MOBILE TESTING RIG EnerMech’s pressure safety valve testing rigs provide a rapid response service to valves clients in the gas, iron, steel and chemicals industries
Mechanical engineering services provider EnerMech has invested R5.3-million in developing a door-to-door valves service for South Africa’s industrial services and energy sectors.
The international mechanical engineering group has equipped two mobile pressure safety valve (PSV) testing rigs, capable of delivering valve certification and servicing to South African customers.
The smaller rig can service valves up to 4", while the larger unit is capable of 12" valve certification and has pressure gauge testing up to 40 000 psi.
Staffed by eight PSV technicians working on rotation, the two units can operate within a 2 000 km radius of Cape Town, in the Western Cape, and provide a rapid response services to valves clients in the gas, iron, steel and chemicals industries.
EnerMech says its investment in the rigs has proved particularly popular with clients who, under South African law, require safety valves to be recertified every one to three years.
“Some clients prefer not to have their safety valves going off-site, which is why we go to them,” says EnerMech GM Africa Stephen David.
He adds that EnerMech’s highly mobile response team prevents delays, improves process safety and acts as a safety net for the client who needs sourcing of new valves and spares.
David adds that smart, logistical route planning means clients can benefit from multiple visits on a typical round-trip. Through their regular visits, EnerMech technicians are able to predict when a valve could be expected to fail and can optimise the scheduling of a full maintenance programme to reduce client downtime.
David believes there is a bright outlook for EnerMech’s valves division, adding that there are lots of exciting opportunities in South Africa, many of which lie outside the traditional oil and gas sectors, in which EnerMech has historically operated.
David states that, in addition to the mainstream heavy industries, EnerMech is working in diverse sectors such as the brewery and pulp and paper industries.
“I can see our wider offering, including the recent introduction of industrial services in the region, being of widespread appeal with those varied businesses,” he says.
UK-headquartered EnerMech has a staff complement of more than 100 based in Africa, as well as operations in South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Angola.
It has invested more than £4-million in establishing a local presence in each country and in developing the infrastructure to deliver a fast response service for each of its seven divisions.