Pressure vessels destined for service in the chemical industry demand rigorous testing and fabrication expertise. New Zealand-based Taurus Engineering specialises in this challenging task.
Text & images by Taurus Engineering
In early 2023, Christchurch (New Zealand) based Taurus Engineering partnered with a company in Queensland, Australia, to deliver a pressure vessel for air purification in the chemical industry in Melbourne. Taurus is part of the Vortex Group, a collective of nine companies split between Australia and New Zealand focusing on environmental engineering and air pollution control. The mechanical engineering company specialises in the design, manufacture, installation and servicing of air pollution control systems, fume and dust extraction systems and material handling solutions.
Built for demanding applications
The pressure vessel was built to the main specification of AS1210 Class 3 Pressure Vessel, with additional examination and pressure testing required to be done to Spec (4037-1999_R2016). All welding was done to ASME IX specs. Constructed using grade 304 stainless steel with thicknesses between 5mm and 20mm, the vessel was made of plate, pipe, fasteners, rod, and machined flanges. These materials were chosen for their strength, malleability, and resistance to corrosive environments and applications.
Designed for corrosion challenges
The vessel was designed for a specific application in the chemical industry. However, due to its use, there were potential corrosive challenges that needed to be considered during the construction process. Welding the pressure vessel presented multiple challenges, including Die Pen testing and 100% visual examination, as the vessel needed to meet the hazardous Class 3 specifications. Quality assurance checks needed to be thorough, and all material certificates were checked upon arrival. Multiple parties were involved in the welding process to ensure that no preparation was missed and that all quality assurance documents showed compliance with the AS1210 Class 3 specs.
Successful delivery
The vessel had a capacity of 3.6 m3 and a maximum operating pressure of 0.58 bar. Its technical details made it unique and of particular interest to the chemical industry. The successful delivery of this pressure vessel demonstrated the Taurus teams expertise in meeting the specific needs of clients in the chemical industry and its commitment to meeting the highest quality standards.
About Taurus Engineering
Taurus Engineering stands out with its unique areas of expertise and specialisations. Their core strength lies in providing tailored engineering solutions for various sectors, including infrastructure projects such as water infrastructure, power infrastructure, as well as petrochemical equipment and structural steel.
With over 30 years of industry experience, Taurus Engineering has established itself as a leader in the field. They have successfully collaborated with numerous award-winning companies on the construction of iconic buildings during the Christchurch rebuild, following the devastating earthquakes.
