Pharmaceutical Industry Vessels

Our pharmaceutical manufacturing customers are regulated and held to extreme standards, which we incorporate into every pharmaceutical stainless steel vessel we fabricate. From precise quality control to documentation requirements, we are committed to help pharmaceutical processors with their production goals.

We manufacture our own components including dimple sheet exchange surfaces, man-ways, flanged and dished heads, ladders, platforms, support structures and other vessel internals. We also fabricate tanks with half or third pipe jacket.

Apache offers in-house mechanical and robotic polishing, passivation, electropolishing, riboflavin testing and saline testing.

We can handle single or multiple tank projects ranging in size from small process tanks to large storage tanks in material thicknesses from gauge to 1/2".

 

Sanitary ASME Stainless Vessel Capabilities from Apache Stainless

 

What type of materials does Apache have experience with?

In Apache's Beaver Dam facility, we work with 300 grade stainless materials, predominantly 304/L and 316/L. We also work with high alloy materials such as AL6XN, duplex 2304, 2205 and 2507, Inconel and Hastelloy.

What certifications does Apache uphold?

NB/ASME U Certificate for Beaver Dam, WI

NB/ASME UM Certificate for Beaver Dam, WI

CE Marking Permission for Beaver Dam, WI

R Repair Certificate National Board of Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspectors, Beaver Dam, WI

SELO License for Beaver Dam, WI

What types of heat transfer surfaces are available?

Dimple jacket, half-pipe, conventional jacket, electrical heat tracing.

What size heads can you fabricate?

We can fabricate Heads, anywhere from 30” (2’6”) to 192” (16’) Diameter, with the thickness being 12 ga. to ¾” Stainless and up to 7/8” Carbon.

What types of heads does Apache offer?

ASME F&D, F&D, Shallow F&D, Flat, Cone, Sloped, Hemi, Elliptical

What types of testing does Apache offer?

Liquid Dye Pentrant testing, hydrostatic testing, sprayball Riboflavin testing, pharmaceuticial drain testing, surface finish testing, PMI (Positive Material Identification), and radiography (at an additional cost).

What types of fittings are offered?

Depending on the application, we provide ANSI B16.5 150#, 300#, etc. RFWN, RFSO and Lap Joint flanges, studding outlet (pad) flanges for standard ASME applications. For sanitary applications we also provide tri-clamp ferrules, tank bottom diaphragm valves such as ASEPCO, GEMU, PBM, NOVASEPTIC, etc.

What finishes are available?

Mill, 2B, No. 4, No. 4A, Bead Blast, Passivation, Pickle Passivation and electropolishing

What is your tank weight capacity?

The weight limitation is dependent on the tank/vessel configuration, typically we want to keep the vessel below 70,000 lbs. We have built tanks weighing 250,000 lbs., but special consideration with outside riggers was required.

How wide of a tank can Apache build?

15 ft. diameter is the maximum typically.

What types of outlet valves are available?

Ball valves, diaphragm valves and gate valves. Some offer manual or pneumatic actuation options.

Who will coordinate my project?

A project engineer will coordinate communications, schedules and questions. There will also be a technical specialist that works on your project.

When does a tank need to be ASME Code stamped?

ASME Code is generally required on tanks above 15 psig or vacuum applications.

What types of insulation does Apache offer?

Mineral wool in various densities and foam glass. We can take a look at other insulation requirements that you may have.

What is a wetted surface?

A wetted surface is a product contact surface or interior surface. It includes area in nozzles up to the gaskets.

What types of FAT testing does Apache offer?

Hydro, Riboflavin, dye penetrant, saline, drain ability, radiography, agitation run testing

How do you keep customers abreast of the schedule?

On larger projects, updates to the schedule are communicated upon drawing approval submission, then once per month, after project changes or per customer requirements.

Does Apache manufacture their own agitators?

We work with leading agitator manufacturers and we also have made custom agitators for special applications.

When do I use tri-clamp versus bolted connections?

Use tri-clamp connections for sanitary and quick connection applications.