In a refinery, lifting equipment is often needed for maintenance rather than daily production. Pumps, motors, valves, compressors, and other process equipment may need to be removed, repaired, or replaced at different locations and elevations. When these lifting points are located in hazardous areas, a standard electric hoist may not be suitable.
The lifting equipment needs to provide the required capacity and lifting height while also meeting the explosion protection requirements of the working environment.
This was the requirement behind a recent project for an Indian refinery. The customer purchased four explosion-proof wire rope hoists from Yuantai Crane for refinery equipment maintenance. The order included two 5-ton hoists with 24 m lifting height and two 5-ton hoists with 30 m lifting height.
For us, this was a typical example of how the right hoist configuration starts with the customer’s working conditions rather than simply selecting a standard model.
A Refinery Maintenance Project with Explosion-Proof Hoists
The customer is an oil refining company in India that needed dedicated lifting equipment to support maintenance work around refinery equipment. In this type of facility, maintenance activities can take place around process units, pumps, pipelines, tanks, and other equipment where flammable gases or vapors may be present.
The customer therefore required explosion-proof wire rope hoists instead of conventional electric hoists.
Yuantai Crane supplied four units with the following configuration:
| Item | Specification |
| Quantity | 4 units |
| Lifting Capacity | 5 tons |
| Lifting Height | 24 m × 2 units; 30 m × 2 units |
| Lifting Speed | 8 m/min |
| Traveling Speed | 20 m/min |
| Duty Class | M3 |
| Explosion Protection | Ex db IIC T4 Gb |
| Protection Grade | IP55 |
| Insulation Class | F |
| Control | Remote control |
| Power Supply | 415V / 50Hz / 3-phase |
Designed for Refinery Equipment Maintenance
The purpose of these hoists was straightforward: to provide reliable lifting support when refinery equipment needs to be inspected, removed, repaired, or replaced.
A refinery contains a large number of pumps, motors, valves, gearboxes, compressors, and other process equipment. Many of these components are too heavy to handle manually, and some are installed at considerable heights or within areas with limited access.
Ex db IIC T4 Gb Explosion Protection
The four hoists were supplied with Ex db IIC T4 Gb explosion protection for the customer’s refinery application. The exact explosion-proof specification should always be selected according to the hazardous-area classification and project requirements.
Different Lifting Heights for Different Work Areas
The project included two 5-ton hoists with 24 m lifting height and two with 30 m. This customized configuration allowed the equipment to meet different lifting elevations within the refinery.
Practical Speeds for Maintenance Work
With an 8 m/min lifting speed and 20 m/min traveling speed, the electric hoists provide controlled and practical movement for lifting and positioning maintenance equipment.
Remote Control and Electrical Configuration
The Ex wire rope hoists were equipped with remote control and designed for the customer’s 415V / 50Hz / 3-phase power supply, with IP55 protection and Class F insulation.
Where Else Can Explosion-Proof Hoists Be Used?
The same type of lifting requirement can be found in many industries where flammable gases, vapors, or combustible materials may be present. Depending on the hazardous-area classification, load, lifting height, and installation conditions, explosion-proof lifting equipment can support different maintenance and material-handling tasks.
Oil & Gas and Refineries
Refineries, oil terminals, tank farms, and gas processing facilities often need lifting equipment for pumps, motors, valves, compressors, and other process equipment. Explosion-proof wire rope hoists can be installed on monorails, overhead structures, or other supporting systems for equipment maintenance in hazardous areas.
Petrochemical Plants
Petrochemical production involves a wide range of process equipment and flammable materials. Hoists may be required for equipment installation, removal, inspection, and maintenance. Depending on the load and working conditions, customers can choose from explosion-proof wire rope hoists, explosion-proof chain hoists, jib cranes, or complete overhead crane systems.
Chemical and Specialty Chemical Plants
Chemical plants often have different hazardous areas and equipment layouts within the same facility. Explosion-proof lifting equipment can be used around reactors, pumps, motors, storage systems, and other process equipment where conventional electrical lifting equipment may not meet the project requirements.
Gas, Fuel and Storage Facilities
Gas processing plants, LPG facilities, fuel terminals, and storage areas may require compact lifting equipment for maintenance and handling work. For lighter loads or limited installation space, an explosion-proof electric chain hoist may be a better choice. For higher lifting heights or heavier loads, an explosion-proof wire rope hoist or complete explosion proof crane system may be more suitable.
More Explosion-Proof Lifting Equipment for Different Applications
Not every hazardous-area lifting application requires the same type of equipment. Yuantai Crane can provide different explosion-proof lifting solutions and customize the configuration according to the customer’s actual working conditions.
| Equipment | Typical Applications | Suitable When |
| Explosion-Proof Wire Rope Hoist | Refinery, petrochemical, chemical and oil & gas equipment maintenance | Higher lifting heights, heavier loads, longer travel distances |
| Explosion-Proof Electric Chain Hoist | Pump, motor, valve and light equipment maintenance | Compact installation space and relatively lighter loads |
| Explosion-Proof Overhead Crane | Refinery workshops, process plants and maintenance areas | Loads need to be lifted and moved across a larger working area |
| Explosion-Proof Gantry Crane | Outdoor maintenance areas, storage yards and industrial facilities | A freestanding lifting structure is required |
| Explosion-Proof Jib Crane | Localized equipment maintenance and material handling | Loads are concentrated around a specific workstation |
| Explosion-Proof Crane Kit | New crane installations or local fabrication projects | Customers want key crane components while fabricating the main structure locally |
For customers who are not sure which type of equipment is most suitable, we can compare different options based on the actual working conditions. Feel free to contact us to get a suitable hoist/crane solution.
Need an Explosion-Proof Hoist for Your Plant?
If you are planning equipment maintenance or a new lifting system for a refinery, petrochemical plant, chemical factory, oil & gas facility, or other hazardous-area application, send us the basic project requirements and application details.
- Crane/Hoist Type
- Lifting capacity
- Lifting height
- Span
- Traveling distance
- Lifting and traveling speeds
- Duty class
- Hazardous-area classification
- Explosion protection requirements
- Power supply
- Control method
- Installation conditions
If available, you can also share a layout drawing, equipment photo, existing monorail information, or crane arrangement. Yuantai Crane will help you find a practical explosion-proof lifting solution for your project.
