Al Jaber Heavy Lift and Transport has used its Terex CC 8800-1 in a twin-boom format to complete two super-heavy lifts at a Qatari petrochemical development, the company announced.
In its single-boom configuration, the crawler crane boasts a capacity of 1,600 tonnes. In this format, it was used to complete 31 of the 143 lifts necessitated by the project.
However, for the installation of a pair of advanced gas reactor (AGR) absorbers, each weighing 1,300 tonnes, the CC 800-1 was adapted to SSL TWIN configuration with the addition of a second boom.
Commenting on the crane’s selection, Mark Rowlands, project manager with Al Jaber Heavy Lift, said: “The Terex CC 8800-1 TWIN is not just the best crane for the job, but the best crane. It was comfortable, easy to use, stable and flexible, and the operators were very happy with its precise and user-friendly controls.”
The lifts were planned by Al Jaber’s site manager, Sevi Phillip, over a period of 18 months. Indeed, the ability to complete the two AGR absorber lifts represented a crucial consideration when the contract was awarded.
Once fully rigged in its SSL TWIN format, the self-propelled modular trailers (SPMTs) used to move the huge columns into position were assembled. Each absorber was hoisted upright with the CC 8800-1 TWIN as the main lift crane and a tail frame to control the absorbers’ bases.
Once the absorbers had been lifted clear of the SPMTs, the trailers were moved out of the way and the lift continued until the columns were vertical. At this point, the tail frame was removed, leaving the crawler to carry the entire weight of the units. The Terex CC 8800-1 TWIN then slewed through 90° and placed the columns into their final positions on specially prepared foundations.
Phillip said: “We were all very pleased with the crane and how it performed. Everything went according to the plan – it was a dream come true. We were all surprised how compact the CC 8800-1 TWIN was, given its huge lift capacity. There were 27,000 people on site so pace was at a premium. We worked with the client to minimise time and space requirements, which really benefitted the whole project.”
Alex Mullins, executive director of Al Jaber Heavy Lift Group, added: “We strive to provide clients with safe, cost effective projects, and use the right people and equipment to ensure the right outcome. We were involved at an early stage with the development of the Terex CC 8800-1 TWIN, and we are very pleased with the end result.”
The AGR absorber columns are critical to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing train. They help to remove hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide, and organic sulphurs from the raw feed gas so that it complies with the LNG liquefaction process and sales gas production standards.
