Heavy reactor installed at HPCL-Visakh Refinery

Visakhapatnam: As part of the Visakh Refinery Modernisation Project, Full Conversion Hydro Cracker Unit with a capacity of 3.053 MMTPA is being set up. While Universal Oil Products is the licensor for this unit, engineers India Limited is the project management consultant.

The first and second stage reactors are important for the unit. The first stage reactor with an erection weight of 1,646 MT has a wall thickness of 254.5 mm and stands 55.6 metres tall. The second stage reactor weighs at 454 MT and has a wall thickness of 184.5 mm and is 28.5 metre tall.

Both the reactors were supplied by Larsen and Toubro Limited. A special purpose multi axle was used for transportation from HSL jetty to HPCL-Visakh Refinery project site. All activities were closely monitored and reviewed by the HPCL-VRMP senior management in tune with safety, quality and schedule.

After erecting the second stage reactor successfully, the first stage reactor was set up on Tuesday using the 3,200 MT MSG 80 crane along with tailing frame of 2,000 MT capacity resting on a SPMT of 1,540 MT. According to the officials, this is one of the heaviest reactors erected in single piece in the Indian Oil Industry.