Oil and gas refinery laboratories manage the testing of crude oil, gases & fuels, petrochemicals, and a variety of other petroleum industry products/materials. Due to the highly flammable nature of petroleum products, refinery labs must be designed with the utmost caution and care.
Oil and gas refinery lab design can be an extremely complex and challenging process, especially when tackling the task for the first time.
As a laboratory design and construction firm, we have been designing, building, and installing quality laboratory furniture and equipment for more than a decade. In the process of our work, we have encountered and partnered with laboratories in virtually every industry, and have gathered an immense wealth of knowledge and experience.
From the first concept renderings to the final installation of the lab furniture, our team works closely with our clients to develop ideal solutions to unique design challenges.
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Choosing an Oil & Gas Refinery Lab: What to Look For
The needs of every laboratory vary based on the nature of the work being performed within the facility, and for refinery labs, petroleum products dictate the needs of the facility. Crude oil, gasses, and other petroleum products produce toxic fumes, are extremely flammable, are prone to chemical reactions, and can be harmful to human health and the environment.
In order to promote the safe handling and storage of petroleum products and hazardous materials, careful attention should be paid to finding a facility with adequate safety features.
Sufficient Ventilation & Existing HVAV System
The work done in refinery labs must often be performed within a fume hood in order to prevent the accumulation of toxic fumes within the laboratory work area. To accommodate the necessary ventilation equipment, the facility you choose to house your oil and gas refinery should already have an existing and functioning HVAC system.
Should any fumes escape the fume hoods or be produced in the course of testing, the facility should also have adequate ventilation that both removes toxins from the air and filters them out to prevent polluting the surrounding environment. The facility’s ventilation and HVAC system should also be able to readily heat and cool the facility environment since high-temperatures are likely to be produced in the course of testing.
Refinery Lab Furniture
Just like when choosing an appropriate facility, the process of choosing oil and gas lab furniture must include environmental considerations. Refinery lab furniture should be made with heat, oil, and chemical resistant materials should be made to be resistant to water and moisture, and should be equipped with special ventilation, electrical, and plumbing features.
At OnePointe Solutions, we specialize in creating custom lab furniture tailored to the specific needs of your facility.
Fume Hoods
To manage the flow of toxic fumes, fume hoods should be used throughout the course of testing and research in gas and oil laboratories. Petroleum products often produce vapors, fumes, and droplets that, when inhaled, can be harmful to human health and wellness.
Regular inhalation or exposure to oil and gas vapors may result in respiratory irritation, nausea, headaches, vomiting, and more.
OnePointe Solutions offers a range of fume hoods to aid in the safe handling of gas and oil products and materials. We offer:
- General Chemistry Hoods
- Biosafety Cabinets
- Educational Demonstration Hoods
- Ductless/Filtered Hoods
- Floor-Mounted Hoods
- PVC and Stainless Hoods
- Steam, Heat, and Light Vapor Hoods
- Ventilated Mass Spec Enclosures
- Ventilated Casework and Refrigeration Units
Lab Sinks
Sufficient plumbing and access to water are also important for the successful running of oil and gas refinery laboratories. Ample access to water can help prevent burns, aid in case of emergencies, help to maintain facility cleanliness, and so on.
Our lab sinks can be designed around your facility’s existing plumbing system and with the hazardous nature of your work in mind. Our lab workstations can be specially designed with custom cutouts for waste chutes and drop-in sinks, which can be any size, shape, or configuration you require.
Appropriate Surface Materials
When you choose laboratory furniture, you will need to be sure you select work surface materials that are appropriate for the nature of your work. In oil and gas refinery labs, lab countertops must be resistant to oil and gas, durable under high heat, and resistant to chemical corrosion.
At OnePointe Solutions, we offer a variety of surface material options and can help you to choose the most appropriate option for your laboratory. Some of the surface materials that are well suited for use in gas and oil refinery labs include:
- Phenolic Resin
- Epoxy Resin
- Stainless Steel
Custom Design
When you choose OnePointe Solutions to handle the design of your lab furniture, we’ll kick the process off by visiting your facility anywhere in the United States. Once in your facility, we’ll explore with your team to discover the unique needs of your space and discuss all your options and preferences, and help you choose the right casework, benches, and equipment.
Within three days, you will receive custom 3D renderings with completed design ideas for your review and approval.
Once you settle on a design you love, we’ll get to work manufacturing your lab furniture at our facility right here in the U.S. Finally, we install your furniture to ensure the job is done right, and so you never have to worry about trying to explain your design to a third party company.
Designing an Oil & Gas Lab?
The lab design experts at OnePointe Solutions can draft up your perfect space and supply custom manufactured furniture for your work. Call us at (866) 612-7312 to get started.