How Chamco Delivered Reliable Air Compressor Packages for Natural Gas Plant Expansions in Under 12 Weeks

Short Timelines

This client needed each air compressor packaged delivered within a 12-week timeframe, which was challenging given the supply chain issues across the globe. Chamco overcame this issue and avoided delivery times that would be almost double the client’s timeframe by ordering the compressors in anticipation of the upcoming projects.

Competitor Dishonesty

Many of Chamco’s competitors were bidding with 40-horsepower compressors whereas Chamco’s bid included 50-horsepower compressors. The lead engineer initially did not understand why they required 10 horsepower more when the competitors’ bids were all lower. Chamco had to work closely with the client to explain how Chamco sizes the compressors based on site conditions such as elevation and temperature to ensure that the size is appropriate and the plants won’t go down unnecessarily.

Supply Chain Issues

Although Chamco worked proactively to order the compressors ahead of time, there was an issue on the manufacturer’s end with the compressor needed for the 2nd package which delayed the delivery of the compressor to Chamco’s production facility.

Chamco overcame this issue by building the completed air compressor system in such a way that the compressors could fit through the doors of the building. Once the compressors finally arrived a week before the package was due for shipment, Chamco was able to slip the compressors through the doors, bolt them down, and complete the piping. Chamco’s ingenuity kept the project on schedule without any significant delays.

System

Each package included two direct-drive oil-flooded rotary screw air compressors complete with integral electric motor and controller, one modular type twin tower heatless desiccant air dryer with single train filtration, gauges, drains, piping, skid, wet air receiver, dry air receiver, and related accessories. All equipment was mounted on a steel structural skid and enclosed in a self-framing building complete with heating, ventilation, and electrical.

The fully loaded units also included the following value-added components :

• Stainless Steel control tubing and fittings
• CRN aftercooler and oil separator
• Timed solenoid drain valves for pre-filters
• BC & AB P. Eng stamped skid drawings
• BC & AB P. Eng stamped PID and line list
• Skid drip rim
• Spray Foam insulation under skid
• Upgraded building wall and roof insulation
• Upgraded doors/windows
• Pressure transmitter on dry air receiver

Custom-designed

Chamco built each air compressor package based on the client’s requirements and the feedback they received from the field, which meant that there were a few minor differences from the first package to the second package. The second package featured additional ventilation and an electric heater rather than a natural gas heater to make the system more eco-friendly.

One-stop-shop

Many of Chamco’s competitors outsource the design and building of the skid for their compressor systems. However, Chamco does everything from the initial design to the engineering and assembly of the air compressor packages in-house, making Chamco a true one-stop-shop for this client. The client was pleased with Chamco’s ability to complete all aspects of the project because it allowed the inspector to come to a single location to verify the progress of the project.