Process Skids & Fluid Distribution Manifolds
Flowtek designs and fabricates process skids and fluid distribution manifolds that consolidate pumps, valves, instrumentation, and fluid routing into a single, tested, installation-ready assembly—reducing field install time and ensuring correct operation at startup.
What Is a Process Skid?
A process skid is a pre-assembled, self-contained unit that integrates multiple components into a single, tested system. Rather than assembling pumps, valves, instrumentation, and piping in the field—a slow, error-prone process—Flowtek fabricates your entire system in our controlled manufacturing environment, tests every connection and function, and delivers it ready for installation.
Key components of a Flowtek skid:
- Structural frame: Welded stainless steel or carbon steel base with lifting lugs for safe transport and installation.
- Pump(s) and motor(s): Right-sized for your flow and pressure requirements, pre-wired and tested.
- Valves and controls: Isolation, relief, check, and control valves positioned for function and maintenance accessibility.
- Instrumentation: Pressure transducers, flow meters, temperature probes, and level switches integrated and wired into the control system.
- Piping and fittings: Fabricated from stainless steel or HDPE based on product requirements, fully assembled and pressure-tested before shipment.
- Control panel: Complete electrical integration with PLC logic, safety interlocks, emergency stops, and data display.
- Documentation: As-built drawings, test reports, parts lists, and operation manuals for your plant maintenance team.
Types of Skids We Build
Pump & Routing Systems
Single or multiple pumps with isolation valves, suction and discharge manifolds, pressure relief, and flow control. Perfect for moving product between tanks or from storage to your packaging line. Minimal piping connections required—just plug into your inlet and outlet, connect power, and you're running.
Recipe & Proportion Control
Multi-pump systems with proportional dosing, flow control valves, and recipe management via PLC. Create consistent formulations batch after batch. Flowtek programs your recipes directly into the skid controls—no additional instrumentation needed in the field.
Clean-in-Place Systems
Dedicated clean-in-place supply and return with hot water heater integration, detergent dosing, and cycle control. Temperature and flow sensors ensure proper cleaning chemistry. Auto-shutoff after cycle completion to minimize chemical waste and operator time.
Multi-Outlet Routing
Stainless steel headers with individual outlet isolation valves, reducing the need for field-built valve arrays. Each outlet is independently controllable for flexible product routing between tanks, fillers, and process equipment without modifying your entire system.
Designed for Growth
Flowtek builds skids with room for future valve, pump, or instrumentation additions. Extra manifold ports, spare motor mounts, and expansion-ready electrical panels mean your skid scales with your business without complete replacement.
Application-Specific Design
Unique operations require custom solutions. Flowtek designs skids for specialized requirements—high-viscosity products, thermal management, hazardous locations, or complex multi-stage processes. Every skid is engineered for your specific application.
Manifold Systems
Fluid distribution manifolds are the routing hub of your process—consolidating single inlet sources into multiple outlets with individual isolation and control.
Benefits of manifold-based architecture:
- Single-source routing: One outlet from your tank farm or pump connects to the manifold; the manifold distributes to multiple destinations (fillers, blenders, storage, etc.).
- Individual outlet isolation: Each manifold outlet has its own isolation valve, allowing independent control without affecting other process routes.
- Pressure-rated design: Flowtek manifolds are engineered and pressure-tested to ensure safe operation across your entire system.
- Reduced field piping: With manifold pre-assembly, you reduce field-built connections, minimizing leak points and installation time.
- Scalability: Add or modify outlet routing by adding new manifold branches rather than re-routing entire system piping.
Manifold material selection: Flowtek fabricates manifolds from stainless steel (304/316L) for food and beverage applications, and carbon steel with appropriate coatings for chemical operations. All manifolds are tested and certified for their design pressure and product compatibility.
Benefits of Skid-Mounted Systems
Factory-Tested & Documented
Every skid undergoes pressure testing, function testing, and safety verification before shipping. You receive comprehensive as-built documentation, test certificates, and operation manuals—eliminating field debugging and reducing commissioning time.
Faster Installation & Commissioning
No field piping assembly, no valve connections, no pressure leaks to track down. Your installation team connects inlet/outlet, power, and control lines. Commissioning happens in days rather than weeks.
Documented Safety & Compliance
NFPA, ASME, and industry-specific codes are built into skid design. Relief valves, emergency stops, and safety interlocks are pre-engineered and tested. You receive documentation proving code compliance for your regulatory file.
Expansion-Ready Design
Future production increases don't require complete system replacement. Flowtek designs skids with expansion capability—additional pumps, valves, or instrumentation can be added to existing frames with minimal downtime.
Reduced Field Labor & Risk
Complex piping and valve assembly is completed in our shop under controlled conditions, not in your facility. Your team focuses on integration, not troubleshooting. Lower field labor costs and reduced installation risk.
Long-Term Reliability & Support
Flowtek provides technical support, spare parts, and maintenance planning for your skid throughout its operational life. Your team knows exactly how the system works because we provide complete training and documentation.
Skid-Mounted vs. Field-Built Systems
| Aspect | Skid-Mounted (Flowtek) | Field-Built (Traditional) |
|---|---|---|
| Assembly | Fabricated and tested in controlled shop environment | Assembled piecemeal at your facility with on-site labor |
| Quality Assurance | Pressure-tested, function-tested, documented before delivery | Commissioning and testing happens after installation—issues discovered during startup |
| Installation Time | Days (connect inlet/outlet, power, control lines) | Weeks (fabricate, assemble, test, troubleshoot in field) |
| Leak Risk | Minimal (all connections pre-tested) | Higher (field connections can shift, loosen over time) |
| Cost | Higher upfront; lower total cost of ownership | Lower upfront; higher labor, slower production ramp |
| Documentation | Complete as-built drawings, test reports, manuals provided | Minimal documentation; tribal knowledge on field assembly |
| Expandability | Designed for future modifications | Difficult to expand without major re-piping |
Related Process Systems
Tank Farms & Bulk Storage
Bulk liquid storage systems that feed your process skids and manifolds with raw materials and intermediate products.
Blending & Mixing Systems
In-tank agitation and inline ratio blending solutions that can be integrated into your skid architecture.
Pumps & Fluid Transfer
Process pumps and transfer systems that form the core of your skid-mounted operation.
Process Systems Hub
Explore all bulk storage, blending, transfer, and integration solutions for your liquid manufacturing operation.
Let's Design Your Custom Process Skid
Flowtek has engineered custom skids and manifold systems for edible oil, chemical, beverage, and personal care manufacturers across North America. Whether you need a simple transfer skid or a complex multi-stage blending and distribution system, we'll design, build, test, and deliver a solution ready to run from day one.