Challenge

AVEBE’s DEXTAK Dextrin Factory in Ter Apelkanaal was hit by a dust explosion in 2012. Stork was contracted to dismantle and rebuild the factory. The lead time had to be kept to a minimum in order to limit production downtime as much as possible. The redesign of the factory was exploited in order to make the factory even safer. This was done by increasing nitrogen levels to such an extent that the oxygen present is insufficient for combustion or explosion.

Solution

The dismantling and corresponding investigation was carried out in cooperation with AVEBE, the Labour Inspectorate and TNO, the Dutch technical research institute. After drawing up reports, Stork was contracted for the rebuilding and re-engineering (upgrade) of the DEXTAK factory. Stork performed the following work:

• Project management
• Engineering
• Procurement
• Construction management Provision of means for dismantlement and assembly
• E&I adaptations to meet NEN 3140 & Atex directives
• Servicing of rotating equipment (including pumps / rotary valves)
• Installation of pipework

Benefits

• Thanks to the multidisciplinary approach, with a focus on flexibility, the factory was again operational within a short period of time.
• Improved production processes in the areas of safety, ATEX, NEN3140, NEN1010, PED.
• Because the project lead time was short, and production downtime relatively short, AVEBE did not lose any clients.