Servomex’s FAT procedures ensure its systems meets key specifications prior to dispatch, as well as allowing the customer to set their own requirements for optimal performance tailored to individual processes.
Pre-pandemic, FAT tests were carried out in person, at regional centres in collaboration with a customer’s own employees. However, with global travel restrictions in place, Servomex is offering this crucial service virtually to all its customers.
Thailand-based company, MAP TA Phut Olefins Co. Ltd, through TechnipFMC, purchased a new Servomex gas analysis solution for safe control and operation of its cracking furnaces. It selected three SERVOTOUGH Laser 3 Plus Combustion analysers, configured for dual measurement of carbon monoxide and methane, along with purge panel systems.
Travel restrictions and safety precautions limited how pre-delivery testing could be carried out. To ensure the system was installed and operated correctly on delivery, the customer required an alternative, flexible way to carry out the FAT and pre-FAT service.
Servomex established a virtual factory acceptance test procedure using Microsoft Teams and a webcam used to show the customer the analysers and the tests as they were carried out. Documents were reviewed either via screen-sharing or by being sent to the customer in advance.
Matt Hollis, undergraduate applications and support engineer was involved in the project, supported by application manager Karen Gargallo and system engineering manager Ladislav Kuzma. Hollis said: “The FAT was completed successfully, and the customer signed off the paperwork a few days later. The system and analysers have now been delivered to the customer. The process always gives the customer the chance to ask questions about the analyser – such as its operation and maintenance – and, as we anticipated, there were more questions than usual due to the virtual conditions of the FAT. We expect this kind of virtual FAT to become much more common in the future.”