The removal, refurbishment and re-installation of the digester jib was conducted by D&S Rigging and Engineering and Concord Cranes, using the biggest hydraulic mobile crane in the country
The removal of the digester jib was conducted using the biggest hydraulic mobile crane in the country
LOCAL companies successfully executed the removal of a jib crane at Sappi Ngodwana recently.
The removal, refurbishment and re-installation of the digester jib was conducted by D&S Rigging and Engineering and Concord Cranes, using the biggest hydraulic mobile crane in the country.
We used a build methodology which has not been carried out in South Africa before to lift 16 tons on a radius of 70 meters and a hook height of 90 meters.
Our biggest hurdle was a pipe rack that interrupted our build site at 64.0 meters. We required 92 meters to build the configuration.
Owing to the fact that the plant was ‘live’ and could not be shut down, we had to make a plan to build around it,’ said D&S Operational Manager, Herman Kriel.
Concord put together a proposal to adapt the ‘fly assembly’ method, by building a stage of timber board and beam deck which would offer support to the crane. A 30 meters long and 3 meters wide pine deck with a load bearing of 24 tons was then built on a scaffolding structure 8 meters high.
Thereafter the 750 ton mobile crane was site established and the C66 digester jib crane was removed safely and transported to Richards Bay for refurbishment, Kriel said.
SOURCES