3 mins
Industrial Demolition
PHOTO: BROWN AND MASON
BROWN AND MASON
COUNTRY United Kingdom
PROJECT Gelderland Power Station – Nijmergen
CLIENT Brown and Mason Group
This contract involved substantial asbestos removal and extensive use of explosives all within the timeframe of Brexit, Covid and the war in Ukraine.
Centrale Gelderland was a 585 MW coal/biomass-fired power plant located in the city of Nijmegen, in The Netherlands. The project saw Brown and Mason face multiple challenges, including intense scrutiny from local and national authorities, and logistical difficulties associated with the transcontinental shipping of explosives during a war. Previous works on site had left structures in various unsafe conditions, which necessitated the development of engineering solutions for complex explosive demolition methodologies.
The design and implementation of which were subject to extremely strict and complex permitting rules, as the use of explosives in The Netherlands for demolishing structures, especially structures of this size, had not previously been undertaken. ■
PHOTO: DESPE
DESPE
COUNTRY Italy
PROJECT Unit 1, Mercure Power Plant
CLIENT Resolve Marine
The project to demolish Unit 1 of the Mercure power station was particularly challenging. The client required that the demolition of the boiler and back boiler plant be carried out without disrupting the production of Unit 2, which is located directly next to it and with it shared an elevator.
Despe used its own system for lowering the pressure parts of the boiler, which saw it employ hydraulic jacks on the roof of the boiler to lower the pressure parts to the ground. To avoid disruption to the facility’s fuel supply phase (wood chips), the works had to be completed within just seven months, with minimal disruption to the operation of Unit 2. ■
PHOTO: LEZAMA DEMOLICIONES
LEZAMA DEMOLICIONES
COUNTRY Spain
PROJECT La Robla Thermal Power Plant
CLIENT Naturgy
This project comprised the demolition of two slender chimneys measuring 200 m and 120 m in height, as well as the felling of two, 100-m high cooling towers, which were demolished via a simultaneous explosion.
Lezama also carried out the removal of La Robla’s two boilers, measuring 82.3 m and 54.1 m high respectively. The structures were composed of materials as diverse as fibre cement, insulation and various metals such as iron, stainless steel and copper.
Lezama used selective demolition to bring the structures down and achieved a materials recovery of nearly 95%. ■
PHOTO: LIBERTY INDUSTRIAL
LIBERTY INDUSTRIAL
COUNTRY Australia
PROJECT Argyle Diamond Mine Closure
CLIENT Rio Tinto
To carry out the dismantling of the site’s process plant, mine camps, power station and airport, Liberty Industrial employed advanced methodologies, including the use of high-reach demolition excavators, 3D modelling for induced collapse, and strategic waste management.
The project focused heavily on recycling, achieving the shipment of 34,000 tonnes of ferrous material, 1,000 tonnes of non-ferrous material, and 875 tonnes of HDPE piping, contributing to environmental sustainability and resource conservation.
Challenges such as COVID-19 restrictions and the site’s remote location required both the relocation of personnel and the establishment of a self-sufficient site.
Additionally, collaboration with Traditional Owners ensured fair work opportunities and engagement, resulting in significant local participation. ■
PHOTO: MGL DEMOLITION
MGL DEMOLITION
COUNTRY United Kingdom
PROJECT Redcar Coke Ovens By-Products Plant, Phase 2
CLIENT South Tees Development Corp
MGL Demolition was a key contractor in decontaminating and demolishing the
former Redcar Coke Ovens By-Products (RCOBP) Plant. The RCOBP Plant contained many toxic and pyrophoric materials throughout the site. Several years earlier, it had been shut down but not decommissioned, and it was in poor condition with limited records of remaining materials.
MGL used dry recovery, steaming, chemical treatment, foam blanketing, and conventional and explosive demolition to safely remove the contaminants and demolish the structures. These techniques minimised the quantities of hazardous wastes and facilitated the safe and efficient recovery of all metals for recycling. ■ >36