Vessel Cleaning Services for the Aluminum Industry
Restoring Material Flow, Reducing Downtime and Protecting Production. Efficient material handling is essential throughout every stage of aluminum production. Buildup and blockages in silos, bins, hoppers, and process vessels can restrict material flow, reduce storage capacity, disrupt production schedules, and increase maintenance costs.
Restoring Material Flow, Reducing Downtime and Protecting Production
Efficient material handling is essential throughout every stage of aluminum production. Buildup and blockages in silos, bins, hoppers, and process vessels can restrict material flow, reduce storage capacity, disrupt production schedules, and increase maintenance costs.
Mole·Master® provides proven non-human-entry cleaning solutions that safely remove hardened material buildup while restoring storage vessels to peak operating performance. Proprietary remote-operated cleaning systems eliminate the need for confined space entry whenever possible, significantly reducing risk while minimizing operational downtime.
Extensive experience working in aluminum production facilities allows Mole·Master® to safely clean storage vessels containing alumina, petroleum coke, lime, cryolite, fluoride compounds, carbon materials, and other process materials. Every cleaning solution is tailored to each specific vessel, material characteristics, and operational requirements of the facility.
Experienced technicians respond to planned maintenance outages, emergency blockages, and complex material flow challenges with proven equipment and engineered cleaning methods designed to restore production safely and efficiently.
Remote-operated from the silo roof: no technician ever enters.
All equipment controlled remotely from the silo roof.
The Big·Mole system is operated entirely from outside the vessel. No technician enters the silo at any point during the cleaning process, eliminating confined-space exposure for the crew and eliminating the human ignition risk inside an explosive dust environment.
100% non-sparking tooling. Alumina-rated throughout.
Every tool in contact with the vessel interior is non-sparking and rated for explosive dust environments. Alumina dust’s minimum ignition energy is low enough that standard steel tools are categorically excluded. Mole·Master® accepts no compromise on this requirement.
All recovered alumina is collected and returned.
Alumina is too valuable to abandon. The Big·Mole process is designed for total material recovery, all material loosened from walls and cone is collected and available for return to production or proper disposal per facility requirements.
Safety Without Compromise
Mole·Master® supports aluminum producers with a full range of specialized industrial services, including:
- No-entry silo, bin, hopper, and storage vessel cleaning
- Proprietary Big·Mole® remote-operated cleaning system
- Industrial vacuum services for material recovery and housekeeping
- Hydro-blasting for process equipment and industrial cleaning applications
- Abrasive blasting and dry ice blasting for specialized cleaning requirements
- Pipe pigging and process line cleaning
- Structural inspections of silos, bins, and storage vessels
- Preventative maintenance cleaning programs designed to reduce unplanned downtime and extend equipment life
Every project is performed by highly trained technicians who meet or exceed OSHA, MSHA, and applicable site-specific safety requirements. Detailed planning, continuous training, and proprietary no-entry technologies help reduce risk while ensuring safe, efficient execution on every project.
Aluminum producers throughout North America and around the world trust Mole·Master® to solve complex storage vessel challenges, restore material flow, maximize storage capacity, and keep critical operations running safely and reliably.
The primary system plus specialty services for after-cleaning needs.
Beyond the Big·Mole, Mole·Master® provides hydroblasting, industrial vacuum, and Arch·Master® services for aluminum smelter maintenance needs beyond silo cleaning.
Big·Mole®
Non-sparking, 100% dry, no-entry. Remote-operated from the silo roof. Proven in alumina for over four decades.
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Arch·Master®
Breaks bridged alumina and restores flow through compacted zones up to 152 ft (45 m) deep without entry.
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Industrial Vacuum & Hydroblasting
Industrial vacuum for dust and material around silos; hydroblasting for conveying equipment, chutes, and ancillary systems at the smelter.
Learn MoreAlumina or bauxite: no water, no entry, no spark. Tell us the vessel.
Give us the silo dimensions, material condition, and any special facility requirements. We’ll confirm the non-sparking, no-entry process and what total material recovery will look like for your vessels.