Critical Assembly Steps in the Comprehensive Overhaul of Phu My Fertilizer Plant

On January 10th, at around 2 PM, the scaffolding inside the equipment shell was removed to prepare for the installation of the catalyst basket.

Workers carefully dismantled the scaffolding following the prescribed procedures.

After removing the scaffolding from the equipment shell, the contractor divided the teams to clean the bolts, surfaces, apply rubber coating for sealing, and clean the bottom area.

Representatives from the contractor, licensor, investor, and consultant met on-site to inspect the installation conditions. Upon confirming technical compliance, they agreed to crane the new catalyst basket from the storage shell to the installation site later that day.

Mr. Hoàng Tuấn Minh (gray shirt), Foreman of the Ammonia Workshop (Phú Mỹ Fertilizer Plant), explained that the catalyst basket would be lifted from the storage shell into the equipment shell for a trial fit. This process gathers data on the gap between the basket’s bottom and the internal support. Afterward, the basket is lifted again to weld spacer plates, ensuring uniform gaps and aligning the basket vertically and concentrically as per technical requirements.

The crane cables were securely attached to the catalyst basket, ready to lift it from the storage shell.

By nearly 6 PM, the crane lifted the catalyst basket out of the storage shell.

The catalyst basket was successfully lifted out of the shell.

The 86-ton catalyst basket was carefully lifted and moved to the equipment shell for alignment and installation.

The catalyst basket approached the equipment shell.

After approximately 30 minutes, the catalyst basket was transferred from the storage shell into the equipment shell.

Workers adjusted the basket for precise placement inside the equipment shell.

Once the basket was securely positioned inside the equipment shell, the bottom section underwent sealing, flange reinstallation, and pipe welding to prevent air infiltration from below. Subsequently, the catalyst basket components (S300 type with 3 catalyst layers) were disassembled and inspected to ensure compliance. Catalyst loading will commence upon confirmation, with the entire installation process, including plant startup and catalyst activation, expected to take 7-8 days from basket placement.

To facilitate the catalyst basket replacement, Phú Mỹ Fertilizer Plant deployed two cranes with lifting capacities of 1,250 tons and 225 tons, coordinating to handle components weighing up to 105 tons. Depending on the position and height, the cranes were strategically calculated and load-distributed to ensure safety and precision throughout the installation process.