Construction of a new combined cycle gas powered power station is nearing completion in Shoreham on the south coast of England. Main contractor ABB Power Generation has installed six Street overhead cranes.
Two of the cranes, which were fitted in the turbine hall of the power plant, were double girder cranes with twin hoists of 20t and 70t. These two cranes largely operate independently, using the hoist that is most appropriate for the load. However, for major sub assemblies weighing up to 123t the cranes operate in tandem using the larger hoists.
Additional cranes include 20t units for the gas compressor, a 10t unit in the pump house, a 7t unit in the cooling water annex and a 6t unit in the workshop. In the gas compressor house crane, special explosion resistant motors and controls were used. The Shoreham contract value for Street was £450,000 ($720,000).
The cranes have stepless inverter controls to ensure stable handling of loads, smooth acceleration and deceleration and minimise load swing to enable the precise placing of components.
