Baltimore, MD

Domino Sugar Silos

Client: ASR Group – Domino Sugar Baltimore Refinery
Our Role: Designer of Record

A large sugar silo building featuring a prominent sign on its exterior reading Domino Sugars.

The ASR Group’s Domino Sugar Refinery in Baltimore, Maryland, has been a cornerstone of the city’s industrial and economic landscape for over a century. With increasing demand for refined sugar and the need for a more efficient storage and distribution system, the refinery required a significant capacity expansion. The challenge was to design and construct a facility that could house 14 million pounds of finished sugar while operating seamlessly within an active industrial site along the waterfront. Additionally, the project needed to account for strict safety regulations, including working in a Class-2 explosive environment, while minimizing disruptions to ongoing refinery operations.

Given the project’s location on a challenging waterfront site, our team carefully navigated environmental considerations, permitting requirements, and operational constraints to ensure seamless integration with the refinery’s continuous operations. The additional storage capacity not only enhances efficiency but also reduces energy and water consumption, aligning with ASR Group’s sustainability goals.

Key Features

Expanded Storage Capacity: Four 160-foot-tall silos increase the facility’s finished sugar storage to 14 million pounds, supporting growing demand.
Fire-Rated Safety Enhancements: A 180-foot-tall enclosed stair tower ensures safe egress, while silo crossovers improve circulation at key access points.
Seamless Integration: An enclosed elevated conveyor bridge connects the new silos to the existing process building, optimizing workflow and efficiency.
Environmental & Regulatory Compliance: A bathymetric survey of the sugar unloading and fuel oil refueling berths, along with permitting for waterfront construction, ensured adherence to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Maryland Department of the Environment regulations.
Operational Resiliency: Designed to function in a Class-2 explosive environment, the facility incorporates rigorous safety measures and required meticulous planning for off-shift work.

Outcomes

Major Capital Investment: One of the largest investments in the refinery’s history, expanding storage capacity and improving safety.
Operational Efficiency: Streamlined processes enhance efficiency while supporting long-term growth.
Sustainability Benefits: Modern infrastructure reduces energy consumption and optimizes production.
Market Competitiveness: Strengthens ASR Group’s ability to meet market demands.