coordinating the project under strict health and safety guidelines. The whole project was completed on time, on budget and without incident, said a company statement.

According to Delta, Total was also particularly impressed with the modular steeplejack scaffold used to erect a safe working platform, giving access to any position on the chimney exterior, without the need for a full scaffold from ground level.