Sell Process Plants & Equipment Case Studies

For chemical processors and plant managers, the biggest threat to a new capital project isn't just the cost of raw materials—it’s the engineering hours, integration headaches, and startup risks of building from scratch. Sourcing a column, sizing the exchangers, and integrating the pumps piecemeal is a recipe for budget overruns. Smart operators are bypassing these CAPEX and engineering hurdles by acquiring complete, proven systems. On the flip side, facility managers with idle distillation equipment are sitting on stranded capital and sacrificing valuable plant real estate. Phoenix Equipment bridges this gap. We help facilities monetize their obsolete footprint by placing complete, engineered systems directly into the hands of operators who need to scale immediately. Recently, Phoenix Equipment successfully placed four distillation column systems with buyers who recognized the value of proven capacity. Below is a brief look at each one, followed by an open call for similar assets.   Sale #1: 36" Dia Koch Hastelloy Distillation System Fabricating new Hastelloy components requires massive capital. This complete, skid-mounted distillation system—designed by Koch Process Technologies—offered the buyer highly corrosion-resistant capacity at a fraction of the cost of new. Dimensions & Specs: 40 trays, 79 feet tall on skid, weighing 8,500 lbs. Metallurgy: Lower 7'3" section is Hastelloy C276; upper section is 316L Stainless Steel. Rating: Built in 1998, MAWP 50 PSI/FV @ 400°F. Ancillary Package: Shell and tube heat exchangers (Rubicon), two Tranter SuperChanger plate & frame exchangers, three Kontro GT pumps (Hastelloy), 150-gallon SS reflux tank, and a Dusenbery pressure vessel.   The Takeaway: The comprehensive ancillary package drastically reduced the buyer's engineering scope of supply and integration risk, delivering plug-and-play capability for corrosive process environments.   Sale #2: 1,000 kg/hr Ethanol Distillation System Built in 2017 by Babcock & Wilcox MEGTEC, this system was completely unused—fabricated and preserved following a project cancellation. Capacity: Engineered to process 1,000 kg/hr of 20% food-grade ethanol to 90% concentration (or 500 kg/hr of 45% ethanol). Dimensions: Stainless steel column standing 31'10" and weighing 15.5 tons. Utility Requirements: Steam: 1,100 lb/hr at 100 PSIG | Chilled water: 349 L/min at 5°C | Air: 20 SCFM at 100 PSIG.   The Takeaway: Unused condition from a reputable OEM, paired with complete documentation, gave a food-grade processor a factory-condition system without the exorbitant greenfield price tag.   Sale #3: 1.5 MM GPY x 2 Ethanol Recovery Plant This was a complete, two-line ethanol recovery plant designed by Delta-T. Built in 1996 and operational until 2019, it successfully processed waste alcohol streams (out-of-date beer, spilled product, residuals) into 200-proof ethanol. Capacity: Each line rated at 1.5 million gallons per year. Process Flow: Stripper column (initial concentration) >  Rectifier column >  Molecular sieve dehydration > Cooling & Storage.   The Takeaway: There is immense value in operational history. With 23 years of proven runtime, the buyer acquired a thoroughly battle-tested process chain, completely bypassing the risk of startup failures while gaining volume flexibility and redundancy.   Sale #4: 28" Dia Hebeler Part-Hastelloy Distillation Column Manufactured by Hebeler in 1995 and ASME coded, this column was previously used in PCL service. Dimensions: 28-inch diameter, 69 feet overall height, 11,000 lbs. Metallurgy: Lower section (head and shell) is Hastelloy C276; upper section is 316L Stainless Steel. Rating: Internal rated 50 PSI @ 350°F; external rated 15 PSI @ 350°F.   The Takeaway: This column was the perfect fit for a buyer needing a mixed-metallurgy vessel for corrosive service, allowing them to optimize their budget by avoiding the premium of a 100% Hastelloy unit.   We Are Actively Looking for Your Surplus Assets These four systems found buyers rapidly because they solved complex engineering and budget problems. There are more buyers in the market right now searching for proven, relocatable distillation assets—and we want to represent them. If your facility has surplus distillation equipment—columns, systems, or integrated plants—taking up valuable real estate, Phoenix Equipment buys and brokers these assets. We move them efficiently, and we know the buyer pool. Our process is simple: Submit Your Specs: Send us your equipment lists, P&IDs, or photos. We Evaluate: Our engineering team will review the assets and provide a fair market valuation. You Get Paid: We purchase the assets, handle the logistics, and clear your facility space for your next expansion.   We are actively buying: Distillation columns (any diameter, any metallurgy) Complete distillation systems with ancillary equipment Ethanol recovery and dehydration plants Specialty alloy columns (Hastelloy, Inconel, Titanium) Tray and packed columns   Turn your idle equipment into working capital today. Contact Phoenix Equipment: Phone: 732-442-6990 Email: sales@phxequip.com Website: www.phxequip.com

The main uses of formaldehyde are urea formaldehyde (UF) resin, used as a binder in particle board and medium density fiberboard (MDF); melamine formaldehyde (MF) resin, used in laminates; phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin, used as an insulation binder in laminates, and high-tech automobile and aviation applications; and rigid polyurethane (PU) foams, used in construction where superior insulating and mechanical properties are needed. Formaldehyde is primarily produced as a 37% aqueous solution, which makes trade costly, as there is less than two-fifths of formaldehyde per unit of liquid, thus increasing the amount of solution that needs to be delivered, which in turn increases transportation costs. Formaldehyde prices are set on a quarterly basis and track methanol feedstock. In Europe, formaldehyde is usually consumed locally. Polioli SpA was a major formaldehyde producer in Italy. During the past 45 years, Polioli developed its formaldehyde process reaching a very high level of efficiency and reliability. In 1987, Polioli built a 60,000 TPY formaldehyde plant which produced formaldehyde solution at 37 wt.%, with residual methanol of 0.5 – 1.0 wt.%, and formic acid of less than 200 PPM. In 1991, the plant upgraded its reactors. After a larger formaldehyde plant was built by Polioli, this plant was shut down in 2012. Phoenix purchased this formaldehyde plant and re-sold its equipment, piping, instruments and technical documents to a customer from Asia. All original technical documents of this plant were written in Italian and available only in hard copy. Phoenix arranged to translate over 400 original documents into English by an experienced process expert, including translating and transferring all documents to an electronic format. Phoenix was responsible for the match-marking, dismantlement, export sea worth packing, loading and inland and sea transportation of this plant to its final destination.  As part of the work, we provided a complete 3D laser scan of the plant. The final shipment included 15 expertly packed 40 ft sea containers and 5 large break bulk items, totaling around 300,000 kg. Phoenix completed the dismantlement and delivery within 6 months of receiving the order. In addition, Phoenix helped the customer obtain engineering services for upgrading the plant, supervision for the re-installation and guidance for the commissioning. The customer will receive a process guarantee. 

Industry: Energy, Chemicals & Industrial Gases Application: Synthesis Gas (H2 + CO) Production Asset Type: Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) Plant Plant Capacity: 18,500 Nm³/hr (653,000 SCFH)   The Challenge: A Fully Built Syngas Plant, Sitting Unused A leading North American energy company had invested heavily in a Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) initiative, anchored by a high-capacity HyCO plant engineered for synthesis gas production. The facility was completed, test-run, and mechanically sound — but due to a shift in strategic direction, the GTL project was shelved before full operations began. What remained was a $50M+ asset — idle, underutilized, and tying up valuable site space and capital. That’s when Phoenix Equipment stepped in.   Phoenix’s Role: Turning a Stranded Plant into a Strategic Opportunity Phoenix Equipment identified the dormant plant’s long-term value and moved swiftly to acquire it on speculation — no buyer lined up, just confidence in its market viability. We then led a comprehensive preservation and relocation effort, including: 3D laser scanning and detailed matchmarking Professional dismantling and labeling Secure storage and logistics coordination Complete documentation, including P&IDs and mechanical data   By assuming ownership and handling every step, we enabled the original owner to: Recoup capital quickly Eliminate environmental and site liabilities Clear the site for future development   What Made This Syngas Plant So Valuable? Unlike standard hydrogen units, this plant was designed to produce a controlled H2/CO ratio — true synthesis gas — opening the door to multiple downstream uses: Fischer-Tropsch synthesis Oxo-alcohols, acetic acid, or methanol production Formaldehyde and other gas-based chemicals Syngas platforms for clean fuels or alternative energy Its flexibility was key. And with a PSA system, the unit could also be adapted for high-purity hydrogen production — making it even more attractive to future-focused buyers.   The Right Buyer, Without the Wait With the plant safely dismantled and stored, we launched a targeted outreach strategy to connect with: Multinational chemical producers Industrial gas providers Advanced energy companies Blue hydrogen developers The result: We placed the unit with a global chemical manufacturer seeking to fast-track syngas-based production — bypassing the 2–3 year wait for new-build capacity.   The Outcome: Smart Recovery, Sustainable Results For the Seller: Monetized an idle, non-core asset Avoided costly demolition and site maintenance Freed up real estate for future expansion   For the Buyer: Acquired a high-volume plant at a fraction of the new-build cost Accelerated production timelines by years Retained hydrogen conversion potential for future needs   For the Environment: Reused thousands of tons of steel and processing equipment Significantly reduced embodied carbon footprint   Takeaway: Stranded Assets Don’t Have to Stay Stranded This case demonstrates what’s possible when foresight meets execution. With Phoenix Equipment, process plants that no longer serve one business can power the next — sustainably, strategically, and efficiently.   Next Up: Another Hydrogen Plant, Ready to Redeploy Following this successful project, we’re offering another hydrogen production plant with: Capacity: 2,266 Nm³/hr (80,000 SCFH) Status: Fully dismantled, matchmarked, and warehoused Design: Built for high-purity hydrogen Availability: Immediate   Explore the Listing: Hydrogen Plant – 2,266 Nm³/hr   Need to Unlock the Value in an Idle Plant? Whether you’re holding underused assets or seeking fast-turnaround capacity for syngas or hydrogen production — we can help. Contact us today, and we will be happy to assist you with all your plant sale and acquisition needs.

The Challenge A US based company specializing in fermentation and contract fermentation, had an expansion project that required adding 3000 liters of bioproduction capacity.  Long lead times and high costs from Original Equipment Manufacturers made the project economics unfeasible and posed a real challenge to expansion. Phoenix Equipment offered several fermenters and fermentation systems to this company but nothing quite fit their needs. Phoenix Equipment didn’t stop there. We embarked on a search campaign, and within a short period of time, we opened discussions with another client that had a project cancellation. As a result of the cancellation, this client no longer required a bioreactor plant system that they had purchased and never installed from BioEngineering. The system was a designed for cell-based products and consisted of (2) 300 Liter seed vessels, (2) 800 Liter seed vessels, and (1) 3000 Liter Production vessel – all 316L Stainless Steel, all in original crates and in pristine condition. They had invested over $3,000,000 in the project and were eagerly looking to recoup some investment and move on. The Solution Phoenix Equipment sprang into action, securing the purchase of the assets through a competitive process, and delivered immediate liquidity to the seller for the unwanted assets. Over the next several weeks, we worked with our buyer to ensure that this system matched their technical requirements. In addition, we provided the buyer with ample time to line up financing on their side. Phoenix Equipment managed the process of removing the bioreactor assets from the seller’s site; as well as handling the loading, packing, securing and delivering of the equipment to the buyers site based on their schedule. The Outcome Project cost: less than $1 million (total, including relocation and reinstallation) Time to operation: less than 3 months Equipment reuse: 100% of core assets Environmental impact: 100% lower material use compared to new build The asset seller realized a partial return on their investment, obtaining immediate funding for other priorities; and our buyer, was able to obtain unused world class equipment at a fraction of the cost of new, and within weeks of reaching out to Phoenix Equipment.

Project Background Phoenix purchased an unused 60 Nm3/hr hydrogen plant in Brownsville, Texas. The plant electrolyzes water to generate green hydrogen. This containerized plant included PEM fuel cell H2 generator, diagram H2 compressors and other skid-mounted equipment. Phoenix re-sold the entire plant and relocated it to Australia. By acquiring this plant, our client was able to drastically reduce their project lead time. Phoenix worked with its client to comply with Australia’s strict import regulations and the client’s SAP vendor system. Phoenix also sourced specific engineering and technical drawings that enabled our client to speed up the re-installation project Highlights Of The Project Timeframe: July 2021 - January 2022 Service: Plant Acquisition and Relocation Value: $800,000.00 Project Outcome  Pan American Enterprise built the plant in 2018 but was not able to put it in production. Phoenix developed international clients who are actively involved in green energy projects.One of the clients purchased the plant from Phoenix and received the plant equipment in Australia in January 2022. After inspecting the delivered equipment, the client was very pleased with its quality.  

Animal Health Fermentation Plant - Sold to be Re-Operated - Terre Haute, IN                                              Phoenix Equipment purchased, in partnership with another company, a 10-acre pharmaceutical-fermentation manufacturing facility from  Alpharma.  We were responsible for all carrying costs, including taxes, utilities, security and environmental conditions. The manufacturing site was built by Pittman-Moore to produce an injectable hormone (porcine somatotropin) used to improve feed efficiency and improve carcass quality in hogs. Pittman-Moore started building on the site in 1988. After a number of trial batches, they stopped the project in 1993. The equipment and the facility were maintained in like new condition until the Alpharma bought the property in 2000. The plant is located on ten acres in an industrial area near the Wabash River. The property is zoned for heavy industry. Adjacent neighbors are a waste treatment plant and an electrical substation. A steel frame concrete building contains 40,500 square feet of space under the roof. With the second floor and mezzanine levels, the total floor area is 67,000 square feet. All process equipment is 316L or 304L Stainless Steel and includes: 50,000 liter S/S Fermenter; 25 Sq. M. Stokes S/S Lypholizer; (2) Westphalia CSA160 Centrifuges; Westphalia BKA Centrifuge; Niro Ultrafiltration Systems; (2) Gaulin 500-MS18-10TBSX Homogenizers; Amicon Ion Exchange Columns; (2) Finn Aqua WFI Stills; APV Continuous Sterilizer; (4) York 350 HP Chillers; Clean Room; and Cozzoli equipment built in 2001 and still in original crates. In April 2008, we re-sold the facility to be re-utilized to make a similar product to a US-based company. Several of the former employees were re-hired and the plant is once again operational.   

  Nitric acid is a widely used chemical for the production of fertilizers, explosives, nylon precursors, and specialty organic compounds. Nitric acid is neutralized with ammonia to make ammonium nitrate, which is a major raw material to make fertilizers and explosives.   Dyno Nobel operated a nitric acid plant in Nevada, USA to produce ammonium nitrate for the local mining industry. When the mining business hit a down turn and market demand for ammonium nitrate decreased, the nitric acid plant was shut down in 2010 and mothballed. This 350 TPD plant was a Chemico mono-high-pressure process, with a steam turbine driven Ingersoll-Rand compressor train, ammonia-to-acid conversation rate of 0.288; and produced 57% concentration nitric acid.  After making a decision to permanently shutter the plant and convert the site to a terminal operation, Dyno Nobel engaged Phoenix to find potential buyers for the nitric acid and ammonium nitrate plants. Phoenix developed well qualified buyers from several countries and coordinated a thorough due diligence for the buyers. After due diligence was completed, Phoenix acquired both the nitric acid and ammonium nitrate plants, and also committed to perform the removal of all assets that couldn’t be relocated, such as the ammonium nitrate prill tower at no cost to Dyno Nobel.  For the buyer, Phoenix sold the plant delivered to the Port of Houston. Our scope of work included match-marking, dismantling, packing, and shipping the nitric acid plant. We packed pipe and small items in over 10 sea containers, sent large and oversized pieces breakbulk via 25+ trucks, and transported super heavy haul loads – the absorber tower and plant boiler – via rail. The plant was relocated to the Middle East.