Back Ground
Blue Scope Steel
Australia-wide
BlueScope Steel, a leading steel manufacturer in Australia, operates a wide range of facilities that serve industries such as construction, automotive, and industrial sectors. The company prioritises sustainable manufacturing and consistently seeks to improve operational efficiency and safety. In line with this, Bluescope identified a significant challenge within their gas cleaning systems: managing drafts during maintenance operations. Draft mitigation is critical for maintaining system integrity, ensuring the safety of workers, and controlling contaminants, all of which are essential for smooth and safe production processes.
Challenges in Gas-Cleaning Systems
Gas-cleaning dust catchers play a crucial role in steel manufacturing by filtering exhaust gases to remove particulate matter before they are released into the environment. However, during shutdowns and maintenance periods, these systems become susceptible to drafts caused by pressure imbalances within the ducts and dust catchers.
Mitigating drafts in gas-cleaning dust catchers during maintenance is essential for protecting personnel and ensuring the containment of airborne contaminants. Uncontrolled drafts can expose workers to harmful dust and particulate matter, compromising workplace safety. Additionally, preventing air leaks during shutdowns helps to keep contaminants contained, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
Project Scope
To address the draft mitigation challenge, Bluescope Steel engaged Giant Inflatables Industrial to fabricate a custom duct balloon for use during maintenance shutdowns.
Bluescope’s engineering team provided detailed specifications, including a custom inflatable balloon designed to fit inside ducts with a 5m diameter. The layout provided by Bluescope highlighted crucial insertion points, including access ports at 1.6m x .47m at a 32° angle and an estimated draft pressure of -150Pa. Timely delivery was essential for Bluescope to proceed with their scheduled maintenance shutdown.
Results
The custom-engineered balloon provided by Giant Inflatables Industrial allowed Bluescope to block drafts efficiently, creating a safe work environment and preventing contamination during the shutdown. This project highlighted the importance of tailored, engineered solutions enabling Bluescope to uphold its safety and operational standards during essential maintenance work.
A closer look
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