Getting it right

ALE successfully transported and lifted three coke drums, weighing 435t, in Buenos Aires during the windy season.

The installation of drums weighing 435t and measuring 42m in height, within confined space and a small working area filled with obstacles such as trees and building, was conducted by ALE.

Because of the client’s schedule, the heaviest pieces needed to be lifted during the windy season, which posed another challenge.

In order to manage the risk, ALE produced a risk assessment for the windy operations and the refinery’s restrictions.

ALE’s engineering team reduced the allowable wind speed for the lifting operations taking place in exposed areas. Moreover, the company complied with the restrictions set by the crane’s manufacturer, such as speed limits and lowering the boom in case of storms. As strong winds made an accurate and smooth installation difficult, especially of smaller pieces, the experienced supervisors set operational restrictions.

All of these parameters were included in the method statement for each piece to be lifted, clearly indicating all restrictions regarding limit wind speeds.

Firstly, the coke drums were transported internally within the YPF refinery from the storage area to the coke drum building using 4 x 22 axle lines of conventional trailers.

The coke drums were then lifted using a LR11350 with P boom to optimise the manoeuvres in the space available and minimise any tree cutting. The 1,350t capacity crane is currently the largest crane operating in Argentina and four crane configurations with P boom were exercised. In order to reduce the ground bearing pressure when performing the lift, load spreading mats of the AL.SK crane were utilised in the crane area.

This formed part of a project, which commenced at the end of May and will be completed by mid- October.