A client had a large complicated pressure vessel with protruding nozzles he needed to replace. The existing vessel was located in an upper story of a process building. It had to be extracted from its position, moved past existing equipment & piping and then brought to ground level on an elevator. There was nothing in the building with which to handle the vessel, which weighed several tons.

EEC was contracted to devise a plan. Field measurements were taken of the elevator, existing clearance space and building steelwork. The building structure, being 40 years old, was checked and inspected. Connections and members were examined. Recommendations were made to replace missing bolts, repair defects, etc. A 3D computer aided drafting (CAD) model of the vessel was prepared. A simulation of moving the vessel through available space and on the elevator was done. Items requiring temporary relocation were identified. A system of monorails and skids was developed and designed. A structural analysis of the building's floor and overhead steelwork was done and reinforcing where appropriate was recommended.

The entire plan was prepared and delivered to the client, who implemented it, and the vessel exchange went off without a hitch.