Is this kind of lifting acceptable?

Bro, is this the lifting operation of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger in a petrochemical plant? Let me share my thoughts: The built-in lifting lugs on the equipment are being used at the moment, and that’s fine, but it’s necessary to ensure that the rated lifting capacity of these lugs matches the total weight of the equipment. Additionally, the angle of the steel cables should be kept within a reasonable range to prevent excessive stress from damaging the lifting points and the cables themselves ； When lifting such pressure vessels, it is essential to keep the equipment level; otherwise, the flange sealing surfaces can be easily damaged, and the internal tube bundles may even shift ； For on-site lifting operations, it is necessary to obtain a lifting permit in accordance with regulations, assign a dedicated supervisor, set up warning zones, and prevent unauthorized personnel from approaching. Specifically, it is necessary to check in accordance with the safety operating procedures for petrochemical lifting; it’s best to have a certified professional crane operator verify it as well – safety first.

After observing this lifting operation for petrochemical maintenance, I think there are several points that need attention: It’s a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, and it’s not proper to use lifting rigging directly on the flanges and the shell; it’s better to use the specialized lifting lugs provided by the manufacturer. Otherwise, the flange sealing surfaces may be damaged, and the equipment could also suffer from stress-induced deformation； The safety precautions at the site were not properly implemented; the workers were too close to the lifting area. A sufficient safety distance must be maintained during lifting operations to prevent injuries in case of emergencies ； For lifting such special equipment, a specific lifting plan is necessary; in addition, the load-bearing capacity of the rigging and lifting points must be checked in advance – it is not possible to proceed based solely on experience. After all, it’s a petrochemical site where safety cannot be taken lightly; it’s best to have the professional crane operators on site check things again to ensure everything is secure.

Indeed, lifting operations in the petrochemical industry allow no room for carelessness. A few additional tips: Before lifting such large equipment, it is essential to check the strength of the equipment itself, especially since older equipment may be prone to corrosion and thinning. The lifting angle is also crucial; the tilt angle shown in the picture can easily cause the equipment’s center of gravity to shift. It is recommended to keep this angle within 30 degrees. Protective pads should be installed at the flange connections to prevent the steel cables from directly rubbing and damaging the sealing surfaces. We encountered a similar situation during our last maintenance task, and we had to conduct lifting simulations first before proceeding with the actual lifting operation. Safety is no trivial matter!