Skid Systems

A skid is a custom manufactured steel frame structure that supports heavy equipment for transportation and storage. Skid systems combine the platform structure of the skid with the equipment and necessary controls, wiring, and piping. Modular skid systems are sturdy, flexible, and inexpensive compared to traditional stick-built skids or concrete skids.

At Stark Compression, formerly Glauber Equipment, we deliver custom skid systems for various applications. Skid systems provide numerous benefits and are an excellent option for industrial facilities. We design and construct our skid systems to meet your needs and expectations, with various components, controls, and design elements to improve safety and efficiency.

What Are Skid Systems?

Skid systems are custom fabricated to meet the client’s specifications and requirements. Our manufacturing team mounts the assembled equipment and any process controls in a single location on the skid. Since our team constructs and installs the skid system off-site, we can prevent costly interruptions in on-site operations. The skid system can be easily transported to the client’s facility or work site. The skid system is pre-assembled and tested to allow operators to quickly and seamlessly start up the equipment without extensive troubleshooting.

What Are the Benefits of Skid Systems?

Skid systems provide several benefits to facilities and operators. The increased elevation of skid systems allows pressure vessels, tanks, and heat exchangers to remain cool and reduces the risk of breakdowns due to increased operating temperatures. They also facilitate quick and effective responses to spills without lifting or moving the equipment, improving workplace safety and preventing damage and chemical corrosion.

Skid systems also provide the following benefits:

• Improved Reliability. Skid systems are well documented and have centralized accountability for the electrical, equipment layout, controls, and installation work. Before they leave the manufacturer, skid systems must pass a factory acceptance test (FAT) to ensure reliable operation.
• Lower Expenses and Time. High-quality pre-built skid systems can cost 25% less than traditional systems and minimize interruptions in a facility’s operations. They offer high reliability and are production-ready without on-site installers and specialists to construct and prepare the equipment for operation.
• Consistent Productivity. Skid systems do not require halting or limiting productivity since they come pre-installed and packaged for quick startup and operation. They also reduce costly maintenance and repair by offering ease-of-access, high-reliability components, and other efficiency features.

Space Efficient. With many facilities requiring minimum use of floor space, the smaller footprint of a skid system is a welcome alternative to much larger equipment setups. Controls, electrical, piping, and equipment are stacked or consolidated on the portable skid system, saving valuable floor space.

Application

Renewable Natural Gas

One of our specialties is creating biogas systems for both digester and landfill gases. With our RNG systems, you are able to condition your gas for on or off-site use, and protect the environment from harmful gases. We are able to supply blowers, compressors, dryers, heat exchangers, and numerous other components used in the RNG process. Each skid is custom fabricated to meet your needs as efficiently as possible. All biogas system components can be designed for hazardous areas, as safety is our number one priority. For complete information about our biogas and landfill gas upgrading systems, visit our partner company’s website here.

Compressed Air

We frequently build compressed air systems for both instrument and service air. We are able to accommodate any flow rate, storage, and pressure requirements. For clean, dry instrument air, twin tower desiccant dryers save energy and allow for continuous operation, or refrigerated air dryers provide a cost-effective, low maintenance solution. All air receivers are ASME Code compliant and can be finished with a variety of interior or exterior coatings.

Pumps

Our pump systems can handle just a few, or thousands of gallons per minute of water, fuel, or caustic chemicals. Each pump, motor, and valve is carefully selected based on your specific application. Our instrumentation and controls ensure that you are alerted to any loss of pressure, and are able to seamlessly redistribute flow to allow for interruption-free maintenance.

Environmental Protection

Many of our systems are subjected to the elements or harsh chemicals. Equipment longevity is one of our top concerns, and our facility can apply special coatings to protect and extend component lifetime. Skids can also be covered by enclosures with ventilation and insulation to provide protection from the elements, as well as dampen noise.

DESIGN

For more than 50 years, Glauber Equipment Corp. (GEC) has been providing high-quality blower, compressor, and pump systems to customers across a wide range of industries. Our Skid Systems division is backed by a talented team of engineers and fabricators with years of experience designing and building custom systems for all types of applications.

In fact, our skilled team can meet the needs of almost any compressed air, gas, or liquid application, including those involving:

• Pump systems
• Compressed air systems
• Gas compression systems
• Landfill gas treatment systems
• Blower/vacuum systems
• Instrument air packages

And no matter what the specific situation, our comprehensive design process allows us to provide a completely tailored, highly reliable solution.

Our Step-by-Step Design Process

Our Skid System design process is unique in that we apply a proven step-by-step process that allows us to work closely with customers throughout the entire manufacturing process, ensuring they’re kept informed and can provide input at any point. This methodology allows for closer collaboration and the incorporation of customer input each step of the way, ensuring that all final products match up to clients’ initial visions.

The first step of the design process involves a client consultation with our engineering team, who will work closely with the customer to fully understand their system requirements and formulate an ideal design.

Through this consultation, our team will determine the required characteristics of the skid we’re creating. First, we’ll establish the overall purpose of the system — what need it will fulfill, and if it will act as a replacement for an existing piece of equipment or serve as a subsystem in a larger project. Glauber’s expert engineers will also pinpoint all necessary operational characteristics, such as specific fluid properties, flow rate, temperature, and pressure. And, lastly, we’ll determine which safety features need to be included in the design, as is often the case when the system will be handling materials that pose hazards, such as natural gas or certain types of chemicals.

Once our engineers have nailed down these basic properties, they’ll move on to determining the exact details of the parts needed to build the system — including the brand, model, or technical specifications of any major equipment to be used, such as:

• Pumps
• Blowers
• Compressors
• Motors
• Heat Exchangers
• Weatherproof Enclosures

With this in mind, our team submits a list of required major equipment for client approval and addresses any input or feedback they may have. Once the customer signs off, we move onto creating the piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID).

Creating a Process Design

When creating a PI&D, we lay out the entire process flow for the system, from skid inlet to outlet. At this point, we establish the specific requirements and features of the skid and identify needed valves, drains, piping sizes, and connection points. In addition to working on skid system design, we also begin implementing the design of the control system, deciding on the locations of control valves and sensors for pressure, temperature, and flow. After designing an original diagram that clearly depicts all necessary information for the skid systems and other equipment, our team will meet with the customer to make sure the design meets all their unique requirements.

Once we get the customer’s approval at this stage, our design team will use the P&ID to make a complete, highly detailed 3D model of the system. This model will allow us to identify specific details, including the precise inlet/outlet locations, overall dimensions, weight, and structural steel base anchor points. We can even run stress/vibration simulations to further analyze the system and ensure optimal performance and reliability.

We then present the customer with skid drawings and 3D model files. These allow the client to see how the system will integrate with existing equipment, and illuminate important details, such as:

• Component materials
• Connection types
• Clearances around major components for maintenance purposes
• Electrical/Control panel locations

With this model in hand, the customer can provide additional input and make any required changes before the actual building process begins.

Only when we have our customer’s approval at each of these steps will we begin construction. By keeping customers involved at every stage of the design process, we can guarantee the final product fits their unique needs. Not only does this ensure optimal system performance and reliability, it also allows for significant cost and time savings, as any errors and inefficiencies are eliminated early on.

Looking for a custom package design for your liquid, air, or gas system needs? Reach out to the team today; our experts are on hand to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have.

BUILD

At our Lancaster, NY location we have a spacious facility complete with overhead cranes, a paint booth, welding equipment and fabrication machinery. Our skid systems bases and structural steel are fabricated in our facility, and we can test equipment up to 400 horsepower on-site, as well as provide pneumatic and flow testing. Our in-house fabrication of non-code pressure vessels, structural bases, platforms/supports, allows for custom components in less time and while saving costs.

We are a U.A. Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 22 pipe fabrication shop and are members of the American Welding Society (AWS) and The Western New York Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors (WNY PMCA). We have in-house Weld Procedure Specifications (WPS) and Qualified Welders for various piping code requirements, including ASME B31.1 Power Piping Code and ASME B31.3 Process Piping Code. Our versatile, experienced welders have qualified procedures for GTAW, GMAW, SMAW, and FCAW welding processes.

Our electricians help to wire everything, including:

• Panels
• Disconnects
• Motors
• Instrumentation/Controls

We welcome Glauber customers to visit our facilities during the build process for:

• Progress Reports
• Hands-on interaction with controls systems and equipment
• Factory Acceptance Testing

CONTROL

Integrating a custom solution, such as packaged system controls, into a process can be complicated and time-consuming, but choosing the right company to partner with can make it much easier. At Glauber, we have the expertise needed to help clients smoothly integrate control systems into their custom skid system designs. For standalone skids, Glauber can provide a turnkey control system that also integrates with your system. Our team of engineers and electricians has years of experience building custom control systems that can be quickly and easily incorporated into existing setups, simplifying the overall integration process. For standalone

Control System Integration

The team at Glauber can create a control solution for any custom skid systems we provide. Whether you require simple customer connection terminal boxes or full automation control panels, our team will construct skid system controls tailored to your unique custom design. We proudly offer a wide range of design services and make use of industry-leading software to ensure optimal performance and reliability; for example, we create electrical schematics using Autodesk-based software, including AutoCAD Electrical and Inventor programs.

With Glauber, you can feel confident throughout the entire process that our team will be there to guide you every step of the way. From drawing generation and panel fabrication to the on-site startup process, our skilled engineers and electricians will work closely with you to create a custom solution that meets your unique needs.

Control System Services

We also offer a range of control system services to enhance the control systems design and integration process. For example, we supply programmable logic controller (PLC)-based controls from nearly all major control equipment manufacturers. We also offer visualization solutions, using a variety of human-machine interfaces to allow for easier control, monitoring, and troubleshooting. We can even integrate control systems into customers’ existing SCADA and DCS systems.

Glauber can provide custom-built panels to provide different protection levels, including those that meet the NEC Article 500 requirements for enclosures in hazardous locations. In addition, our engineers and highly trained service technicians offer on-site commissioning and system startup services as needed.

Learn More

We understand how tricky it can be interfacing between various controls systems, especially when you’re dealing with unusual or complex requirements. But our team will work closely with you throughout every step of the process to ensure the smoothest integration possible.

Reach Out to the team today to learn more about our packaged systems and discuss options for your specific application.

Custom Skid Systems

Skid systems are an efficient solution for cost-effectively installing process equipment without requiring on-site specialists or installers. When you order one of our skid systems, we deliver your equipment with fully operational and tested wiring, equipment layout, and controls. For more information about our custom skid systems, or to get started on your skid system solution, contact us today.