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Bigge Removes RVCH from Maryland Nuclear Plant
One of Bigge’s East Coast branches in Richmond, Virginia successfully achieved the removal and installation of the second of two Reactor Vessel Closure Heads (RVCH) ahead of schedule at the Calvert Cliff Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby, Maryland.
Over the past 18 months, Bigge's engineering team worked diligently with our customer to lay the groundwork for this extraordinary lift. Our quick execution of the schedule and applying lessons learned resulted in one of the fastest head change out evolutions in the industry for this type of operation.
The 200-ton RVCH unit was removed from the reactor building through the existing hatch opening. The standard opening allowed less than a 3-inch clearance around the diameter of the unit, emphasizing the importance of Bigge's attention to detail on this precise lift. Bigge's unique cantilever system provided for a fast, unobtrusive presence in the containment building.
Bigge was also the contractor responsible for the load- out of the decommissioned RVCH unit. The unit was placed on a heavy-duty Goldhofer trailer for transport onto a barge, where it will be sent to burial.
EQUIPMENT USED
