Metallurgically clad spools for refinery

BUTTING in Knesebeck recently received an order from a refinery belonging to an American petroleum company to produce more than 13 tonnes of spools made from clad material. For the first time, the order includes clad pipe elbows made from two halves, manufactured independently by the family business.

An extensive revamp is currently underway at a refinery in Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA. Work includes replacing the pipework for the vacuum furnace. This requires various spools made from clad material ASTM A516 Grade 70 and 317L in accordance with ASME B31.3.

BUTTING in Canada received the order from the refinery operator, for which BUTTING in Knesebeck will produce pipe dimensions ranging from OD 219.1 to OD 457.2 mm in accordance with ASTM A672 and with a wall thickness of (9.53 + 3.0) mm for this application. The spools must conform to ASME B 31.3 and a client specification, and also undergo 100% X-ray testing.

In addition to the metallurgically clad pipes, BUTTING will also manufacture tees, as well as concentric and eccentric reducers. A particular highlight for the production areas in Knesebeck is the manufacture of clad pipe elbows made from two halves in various sizes. For the first time, BUTTING will construct these elbows from clad material in two halves.

The family business will also handle the prefabricated assembly of the spools. Matthias Leber, Sales Director Spools and plant construction, is particularly proud: "The production is very challenging from a technical point of view. A clad pipe elbow made from two halves is a welding challenge in itself, and the client has very high technical and quality standards as well. The business unit Spools and plant construction in Knesebeck has taken on this project." The client has appointed independent acceptance inspectors to verify the client's specifications. The same inspectors will also monitor ongoing production, as well as final acceptance of the products on site.

BUTTING produces ready-to-install components for equipment and plant construction in line with customer specifications in every technically feasible shape and in accordance with all common standards, e.g. AD or ASME regulations. The use of semi-finished products from our own plant and extensive factory prefabrication with a high degree of automation, supported by technically qualified personnel, ensures a premium product with a high level of operational reliability.

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