Extensive range of services from a single source
As a result of the energy crisis and the resultant threat of gas supply problems for industrial customers, they are increasingly turning to off-grid tank facilities for their supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Teams from the CityNetworks & Grids operational division at SPIE Deutschland & Zentraleuropa cater to this need by installing infrastructure for various industrial customers that allows them to use LNG for their processes. One of those customers is Zapp Precision Metals in Schwerte.
SPIE took on responsibility for consulting, planning, project management and project execution, all from a single source, on behalf of Zapp Precision Metals. A 15-strong team fitted the supply pipes from the vaporiser to the gas pressure regulator, installed the gas pressure regulator itself and established the connection to the equipment on the factory site that would be using the gas.
Safety first
The client provides the LNG in a permanent tank or, alternatively, on a trailer. Safety is always the top priority for SPIE on any project. “We work with an odorant so that the LNG, which is odourless by itself, can be detected if any leaks do occur,” says Michael Heiber, who heads SPIE Deutschland & Zentraleuropa’s Gasdruckregel- und Messanlagenbau1 office.
Rapid project implementation
The multi-technical service provider planned and installed the LNG infrastructure at Zapp Precision Metals within six months, putting it into operation in November 2022. “One particular challenge for the project was that the customer wanted the new infrastructure to be put in place quickly. Our team was more than equal to the task, demonstrating great expertise, reliability and an ability to come up with tailor-made solutions at short notice,” says Heiko Prenger, project manager at SPIE.
Reinforcing a long-standing business relationship
With this latest project, SPIE and Zapp Precision Metals have built upon their long-standing close business relationship. “We are proud of how much Zapp trusts us and of how satisfied they were with our successful execution of the project. The possibility of converting the energy supply system at the location at short notice allowed us to give our customer the certainty and security it needs to plan its processes,” says Peter Pfannenstiel, General Manager of the CityNetworks & Grids operational division at SPIE Deutschland & Zentraleuropa.
