Lansdowne Chemicals

Haden Freeman Increase Productivity with Site Improvements

Haden Freeman Ltd (HFL) has completed a £1.5m project for Oxfordshire-based Lansdowne Chemical Ltd that has seen it improve safety at the plant, adhere to new industry regulations, as well as promoting a more efficient working environment.

Lansdowne Chemicals is a specialist chemical manufacturing company and the market leader in diluting Hydrazine Hydrate in the UK. Its main area of expertise is in the power sector, which use significant volumes of HH to remove dissolved oxygen from boiler water, preventing corrosion damage. As an antioxidant, it protects pipes from rust and increases the life expectancy of plant equipment.

HFL was briefed to develop loading and offloading facilities that not only enable bulk handling of Hydrazine Hydrate (HH), but offer containment in the event of a spillage, meeting the requirements of the Environment Agency. The final design, of a completely closed transfer system, ensures there is no human exposure throughout the whole operation, from Lansdowne production staff through to the power station personnel using the product. The work also provides the ability to monitor product inventory and process conditions.

The project took place over 11 months and HFL minimised downtime at the plant allowing the existing facility to remain fully operational throughout the works. Construction took place on adjacent land, previously used as a haulage yard and HFL installed segregated underground drainage, bunded areas for bulk storage tanks, provision of mechanical and electrical services, new process pipework and a compressor upgrade. HFL oversaw the construction process from design to implementation and also provided guidance and support with COMAH and IPPC compliance.

Doug Chaplin, managing director of Lansdowne Chemicals Ltd, said: “We have been thoroughly impressed with the work carried out by Haden Freeman. Potential risks were identified early and measures were put in place to ensure the project was implemented without delay. We have been able to continue day-to-day activity throughout the construction period which was absolutely key, and the improvements now give us a significant competitive advantage in the market place.”

Malcolm Davies, health and safety adviser at Haden Freeman said: “We were able to apply our key areas of expertise to this project which resulted in a multidisciplinary coordinated team approach to the work. The resulting facility means that the plant can process greater amounts of Hydrazine Hydrate and manufacture it in a safer and more cost effective way.”