Integrated energy and chemicals company Sasol’s R1.3-billion C3 stabilisation project, in Secunda, is on track to begin commercial operation, scheduled for the middle of 2014.

According to Sasol’s 2012 Annual Integrated Report, the objective of the project is to stabilise the C3 value chain in Secunda by delinking the extremely tight integration between the upstream synthol reactors, the propylene extraction units and the downstream chemical plants.

“Work on the project started in early 2012 and is scheduled for completion by the end of this year,” says engineering and construction company Foster Wheeler South Africa in the summer 2013 Foster Wheeler News publication.

In October last year, Engineering News reported that South Africa-based fire- proofing contractor BIC Fireproofing secured a contract to insulate and fireproof six large storage vessels, with a total surface area of about 7 000 m2, for the C3 project.

Working through Foster Wheeler South Africa, BIC Fireproofing completed the installation of all the vessels in the first half of 2013, each of which weighs 500 t and is 56 m long.

Foster Wheeler South Africa also reported in its summer 2013 newsletter that the vessels had been installed on time. A successful shutdown was completed in April to allow for the installation of the piping, instruments and electrical tie-ins.

The vessels are being insulated with a new type of fireproofing insulation, which is a combination of foam glass tiles and an epoxy coating. About 80 000 kg of the intumescent epoxy will be used and the finished system is designed to provide the vessels with a two-hour hydrocarbon fire rating.

“The thousands of foam glass tiles are individually glued onto the surface of the vessel, while the insulation of the vessels is expected to take eight months to complete. Also, the civils and structural steel contracts for the C3 project are nearing completion and the main focus is now on piping installation,” says Foster Wheeler South Africa.

The company notes that all the companies involved in the project have worked together well and have achieved a no-incidents safety record.