Case Study
Cordite Factory Aravankadu
Sunbio 2019
Aravankadu, Ooty
Overview
Cordite Factory, Aruvankadu is located in the hilly region of Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu was established in the year 1904. The factory is well connected by road (Coimbatore which is about 85 KM) and rail (Mettupalayam- 35 KM). CFA possessed the necessary advantages of good climatic condition suitable for propellant manufacture, own reservoir for water supply, and Madras Regimental Centre which is located about 5 KM for the security.
CFA is the pioneer in the manufacture of quality propellants for different type of Ammunitions including 105mm, 120mm, 130mm, 155mm, Propellant for naval ammunition and small arms. The latest addition of Triple Base propellant Bi modular Charges for 155mm Ammunition is great achievement of CFA..
The CFA has had explosions and deaths due to accidents in the past. The project was aimed to help optimize the process through automation and help monitor each process real-time. This would ensure that workers had sufficient warning.
Approach
The safety is of paramount importance. The proposed system will mitigate the existing risks. The proposed will not introduce any new risk into the system.
The system is built in such a way that it has a backup or always on (High Availability)feature. All existing manual risk controls will be in existence. The shop floor person can override the proposed system at any given time.
Even if the entire system is down the existing system will work in by pass mode. The proposed system makes use of existing risk controls and also enhances more controls. We will take the phased approach to mitigate the risks. For example we may start with key sensors like temperature controls, value opening measures, gas sensors, flow of fluids will be taken up in phase 1. In Phase 2 after studying and observing the system thoroughly mechanical changes to the existing mechanical devices will be suggested.