Innovative Offshore Mobile CIP Solution by INOXPA: A Case Study
In the tough setting of offshore oil and gas work, keeping filtration systems working well is very important. One part that needs frequent cleaning is the membrane filtration used in different processes, like hydraulic systems in petrochemical work. However, unique challenges of offshore areas, like small spaces, dangerous conditions, and strict safety rules, make finding the right cleaning approach hard. This is where INOXPA came in with a new, specialized solution that fit a customer’s needs in the Asia Pacific region.
Customer Background
The customer is a notable maker of hydraulic systems for the petrochemical sector, focusing on on-and offshore oil and gas operations. Their work relies on very efficient and reliable membrane filters on their Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, essential for offshore oil and gas getting.
Due to the tough offshore conditions, the customer needed a mobile Cleaning-in-Place (CIP) system to clean their membrane filters while following high offshore standards. The problem? They could not find one company skilled in both CIP and offshore requirements—until they discovered INOXPA.
The Challenge
The requirement was crystal clear: complex, high-standard, mobile CIP system for CIP system for CIP on the FPSO ship, belonging to the customer. The requirement was nowhere near simple. The overwhelming challenges such as limited space of the offshore environment, safety concerns, and requiring direct simple and reliable operation in explosive atmospheres demanded a very effective system with hygiene and safety in a settling of stricter standards.
The customer required a specialist who would design a solution that would meet the hygiene requirements and at the same time feature all the necessary safety aspects as offshore requirements demand. INOXPA, given its wide experience in hygienic cleaning technologies, could produce a tailored-made solution meeting those exacting demands.
Why INOXPA?
INOXPA stood out because of its ability to design a hybrid solution that combined expertise from both the hygienic CIP sector and the offshore industry. The company’s team studied the customer’s specific needs and requirements, aligning them with INOXPA’s standard hygienic CIP equipment designs. The result was an innovative solution that merged two different technological domains into one seamless and highly functional system.
The customer was impressed by the high level of customization and INOXPA's ability to adapt their technologies to the unique offshore conditions. By carefully considering the specifications, INOXPA was able to provide a system that addressed both the technical requirements and the operational demands of the FPSO ship.
The INOXPA Solution
INOXPA was different due to its designing hybrid solution as a combination of hygienic CIP and offshore industry domain expertise. Their team analyzed and matched the requirements of the specific customer with what INOXPA could provide out of their set standard designs in hygienic CIP. This led to the development of an innovative new solution that effectively combined two previously unrelated technological areas into one totally integrated and fully functional system.
The customer was impressed by the high level of customization and the ability of INOXPA to adapt their technologies to the unique offshore conditions. INOXPA carefully considered the specifications to deliver a system that addressed both the technical requirements and the operational demands of the FPSO ship.
This project broke new ground for INOXPA in offshore cleaning solutions through its custom-designed mobile CIP system. The design was such that it would be totally manual with simple “on/off” controls and minimal electrical instrumentation. Thus, it allows for the simplest form of operation to be followed by offshore crews in order to operate and maintain the system with minimum training and technical support.
INOXPA also provided a special cartridge filter which was offshore approved that would ensure the safety and efficiency of the system in such harsh environments. For proper and utmost performance and durability, all parts were designed using 316L stainless steel.
Key features of the INOXPA solution included:
- Hybrid Design: The system perfectly integrated hygienic CIP technology with the offshore requirements in a unique manner to cater for the customer.
- 316L Stainless Steel Construction: The entire CIP unit was constructed from corrosion-resistant 316L stainless steel, which ensures long life and resistance to the harsh offshore environment.
- ATEX Certification: It has designed the system for Zone 2 II 3G EX dii BT3Gc ATEX, thus rendering it safe for operations in explosive atmospheres to be prescribed by this requirement in offshore work.
- Safety Standards: The CIP unit was constructed to meet extreme offshore safety standards, which give a lot of comfort in such hazardous working environments.
- Low-Flow Design: It had a low-flow design, which maximized filtration efficiency with reduced operational costs and minimzed environmental impact.
Installation Characteristics
The two mobile CIP skids were designed to be easy to operate, strong, and effective under extreme offshore conditions. The following are some of the main installation characteristics:
- Single Tank: The 200-litre tank in each skid is made compact and efficient.
- Hyginox SEN-28 Centrifugal Pump: The pump for this system has been chosen for reliability and good flow control.
- Stainless Steel Control Panel: The control panel is stainless steel and has an IP65-66 rating, which makes it functional even in wet hazardous environments.
- Multi Outlet, Single Pass: Skids have multiple outlets for flexibility and single-pass design for easy use.
- Low-Flow Operation: The low-flow design of the system conserves resources without compromising cleaning efficiency.
- ATEX Certification: The system is provided with the necessary ATEX Zone 2 II 3G EX dii BT3Gc certification, attesting that it guarantees offshore safety standards safety.
Conclusion
This case study demonstrates the creativity and expertise of INOXPA in providing tailored solutions for difficult offshore environments. Combining knowledge of hygienic cleaning technology with a profound understanding of the requirements of the offshore environment, INOXPA was able to design and manufacture a mobile CIP system that far exceeded the expectations of the customer.
The hybrid CIP system offered by INOXPA guarantees that the membrane filter installation aboard the FPSO ship works optimally. Additionally, this cleaning solution offers reliability, safety, and low cost tailored for the offshore production of oil and gas.
With INOXPA’s cutting-edge technology, it now boasts a high-performance, custom-designed mobile CIP system, which meets the most challenging requirements of offshore operation to ensure efficiency, safety, and minimal disturbance to the environment.
