July 14, 2020 by Justin Vollmer, PE, Director of Quality Control
DBR is pleased to be working with Energy Architecture on BYK’s newest production and research facility in Gonzales, Texas. The new 25,000 square foot laboratory facility will increase the company’s production capabilities and provide new R&D space for key products in the rheology additive portfolio, specifically the GARAMITE product line. These products are specialty chemical additives that bring important benefits to customers around the world and in a wide range of applications. DBR provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire alarm engineering design as well as construction administration services.
The HVAC systems for the building addition consist of two large packaged DX variable air volume rooftop units. Zone level temperature control is achieved via series fan-powered terminal units with electric reheat.
The laboratory spaces are designed with variable air volume systems that maintain precise control over airflow rates and room pressurization by means of pressure independent venturi valves and laboratory airflow controls.
There is a new 1,200-amp electrical service to the building addition, an 80 kW/100 kVA natural gas generator provides emergency power, and LED lighting is designed throughout.
The laboratory spaces are provided with laboratory gas piping system manifolds from centralized canister assemblies of hydrogen, helium, nitrogen, and zero air. A centralized air compressor also provides compressed air to various lab equipment.
The design also consists of a centralized water deionization system including a softener, carbon filter, reverse osmosis treatment, and pump package to deliver deionized water to the lab spaces.
In addition to the new production and research facility, several other major investments were made at the Gonzales site:
- New wastewater treatment plant;
- New evaporator and thermal oxidizer;
- New boilers, air compressors, and centrifuges
In total, BYK has six production sites in the USA. Approximately 150 employees work in Gonzales, TX at the BYK site.