ExxonMobil PALA Switch Condenser Project

Contractor: Harmony Corp., Baton Rouge
Location: Baton Rouge
Cost: $7.9 million
Project manager: Frank Hardison
Jobsite Superintendents: Tim Hoffman & Barry Woods
Engineer: ExxonMobil, Baton Rouge

The PALA Switch Condenser Project was a major re-furbishing of the Phthalic Anhydride (PALA) Unit in ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge chemical plant. The project involved replacing 12 switch condensers (100,000 pounds each) and their infrastructure, which had been in service for more than 20 years.

With this project complete and the new equipment installed, the PALA unit (the largest of its kind in the world) could produce PALA for ExxonMobil customers for the next 30 years.

The PALA/Switch Condenser Project was executed in three phases:

· Planning and Constructibility - February 1998 to February 2000

· Pre-Turnaround - October 1998 to April 2000

· Downtime - April 2000 to May 2000

Harmony personnel were involved with the disassembly of two unit reactors, inspection and repair of the reactor tubes, a total process catalyst change, and re-assembly of the reactors. The unit gas compressor's 8,000-hp motor was rebuilt, which involved disassembly, removal, trucking, re-installment and assembly.

In addition to the capital expenditure work, Harmony and subcontractor personnel completed a 240-item maintenance work list. During all three phases of the project, Harmony's staff planned, monitored, audited and reported all disciplines and activities for the project.