Trafficable Access Hatches for Underground Biomass Silos – Project Reference.
The project presented here demonstrates MAXIMUS FAB’s manufacturing capabilities in producing steel and mechanical components for biomass boiler installations.
The scope included, among other items, trafficable access hatches for underground biomass silos and scraper conveyors designed for transporting wood chips.
The components were manufactured according to the customer’s engineering documentation and designed for integration into a specific industrial installation.
The trafficable access hatch closes a technological opening located above an underground biomass fuel silo.
The structure must fulfil several functions simultaneously:
- provide adequate structural stiffness,
- withstand the loads specified in the project,
- provide secure closure of the silo,
- allow access to the underground space,
- interface correctly with the concrete silo structure,
- withstand outdoor exposure and operating conditions.
An important part of this project was the manufacture of the hatches with a hot-dip galvanized finish, providing corrosion protection for the steel structure.
How Is a Trafficable Access Hatch Manufactured?
The manufacturing process begins with technical documentation defining the dimensions, load-bearing structure, support arrangement, mounting points and load requirements.
1. Manufacturing Documentation
The customer’s documentation is reviewed to define the manufacturing scope and production method.
The documentation may specify:
- overall dimensions,
- structural geometry,
- load-bearing elements,
- welded joints,
- hinges and locking components,
- support arrangement,
- manufacturing tolerances,
- corrosion protection requirements.
2. Steel Component Preparation
Individual structural components are prepared according to the manufacturing documentation.
Depending on the project, this may include cutting plates and profiles, preparing holes, cutting individual components to size and preparing edges and surfaces for welding.
3. Assembly and Welding
The prepared components are assembled according to the engineering documentation.
The structure is then welded to form a rigid access hatch.
Maintaining the required geometry is particularly important because the finished hatch must correctly interface with the frame installed in the silo structure.
4. Dimensional Inspection
After fabrication, the structure can undergo dimensional and geometric inspection.
Depending on the project requirements, this may include checking:
- overall dimensions,
- diagonals,
- flatness,
- mounting points,
- hinge positions,
- component alignment.
This is particularly important for large fabricated structures that must fit precisely into a prepared technological opening.
5. Preparation for Galvanizing
After fabrication and inspection, the structure is prepared for corrosion protection.
The hatches presented in this project were finished by hot-dip galvanizing.
The design and fabrication of a steel structure intended for hot-dip galvanizing must take the galvanizing process into account from the manufacturing stage. Appropriate construction details, venting and drainage openings and surface preparation are important for achieving a proper galvanized coating.
6. Hot-Dip Galvanizing
The fabricated steel structure is immersed in molten zinc, creating a metallurgically bonded zinc coating on the steel surface.
This corrosion protection makes the hatches suitable for outdoor installation where they are exposed to moisture and changing weather conditions.
7. Delivery of the Finished Component
Following corrosion protection, the completed hatches can be delivered to the customer for installation at the project site.
Manufacturing According to Customer Documentation
This project is an example of a cooperation model in which MAXIMUS FAB acts as a manufacturing partner, producing components designed for a specific installation.
We can work from:
- 2D drawings,
- 3D models,
- manufacturing drawings,
- assembly drawings,
- material specifications,
- surface treatment requirements,
- project-specific manufacturing requirements.
Depending on the project, the scope can include material preparation, fabrication, welding, assembly, dimensional inspection and preparation for surface treatment.
A Reference of Manufacturing Capabilities
The trafficable access hatches and scraper conveyors presented in this project demonstrate MAXIMUS FAB’s capabilities in manufacturing custom components for industrial biomass installations.
They are not catalogue products. They were manufactured as components of a specific installation, according to the customer’s engineering documentation and technical requirements.
Hot-dip galvanized trafficable access hatches manufactured for a biomass boiler installation.
Manufacturing Partner for the Biomass Industry
Experience gained from projects of this type can be applied to the manufacturing of other components for industrial biomass installations.
MAXIMUS FAB can cooperate with:
- biomass boiler manufacturers,
- fuel-feeding system manufacturers,
- system integrators,
- EPC contractors,
- engineering companies,
- industrial general contractors.
The cooperation can cover individual fabricated structures, mechanical assemblies or a broader manufacturing scope for a specific project.
Do You Have a Similar Project?
If you have technical documentation for biomass equipment and are looking for a manufacturing partner, MAXIMUS FAB can execute the agreed manufacturing scope according to your documentation.
2D Drawings | 3D Models | Welded Structures | Mechanical Assemblies | Hot-Dip Galvanizing | OEM Manufacturing
Contact us to discuss your manufacturing requirements.
