WF Group of Companies has delivered two large explosion-proof overhead cranes for use at the Dow Path2Zero Project in Alberta, as part of its first collaboration with Linde.
The equipment includes the largest explosion-proof crane ever supplied by the Canadian manufacturer, intended for handling hazardous hydrogen at the new facility located in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland near Edmonton.
The project forms part of a major investment in low-carbon industrial infrastructure, with Linde contracted to supply clean hydrogen and industrial gases to the Dow Path2Zero Project.
The hydrogen produced at the site is expected to help reduce emissions from Dow’s operations and support the net-zero ambitions of the new complex, in addition to serving other customers within Alberta.
WF Group’s scope on the project covered engineering, design, manufacture, and delivery of two overhead crane systems specifically built for hazardous hydrogen service environments.
The largest unit has a 70t main hoist capacity and a 5t auxiliary hoist. The second crane features a 35t main hoist.
Both cranes are classified as Class I, Zone 2, Group IIB + H₂, T3, suitable for operation in explosive hydrogen environments.
A key technical challenge arose due to the absence of a suitable two-speed explosion-proof hoist motor for the 70t crane.
To address this, WF Group designed a custom Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) solution with specialised explosion-proof electrical enclosures for the main hoist.
The bridge and trolley motions on both cranes are also fitted with VFD control, intended to improve operational precision and ensure smoother acceleration and deceleration.
All main hoists were supplied by GH Cranes & Components.
The contract followed a comprehensive audit by Linde of WF Group’s manufacturing facilities, engineering capabilities, and quality systems.
According to the company, this marked the first time it has supplied cranes for Linde.
WF Group said: “Together, these two crane systems represent months of engineering, manufacturing, and coordination—reflecting the turnkey approach behind every custom crane project we deliver.”
WF Group of Companies, established in 1987 and based in Canada, specialises in overhead cranes, structural steel fabrication, and crane servicing for industrial applications.
