Our client list in this sector includes a wide range of companies manufacturing both semi-finished and finished products in carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminium and, as always, has a somewhat different set of challenges and requirements to be met.

Often, strong acids are used for the removal of scale (for example in stainless steel processing) or for producing a mirror finish (for example in aluminium processing), therefore consuming large quantities of chemicals. This means that effluent streams can be relatively concentrated and require removal of anions such as sulphate or fluoride, in turn producing large quantities of sludge.

Bulk storage for treatment chemicals (as well as process chemicals) is normally required, and sludge handling and dewatering facilities are substantial. When de-scaling stainless steel, hydrofluoric acid is commonly used, and this presents its own particular set of challenges, especially when using 70% HF, the strongest commercially available grade. Particular attention has to be paid to both the design and installation of the handling systems, with additional safeguards being essential to ensure a high degree of protection against this highly dangerous chemical. We have designed, built and installed a number of installations for hydrofluoric acid storage, dosing and treatment, and our engineers are available to advise on current best practice.

To minimise operating costs, plants in this sector normally need to operate 24/7 and plant designs therefore need to be robust, with standby equipment at critical points to ensure continuous availability of the system as a whole.