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Construction Intensifies At Alberta Petrochemical Site


A new petrochemical site in Canada’s Alberta could be ready for production soon, as construction work on the plant has accelerated in the last few months.

 

Building of the $3.5 billion (£2.02 billion) Inter Pipeline’s Heartland Petrochemical Complex began in December 2017, but momentum to get the site finished has grown during the first quarter of this year, according to Pipeline News North.

 

Speaking to the news provider, a spokesperson from Inter Pipeline said due to a lack of other major projects in Alberta, the company is able to take advantage of the skilled labour resources and engineering and construction facilities that are widely available in the area.

 

Work to install support structures and build the foundations has begun, while civil construction and fabrication activities continue.

 

It is not just work on site that is taking shape quickly, as numerous vessels, such as an 800-tonne propane and propylene splitter, are being fabricated in other locations.

 

The plant has also procured key features that will be necessary for the site to run effectively, including turbines, valving, polypropylene extruder, pelletizer package and major compression equipment. This will ensure the facility is in running order when construction has finished.

 

Much of the equipment a petrochemical unit like this one will need when it is up and running can be found at Motherwell Tank Protection, including pressure vacuum relief valves and emergency vents. 

 

When Heartland Petrochemical Complex starts functioning, it is expected to be able to turn 525,000 tonnes of propane per year into polypropylene pellets. These could then be used for making plastic and fibrous products, including carpets, tote bags, rugs and ropes.