Precipitator projects require an EPC company that can handle large jobs, adhere to tight schedules and work in remote locations. The world's largest alumina refiners have depended on CB&I for years to design and build their precipitators.

We provide structural engineering, procurement, fabrication and construction services for precipitator projects. Over the past several decades, we've successfully executed projects ranging in scope from a single precipitator to as many as 19 units in Australia, Jamaica, South America and other top alumina-producing regions.

Special challenges, shorter schedules. Precipitators are steel vessels used in the production of alumina, the feedstock required in aluminum smelting. They are critical to the refining operation, so plant owners cannot afford construction delays or errors. Precipitator projects often pose special challenges because they are often located in remote areas with little or no infrastructure.

We are known for our ability to deliver precipitator projects on time and within budget, even in the most remote locations. We operate a large global network of engineering, welding, fabrication, procurement and construction resources that can be mobilized to almost any location. When the project is located in an area that lacks sufficient labor or infrastructure, we establish offsite fabrication and assembly yards and arrange for components to be shipped to the installation site.

Innovators in construction. Precipitators are large-often nearly 45 feet in diameter and 100 feet in height-so these projects require extensive expertise in steel plate fabrication, construction and heavy lifts. We have specialized in the fabrication and erection of steel plate structures for more than a century. Over time, we've developed proven standards for design, fabrication, construction and quality assurance that are utilized by our project teams and construction crews around the world. We were the first company to introduce automated girth welding for better, more efficient welding of tank seams, and we have made significant improvements to the process over the years.

Most precipitators are constructed in modules at our fabrication facilities and shipped to the project site. Modular construction allows us to minimize disruption of other activities at the refinery and reduces installation time. Reducing fieldwork also minimizes delays due to inclement weather, enhances safety and quality control, and can also result in lower labor costs.

Safety is always a concern when dealing with large and complex projects. At CB&I, we've developed construction methods that make elevated work safer and more efficient, and we've implemented an award-winning training program that emphasizes safe work practices. As a result, we've executed thousands of projects without a single lost workday or recordable incident, and we've achieved one of the best safety records in the industry.