Sell Process Plants & Equipment Case Studies

Phoenix purchased an idled 25,000 TPY sodium cyanide plant.  We re-sold the entire plant including know-how. As part of the sale, Phoenix was responsible to manage the dismantlement, match-marking, crating, packing and shipment of the plant to Mexico.  Relocation work began in March 2014 and was completed by September 2014. FMC was unable to sell the plant since it exited the cyanide business in 2002.  In 2012, Phoenix was given the opportunity to find a buyer who would relocate the plant.  After extensive marketing, Phoenix developed a buyer that resulted in a substantial revenue for FMC.

A U.S.-based chemical manufacturer owned a complete KOCH-designed solvent recovery and distillation system that was never commissioned. Originally built for Dimethylformamide (DMF) recovery, the plant remained idle for more than ten years. Phoenix Equipment acquired the asset and identified an African fuel-processing company that could adapt the system for a waste-product distillation project. Phoenix then managed the sale, removal, transportation, and export, successfully relocating the complete system from the United States to Africa.   The Challenge The seller owned a complete distillation system designed for DMF purification and recovery. Although never used, the system remained in excellent condition and featured high-quality process equipment, including a 36-inch diameter distillation column and Hastelloy C276 heat exchangers. The challenge was finding a buyer that could recognize the value of the equipment and adapt it for a different application while managing the complexities of removing and relocating the system.   The Opportunity Phoenix recognized that the system's design and metallurgy made it suitable for a wide range of solvent recovery and distillation applications beyond DMF service. Through its global network, Phoenix identified an African company in the fuel sector developing a waste-product recovery project. After reviewing the equipment and conducting an on-site inspection, the buyer determined the system could be adapted to meet its processing requirements at a significantly lower cost than purchasing new equipment.   Phoenix Equipment's Solution Phoenix handled every phase of the transaction, including acquiring the system from the U.S. chemical company, marketing it globally, coordinating inspections, and negotiating the sale. By acting as both buyer and seller, Phoenix simplified the process for all parties and ensured the equipment was successfully matched with a qualified end user.   Heavy Lift and Removal Execution Removing the complete skid-mounted system without damage was critical to the project's success. Phoenix developed a detailed lifting plan utilizing a 250-ton main crane and a tailing crane. The system was carefully disconnected, lowered, loaded onto trucks, and prepared for shipment while preserving the integrity of the equipment, piping, and skid structure.   Transportation and Export Logistics After removal, Phoenix coordinated transportation from the seller's facility to the export port and managed all logistics required for international shipment. Services included heavy-haul trucking, export preparation, port coordination, and ocean freight. Phoenix served as the single point of contact throughout the project, ensuring a smooth transition from seller to buyer.   Results   For the Seller Recovered value from an idled asset for more than ten years Eliminated storage obligations Freed facility space   For the Buyer Acquired quality equipment at a fraction of replacement cost Avoided long fabrication lead times Accelerated project development   For the Project Successful relocation from the U.S. to Africa Safe removal with no equipment damage Productive reuse of a long-idle industrial asset   Conclusion This project highlights Phoenix Equipment's ability to create value by connecting underutilized assets with qualified buyers worldwide. Through equipment acquisition, global marketing, heavy-lift execution, and international logistics, Phoenix transformed a dormant distillation system into a productive asset supporting a new fuel-industry project in Africa. If you need help with a chemical plant or equipment sale, purchase or relocation project, we would be happy to discuss your next project and see how Phoenix can best assist you.Speak to one of our team members todayto learn more about our variety of different services and solutions.

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. 

A surplus oxygen plant in India finds new purpose at a major platinum mine in Zimbabwe—thanks to Phoenix Equipment’s global project execution.   From Surplus to Strategic: Unlocking International Value A once-idled oxygen plant in India is now boosting combustion efficiency at a leading platinum mining operation in Zimbabwe—demonstrating how industrial assets can transcend borders and timelines with the right partner.   Background: A Global Industrial Turnaround When copper smelting operations ceased, Bhagawati Oxygen, a well-established industrial gas company in India, was left with a fully operational but inactive 55 TPD VPSA oxygen plant. Built by renowned Japanese firm Sumitomo Seika, the system had just two years of runtime and remained in excellent condition—with OEM documentation and spare parts ready. Phoenix Equipment stepped in to connect the unused facility with a buyer who needed immediate, high-capacity oxygen generation—across the globe.   The Challenge: Repositioning an Underutilized Asset Bhagawati Oxygen sought to free up capital and make use of a valuable plant no longer contributing to revenue. Meanwhile, a top-tier platinum producer in Zimbabwe was under pressure to enhance furnace performance using oxygen enrichment. The mining company needed a production-ready solution—fast. Building new equipment from scratch would take over a year and require a substantial capital outlay. Phoenix Equipment created a bridge between these two needs, delivering a solution that served both sides.   The Execution: End-to-End Relocation and Commissioning Phoenix managed every stage of the project with precision and speed: Asset Evaluation: Reviewed the 55 TPD unit’s design, condition, and adaptability for the buyer’s operations Client Matchmaking: Introduced the asset to a platinum miner in Zimbabwe, enabling a swift site assessment Transaction Finalization: The buyer approved and committed to the acquisition within two months Relocation Logistics: Phoenix oversaw the dismantling in India, inland transportation, and ocean freight—ensuring secure delivery   The Result: High Impact on Both Ends For Bhagawati Oxygen: Full value recaptured from an inactive facility Quick, clean divestment with no prolonged asset holding Immediate liquidity to reallocate toward operational needs   For the Zimbabwean Platinum Miner: Gained a fully functional oxygen plant, ready for deployment Cut more than a year from project timelines Avoided the financial burden of a new installation   Key Project Details Project Value: $2,000,000 Timeline: November 2022 – October 2023 Services: Plant Sourcing, Acquisition, Relocation Plant Type: 55 TPD VPSA Oxygen Unit (93% Purity) Origin: India (Bhagawati Oxygen)   New Availability: High-Capacity Nitrogen Plant on Offer Continuing our mission to deliver ready-to-deploy industrial solutions, Phoenix now offers a premium: Cryogenic Nitrogen Generation Plant – 6,600 Nm³/h Ideal for petrochemical, electronics, and metallurgical operations Energy-efficient cryogenic separation technology Available for global relocation and immediate inspection   Interested in streamlining your expansion plans? Contact us for specs and pricing.   Why Choose Phoenix Equipment? Phoenix Equipment is a global leader in the acquisition, sale, and relocation of process plants and equipment. Our services help industrial operators: Unlock capital from underused facilities Procure high-quality systems at a fraction of new-build costs Expedite project timelines without compromising performance   With decades of success across chemicals, refining, industrial gases, and more, Phoenix transforms surplus assets into turnkey opportunities. From idle capacity to global productivity—that’s the Phoenix approach.

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.  

Plant Type: 14,000 BPD Topping Unit (Crude Unit)   Original Location: Vicksburg, MS                                               Destination: Africa   Phoenix Equipment purchased a 14,000 BPD Crude Distillation Unit (Topping Unit) in Mississippi. This complete unit produces jet (aviation) fuel, diesel, naphtha, kerosene, butane mix and light Gasoline. The unit was originally built in 1978 to process 5,000 BPD of south Louisiana light sweet crude oil. Between 1991 and 1994, the unit underwent expansions to increase capacity. In 1995, the unit switched feedstock to heavy aromatic distillate to produce both gasoline blends and marine diesel oil blends.        This unit is ideal for a region which has limited crude oil supply, but a small demand of fuel, diesel, naphtha and kerosene. Phoenix Equipment received serious inquiries from customers worldwide, especially from Africa, South East Asia, and CIS regions. There were very limited technical documents left after the shutdown due to several changes in ownership.  Nonetheless, our customers were confident the unit could be relocated and re-operated because it is a very common crude distillation process. We re-sold this unit to a customer in Africa. We coordinated with the customer to hire a dismantling contractor who met the customer’s tight budget. The dismantlement was completed in less than 4 months. All purchased equipment and structures were shipped to Africa for refurbishment and reinstallation.

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.

Phoenix Equipment, in conjunction with a dismantlement partner, acquired for resale a 4.25 MW cogeneration plant from Montclair State University that was being replaced by a larger unit.  We sold the entire plant, including 4 MW Centaur 50 Solar gas turbine, HRSG, steam boiler, deaerator boiler feed water pumps, water filtration system, fire system, controls and all other components loaded to truck to one buyer for re-use at another location. The buyer acquired the plant and machinery for re-use in a new cogeneration plant at an ethanol plant. The new site is using the plant to generate 4.25 MW of electricty and 24,000 pounds per hour of 150 psi steam for their process.   Take-Aways The University was paid for an obsolete asset and avoided the liability of having to pay someone to remove the cogeneration plant - which was inside a building and locating in an area with very limited mobility. The University received a gutted, broom clean building, and today uses it for a student art gallery The buyer and ethanol plant obtained a good used cogeneration plant with all associated parts for a fraction of the cost of buying a new equipment.