BHC Ltd. were awarded the Principal Contractor role to construct the BDI building as part of Argent Energy’s expansion plan within the Essar Stanlow Refinery at Ellesmere Port, Chester.
Construction started in early January 2016 and the initial building formed the central‘core’ of the 2nd phase Bio-Diesel Processing Plant. The BDI hall’s structural steelwork sits on a 1,800 m2 footprint and extends seven storeys high. The main processing functions take place in this space with Mek / Cap Preparation and Fertiliser Drying areas. Chemical and Fertilizer lean to stores with a compressor /chilling room add a further 260 m2 to the ground floor accommodation.
The pre-construction preparation and site clearance reclaimed old foundations and slabs, generating under-build and platform material. This was stockpiled, crushed, graded and reintroduced as a piling matt including ground formation to support the concrete raft floor construction. Concrete piles were driven into the ground for supporting the waterproof, in situ concrete, raft slab construction.
Steelwork also commenced in January 2016 , assisting with the coordination and delivery of the clients large specialised processing plant installations. Internal mezzanine levels for maintaining the equipment were also integrated with access walkways, platforms, internal cranage and associated hoisting rails.
100 tonnes of primary and secondary steelwork construction required an array of suitable finished for protection. The intumescent and galvanised treatments were employed to satisfy fire/building standards but also to ensure the new envelope could withstand the harsh environment created by the chemical processes in the building.
After the sequencing of the main plant installations, steel structure and cladding, explosive dividing walls with internal fire compartmentation could finally be installed.
