Established in 1977, Contract Chemicals has grown significantly over the years to become a leading international supplier of fine and speciality chemicals. This success has been achieved through a commitment to continuously improving competitiveness, and by working to the highest levels of accreditation for quality, health and safety, environment and management systems.
Based in Knowsley, which is near Liverpool, the company is a BS EN ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 accredited independent manufacturer of fine organic chemicals. Key product markets include agrochemical, pharmaceutical, photographic, flavour and fragrances, all of which are highly regulated industries, characterised by a requirement for consistency and quality.
Products from their extensive range can be found in everything from market-leading antibiotics and anti-hypertension drugs, through to photographic paper and salt and vinegar potato crisps. 65% of the company's sales each year consist of exports to markets including Eire, France, Germany, Italy, India, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Switzerland and the USA.
Harry is tasked with ensuring that Contract Chemicals' extensive array of reactors, distillation systems, drying facilities and product handling systems are all maintained correctly and operate at optimum efficiency. As with so many industries today, poor product quality or delayed delivery is simply unacceptable.
To help achieve this, Harry uses ultrasound to routinely scan for faults on lined process pipes, which lead to and from reactors. On one occasion, Harry was able to highlight a breakdown of the lining leading to minute ingress leaks. He has also been able to detect chips and cracks in glassware, as well as pinholes in stainless steel pipework.
Using the Ultraprobe 2000, which is ATEX Approved, Harry has also improved vacuum on process reactors to such an extent that the process vacuum can be pulled down to 3 millibar. As a result of this, product quality and yield has improved, while turnaround time has been reduced.
The Ultraprobe is also routinely used on-site for many other leak detection tasks, particular on nitrogen and air lines around the process plant. Having successfully completed our Level 1 Ultrasound Course, Harry is planning to further utilise the Ultraprobe for even more applications.
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