Australian Stainless Steel Development Association

17/03/09 - TFG Austline, an accredited member of Australian Stainless Steel Development Association, was recently entrusted to install a new brewhouse and fermentation cellar for Little Creatures Brewery in Fremantle, Western Australia. Over a five-month period, a team of TFG Austline fabricators and specialised welders installed 25 vessels, five kilometres of stainless steel pipework, heat exchangers and over 3000 fittings and valves into the new brewhouse. According to Tom Moultrie, Austline Manager, the whole project was carried out with the old brewery, bar and restaurant sandwiched between the new brewery and fermentation cellar. Not one hour of trading time was lost during installation. According to Roger Bailey, Little Creatures Project Manager, stainless steel was specified for its corrosion resistance and low maintenance requirements. Stainless steel also provides microbiological stability, ensuring a high level of sanitation and minimal possibility for contamination. Using stainless steel is an innovative way to achieve reusable water in the brewery. Grades 304 and 316 stainless steel were both specified in different applications, depending on the product being carried.

16/03/09 - Australia’s first grain-to-ethanol refinery has begun production in Queensland, with an expected output of more than 80 million litres a year. Seven pressure vessels and five columns were fabricated by Australian Stainless Steel Development Association accredited D&R Stainless from 30 tonnes of grade 304 stainless steel supplied by Australian Stainless Steel Development Association member Sandvik. The column sizes range from an acid reduction column 750mm in diameter and 14.2m long to a beer column 1900mm in diameter and 24m long. The columns were fabricated to tight tolerances set by process design engineers Detla T Technology, United States of America. Kevin Endres, Chief Executive Officer, Dalby Bio-Refinery Limited, has worked with Delta T technnology. According to Endres, stainless was chosen for its durability and a project of this size requires a low maintenance and reliable material. All design and manufacturing was carried out by D&R Stainless to ASME VIII complying with AS1210.D&R Stainless also fabricated 6000m of grade 304 piping in sizes from 20NB to 500NB requiring over 6100 elbows, flanges and fittings from Australian Stainless Steel Development Association member Stainless Pipe & Fittings Australia. All piping was x-ray quality and met ASME B31.3. The refinery can expand to output over 200 million litres of ethanol per year.

13/03/09 - A weld-free installation process has caught the attention of Victoria’s caving community. Parks Victoria and Australian Stainless Steel Development Association member Stainless Tube Mills Fences recently completed a visitor access upgrade for popular tourist sites, the Royal and Fairy Caves. Stainless Tube Mills Fences’ patented assembly process for tubular panels allows for easy installation without the need for welding. According to Dale Calnin, Ranger in charge of Buchan, using this system meant installation was not damaging to the caves’ sensitive environment. The stainless steel balustrading is a well presented modular system and this process would be welcomed by the international caving community. 220m of grade 316 stainless steel handrails and balustrading were installed to provide strong and durable protective barriers. The application consisted of 50.8mm diameter top and bottom rails with 12.7mm diameter spigots, square mesh panels and fabricated stainless cable trays by Duraduct. Double top rails were also installed, using STM Fences’ innovative swivel cones to help with undulations throughout the caves. A fine finish was applied by Stainless Tube Mills and fabricated components pickled and passivated by Duraduct for maximum corrosion resistance. Great caution was taken during installation to protect the caves’ delicate interior.

11/03/09 - Cherry Blossom first appeared as an ice sculpture with spinning cogs in the 2008 Russian Ice Cup. After winning the Mayor’s prize its creator, Melbourne-based artist Benjamin Gilbert, constructed a stainless steel version for Bondi’s “Sculpture by the Sea” exhibition. Australian Stainless Steel Development Association member, Atlas Specialty Metals, sponsored the project, providing 316 stainless to suit the coastal environment. Benjamin Gilbert specified stainless steel for its neutral colour, polishing the surface with stainless wire brushes to allow salts to build up. According to Benjamin Gilbert, shiny stainless finishes are not good and a patina is more realistic and neutralises visual effects from its surroundings. The panels were both TIG and MIG welded, pickled and polished to achieve a buffed silver leaf effect. The work is a combination of Harold Holt mystery and my work with Greenpeace and the Wilderness Society. Cherry Blossom is showing at Canberra’s Corinbank Arts Festival will travel to Europe for Denmark’s version of “Sculpture by the Sea” in May.