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Interior views of the slaughterhouse
Omega Engineering Company, based in Riyadh, has played a key role in the execution of the world's largest slaughterhouse in Mina. The project was also the largest refrigeration job in the world, according to general manager Asad Nicola Qahoush.
Omega's scope of work involved the design, supply, installation and operation of the central industrial refrigeration plant, a key element of the slaughterhouse.
The aim of the project was to provide a modern facility in Mina for the slaughtering and efficient and hygienic processing of more than 400,000 sheep during the yearly Haj season (three days), including chilling and freezing of meat.
The project, for the Ministry of Public Works and Housing was completed within just four months (project period eight months including design, manufacturing and installation) in time for the Haj. The consultant was Saudconsult and the main contractor was Al Owaidah Contracting Company.
The four slaughterhouse refrigerated facilities include:
"Each slaughterhouse is equipped with one central machine room for low as well high temperatures. The low temperature system (-35 deg C) serves the freezers and the coldstore rooms. The high temperature system (0 deg C) cools the processing areas, corridors and chilled rooms,'' Qahoush says. "Each refrigeration engine room (total of four) has the following items: Eight screw compressor packages (Grasso-Holland) - seven 800 kW motors 4.16 kV and one 450 kW motor 380 V; five evaporative condensers; various low and medium temperature vessels and pumps sets; 204 special design unit coolers; electrical starters and control panels; and a network of ammonia piping (up to 18 inch diameter). Each unit is operated and controlled by programmable logic control (PLC) system including data monitoring and logging system.''
The project uses 260 tonnes of refrigeration (refrigerant R-22), being the largest of its kind in the world - a typical large refrigeration project uses some 10 tonnes only, Qahoush points out.
Since it was on a fast-track, the contractor and subcontractors faced many challenges. ''There were many difficulties especially since all subcontractors were working at full capacity simultaneously and in the same area, and they were all under the same pressure," says Qahoush. ''The mobilisation of our huge machines and pipes to the site was very difficult due to site access problems.''
The total number of people working on site reached more than 3,000 during its peak, of which 1,200 were Omega workers.
Omega chairman Harb S Al Zuhair was personally involved with managing the project on site and spent a substantial time and effort in ensuring the project's completion within the time-frame, he says.
"The unique project was to be completed before March 15 (Haj date) and there was absolutely no chance for time extension. The project was ready well in advance of that date on February 25, 2000," says Qahoush.
