When an unexpected fan impeller failure brought production to a halt at Mercer Celgar’s pulp mill in Western Canada, timing was critical.
The fan in question was the customer’s dissolving tank scrubber fan, a vital component of their operation. With production at a standstill during the Christmas holidays, the customer required an emergency replacement rotating assembly—comprising the shaft, hub, impeller, and inlet cone—on an accelerated timeline. Some components of the rotating assembly had to be fabricated from stainless steel to meet the application’s specific requirements.
Understanding the urgency, ProcessBarron’s dedicated team immediately took action to engineer and fabricate the replacement assembly within five days. This around-the-clock effort, which included working through New Year’s Eve, ensured that the customer could quickly resume operations without prolonged downtime.
Every step of the process was executed with precision and speed. Engineering and design teams collaborated seamlessly to confirm specifications and ensure the replacement assembly met the mill’s operational requirements. ProcessBarron's fabrication team then worked tirelessly to manufacture each component, while our quality control and balancing teams verified that the assembly was built to the highest standards of reliability and performance.
Once the assembly passed final inspection, it was carefully packaged and shipped via emergency air freight to Mercer Celgar’s facility. The customer swiftly installed the new rotating assembly, restoring production and minimizing the financial impact of the unexpected outage.
This successful outcome highlights the importance of having a trusted equipment partner capable of responding swiftly in critical situations. The ProcessBarron team’s commitment to delivering quality solutions under pressure exemplifies our promise to help customers "Handle everything better."
About the Author
Ivan Sretenovic is managing Director, Canada, at ProcessBarron
About ProcessBaron
ProcessBarron, founded in 1981, is a leading provider of turnkey solutions specializing in air handling and materials handling equipment. Headquartered in Pelham, Alabama, with a local Canadian office in Toronto, Ontario, the company employs over 250 individuals across North America. ProcessBarron offers a comprehensive range of services, including the design, manufacture, installation, maintenance, and repair of industrial fans, dampers, expansion joints, custom conveyors, rotary feeders, and electrostatic precipitators. Their commitment to quality products, proven experience, and exceptional customer service has established them as a trusted partner in industries such as pulp and paper, power generation, cement and lime, steel, and biomass. In December 2021, ProcessBarron celebrated its 40th anniversary by inaugurating a new 75,000-square-foot facility, doubling their production capacity to meet global demand.
