Four Compression Load Cells Weigh 705-ton Petrochemical Component

Heavy lifting specialist Sarens USA used four wireless compression load cells from Straightpoint to weigh a large distillation column at a petrochemical plant on the Gulf Coast.

Four identical load cells of 330,000-pound capacity were used to measure the weight of the 287-foot vessel that weighed in at 1,410,000 pounds (705 tons). The distillation column will be used on the plant to separate mixtures into component parts.

Each end of the distillation column was weighed by lifting it with a self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) with the load cells positioned between the SPMT deck and the vessel support beams. The readings from each end were combined to determine the total weight.

Jay Holt, project manager, Sarens, said: “The distance from support beam to support beam, along with the weights of each end were utilized to determine the location of the center of gravity. This data was used to verify the loading to each of the two cranes that were used to upend the vessel from horizontal to vertical.”

Straightpoint Inc. general manager John Molidor said: “This is a common method of measuring loads of this kind and it is growing in popularity; we have participated in more such lifts already this year than last and I expect that trend to continue. The cable free wireless system is user friendly and virtually maintenance free.”

The distance from support beam to support beam, along with the weights of each end were utilized to determine the location of the center of gravity.

The load cells removed reliability issues associated with troublesome and hard to maintain cables, thus presenting Sarens with the opportunity to complete the work in a fraction of the time that would have been possible using alternative weighing methods.

Molidor added: “Sarens had already formulated a gameplan for the project when they contacted me. We just needed to finalize the number and capacity of our wireless compression load cells needed to complete the project. Our participation in Sarens lifting projects increases yearly. We have provided both Radiolink Plus and wireless compression load cells and look forward to providing many more force measurement solutions for their applications in future.”

Each end of the distillation column was weighed by lifting it with a self-propelled modular transporter.

All Straightpoint wireless compression load cells benefit from advanced microprocessor-based electronics plus exceptional resolution and accuracy. Data transmission is handled by the wireless system, providing high integrity transmission of data via the latest in IEEE 802.15.4 (2.4 GHz) technology, capable of a license free transmission range of up to 250m or 800 feet.