Unloading / Loading Services

Our highly skilled and trained personnel utilize best-in-class processes, procedures and modular equipment to safely remove spent catalyst and load fresh catalyst in process vessels for the refining, chemical, and petrochemical industries.

• Specialized vacuum systems
• High efficiency dust control systems
• Non-free fall sock loading
• State-of-the-art life support systems for vessel entry

Specialized Vacuum Systems

Custom truck and trailer mounted vacuum systems are computer controlled for efficient operation in vacuuming spent catalyst.  All vacuum systems employ high air-to-cloth ratio filtration bag house systems built into the cyclone/airlock to eliminate separate handling of dust and fines from independent bag house units.  All units are set up for nitrogen re-circulation of the vacuum stream back to the reactor.

High Efficiency Dust Control Systems

Our fully mobile high efficiency dust collection systems provide complete dust containment during catalyst dumping and loading.  Catalyst dust and fines are controlled and collected for environmental protection in and around the reactor, as well as for precious metal catalyst reclamation.

Non-Free Fall Sock Loading

Clean Harbors utilizes the non-free fall method of catalyst sock loading where a hopper and flexible sock are used in conjunction with personnel on the catalyst bed to control the flow of catalyst from the receiving hopper to the reactor.  This minimizes breakage of the catalyst particles, which can increase the pressure drop across the catalyst bed during operating conditions, creating a costly decrease in the end-of-run (EOR) time for the reactor.

State-of-the-art Life Support Systems for Entry

Clean Harbors’ custom designed modular/trailer life support systems for controlled entry into confined spaces incorporate two primary sources of breathing air, one independent secondary source of breathing air, a five minute egress bottle and an emergency egress line (EEL) for each entrant in the confined space.
In addition, a standby watchman is stationed at the point of entry with a SCBA system that is independent from the primary life support system.  This system includes one primary source of breathing air, one independent secondary source of breathing air, a five minute egress bottle, and an EEL.  The standby watchman is fully suited and ready to enter the confined space for emergency rescue operations in the unlikely event of an accident.

Our systems also include wired and wireless (Bluetooth) technology for uninterrupted communication with entry personnel, as well as three independent CCTV surveillance monitoring systems with DVD recording capability.

All entry operations are monitored and controlled by a console operator who maintains constant audio and video communications with the reactor entry technician and vessel man-way attending personnel.  Vessel conditions are constantly monitored via gas detection equipment for O2, H2S, CO, LEL, and temperature.  These features enhance the safety of vessel entry into a nitrogen atmosphere.