20 kN Pneumatic Hoisting Winch (Refinery)
20 kN Pneumatic Hoisting Winch (Refinery)
A 20 kN pneumatic hoisting winch built in Yatala for maintenance lifting in a fuel refinery, with spark-free air drive for the explosive atmosphere, an automatic fail-safe brake in the drive train and a manual lever control mounted on the motor.
Refinery Winch Project Overview
A custom-built 20 kN pneumatic hoisting winch for hazardous-area refinery maintenance
A one-off 20 kN pneumatic hoisting winch for maintenance work inside a fuel refinery, where the atmosphere can be explosive and nothing electrical is permitted in the work area. Compressed air was the only acceptable power source, so the winch is driven by an air motor with no electrical components at all. An automatic fail-safe brake in the drive train holds the load the instant air supply is lost, and the operator controls the winch with a manual lever mounted directly on the motor. The winch carries 140 m of rope on a compact blue frame with a yellow guard. Engineered, built and load tested at our Yatala, Queensland workshop.
Key Project Highlights
Exceptional performance, precision and reliability
This 20 kN pneumatic hoisting winch was built for lifting in the hazardous atmosphere of a fuel refinery. Headline specifications:
20 kN
Rated Capacity
140 m
Rope Storage
Oil & Gas
Industry
Fuel Refinery
Application
Design & Manufacturing Considerations
Built for durability and efficiency in demanding environments
Specified for a classified explosive atmosphere and assembled in-house at Yatala. Key design considerations:
Heavy-Duty
Steel Frame
Material Choice
Pneumatic
Spark-free
Power System
20 kN
Rated Line Pull
Drive System
Failsafe
Auto brake
Control / Brake
Operational & Technical Breakdown
An in-depth look at the 20 kN pneumatic hoisting winch's performance and technical capabilities
The winch is a fabricated steel frame carrying a grooved drum for 140 m of rope at 20 kN, a gearbox and a pneumatic motor, with a yellow drum guard and mounting holes for a fixed base. Every component in the drive is mechanical or air-operated; there is no motor winding, switch or sensor that could act as an ignition source, which is what allows the winch into the refinery work zone.
Hoisting in a hazardous area needs a brake that does not depend on the operator. A spring-applied brake in the drive train is held off by air pressure while the winch runs and clamps automatically whenever the air supply drops, so the load is held through any loss of air. The manual lever on the motor gives direct proportional control of speed and direction, and the winch was load tested at Yatala to hoisting standards before delivery.
Other Winch Applications
Versatile winching solutions across multiple industries.
Beyond petroleum, pneumatic hoisting winches suit chemical plants, gassy mines and paint and solvent facilities where electrical equipment is excluded.
Hoisting in gassy underground workings and explosive-dust areas of processing plants – air-driven winches with no electrical ignition source.
Lifting in gas plants, digesters and chemical dosing rooms at water and energy utilities – pneumatic winches with automatic fail-safe brakes.
Project Conclusion
The 20 kN pneumatic hoisting winch gives refinery maintenance crews a certified lift with no electrical ignition risk and a brake that fails safe. Designed, built and tested in Yatala by Australian Certified Winches.
Like every winch we build, it was designed to AS 1418, the Australian Standard for cranes, hoists and winches, and signed off by our RPEQ-registered engineers before load testing in Yatala.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about pneumatic winches for hazardous areas.
Why is a pneumatic winch used in a refinery?
Parts of a fuel refinery are classified explosive atmospheres where electrical equipment is not permitted. A pneumatic winch runs on compressed air with no electrical parts, so it can work in those zones without creating an ignition source.
What happens if the air supply fails during a lift?
The spring-applied brake in the drive train is held off by air pressure while the winch runs. If the supply drops, the spring clamps the brake automatically and the load is held without any operator action.
How is the winch controlled?
A manual lever mounted on the air motor gives direct, proportional control of speed and direction. There is no electrical control circuit, which keeps the whole machine free of ignition sources.
What air supply does the winch need?
The winch was matched to the refinery’s plant air pressure and flow, with the motor and brake sized for that supply. ACW can specify the motor for other air systems and fit filtration and lubrication units if required.
Is the winch certified for lifting?
Yes. It was designed and load tested to AS 1418 at Yatala as a hoisting winch and delivered with test certificates and RPEQ sign-off for the refinery’s lifting equipment register.
Lifting in a Hazardous Area?
Tell us the load, the lift and the zone rating of the area. Our RPEQ engineers will size a certified pneumatic hoisting winch for it.