Industrial

Critical Valve Automation for a Mining Company

Project overview

Challenge:

A failed valve at an open-pit mining company in Arizona created a critical safety issue, and an exact replacement could take up to 12 weeks.

Solution:

Ferguson located an approved equivalent product, built the valve package, mount tested it in Chicago and delivered it fast—within 72 hours, the assembly was mounted and operational on site.

Background and project scope

When an unexpected product failure slows operations to a crawl, facilities need a partner they can trust to deliver a replacement quickly and get them back in action.

Ferguson Industrial understands the urgency that follows product failures, and we’re willing to do whatever it takes to get our customers up and running again.

When an oxygen relief valve failed in a vessel at an open-pit mining complex in Arizona, the facility knew we could provide a quality, quickly sourced solution.

The failed valve created a critical safety issue for the mining complex, forcing them into a costly operational slowdown. The customer was unable to provide exact product details for the valve, but our experts were able to identify the product based on a few pictures and some service conditions: a 1", 300-lb., stainless steel, full-port, split-body, automated, metal-seated ball valve.

We quickly realized that sourcing and delivering an exact replacement would take 10 to 12 weeks—an unacceptable timeframe at their current rate of operation. Our team worked tirelessly to qualify the customer’s needs and find an alternative valve.

The solution: Ferguson Industrial

We located an equivalent product from our approved manufacturer list, built the valve package, and mount tested it at our valve automation center in Chicago. Within 72 hours, our customer had the entire assembly mounted and operational on site.

Our knowledgeable associates, quick response and project ownership were crucial to reducing lead times, minimizing expensive downtime and re-establishing a safe operating environment for the mine complex team.

To learn more about how your company can benefit from our full selection of services, visit ferguson.com/industrial.