Case Study: Ineos Hydrocarbons achieves faster, safer sphere inspections with Applus+ HEX rope access solution

Ineos Hydrocarbons completes spherical vessel inspection in 36 days with Applus+

Ineos Hydrocarbons required a statutory ten-year inspection of a massive propylene storage sphere at its Grangemouth refinery. The immense challenge was accessing the interior welds for inspection through a tiny 600mm hatch, a process that had previously taken over a year and required extensive, time-consuming scaffolding. The company engaged its long-term vendor, Applus+, to find a solution that would drastically reduce downtime while maintaining the highest safety and quality standards.

Applus+ designed and implemented an innovative solution using a custom-built, lightweight hexagonal frame that could be assembled inside the sphere. This "Hex Factor" structure allowed inspectors using rope access to safely reach the entire interior surface. The Applus+ team completed the full inspection in just 36 days, enabling Ineos to return the vessel to service rapidly and achieve considerable savings. The project's success served as a powerful case study, leading directly to new business for Applus+ from other impressed petrochemical companies.

Ineos Hydrocarbons