Bigge Crane & Rigging Co.
Nuclear Reactor Vessel Head Replacement
Plant:
Project:
Unit:
Location:
Owner:
Contractor:
Year:
Project:
Unit:
Location:
Owner:
Contractor:
Year:
Crystal River Nuclear Generating Station (825 MW)
Reactor Vessel Closure Head Replacement Project
Unit #3
Crystal River, Florida
Florida Power Corporation
Framatome ANP
2002-2003
Reactor Vessel Closure Head Replacement Project
Unit #3
Crystal River, Florida
Florida Power Corporation
Framatome ANP
2002-2003
Scope:
Bigge Power Constructors, as subcontractor to Framatome ANP, performed the following nuclear reactor vessel head (RVH) replacement work involving heavy lift and heavy transportation.
- Engineered and fabricated a lifting and skidding device to move the RV head with the CRDMs and the Service Structure attached
- Removed the existing RVH
- Installed specialized Bigge handing equipment in Containment including a though-hatch runway system
- Transported RVH, CRDM and Superstructure assembly on double-wide Goldhofer platform trailers
- Moved into Containment, rotated, lifted and set the approximately 200-ton replacement RVH assembly
Job Challenges:
Bigge Constructors successfully dealt with the following challenges on this project.
- Engineering unique solution to RVH with CRDM’s and Superstructure attached
- Device designed to hold CRDM’s in place during rotation and to handle assembly with tight clearances (1”) to the Containment equipment hatch
- Handling, skidding and rotating RVH with CRDM’s and Superstructure attached
Revised April 6, 2006
