Installation of Onsite Gas Facilities – Armultra

Company Information

Armultra Ltd has been providing engineering solutions from its facility in Great Yarmouth since 1985. The company’s capabilities have grown substantially over the last 20 years since the relocation to a purpose built facility in 2001. The current facility occupies 180,000 square ft with dedicated mild steel and exotic metals workshops including goods inwards and pressure testing areas and offsite storage facilities. The company also has a 12m training tower for Rope access, working at height and Global Wind Organisation (GWO) training. This is supported by one of the largest archive of Welding Procedure Qualification Records(WPQR) in the UK, making us the engineering service provider of choice.

Project Overview

Armultra Ltd currently uses free-standing gas bottles within its fabrication workshops. The company is considering whether installing onsite gas facilities with fixed gas lines leading directly into three fabrication workshops would be a more effective solution.

This project will investigate the technical, safety, layout, and cost implications of moving from free-standing gas bottles to fixed gas lines. The work will support decision-making by providing evidence-based findings, design ideas, and a clear presentation of advantages and disadvantages.

Project Aim

To research, analyse, and propose options for installing onsite gas facilities and gas lines into Armultra’s fabrication workshops, including potential workshop layout improvements, while considering cost, safety, and operational impact.

Key Research Questions

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of installing fixed gas lines compared with using free-standing gas bottles?

• What safety requirements and regulations must be considered when storing and supplying gas onsite?

• How might workshop layouts need to change to enable a fixed gas line installation?

• What are the likely cost implications of installing onsite gas facilities?

• How do staff who work in the workshops view the potential change?

What You Will Do

• Carry out research into onsite gas supply systems and safety considerations

• Gather information to support costings for installing gas lines

• Identify positive and negative impacts of undertaking the change

• Collect feedback from workshop staff

• Investigate safety requirements

• Produce CAD drawings showing possible layouts

• Visit local site work and spend time in the workshop where possible

Science, Engineering and Technical Understanding

This project involves applied science and engineering through understanding gas supply systems, safety and risk, and making evidence-based design decisions.

Planning and Organisation

Students will create a clear project plan, manage time effectively, and document challenges and solutions.

Skills Developed

• Research and data analysis

• Problem solving

• Microsoft Office

• Self-Motivation

• CAD and technical drawing

• Communication skills

• Independent working

Final Outputs

• Written report