A fleet of 12 Potain tower cranes is working around the clock in sub-zero conditions in central Russia, building the $33.4 billion (€25bn) fourth reactor of the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Station.
As temperatures on the job site can reach nearly minus 40 degrees centigrade during winter, with snow on the ground from October through to April, the cranes have been fitted with cold weather kits, which include insulated cabs and additional heating to protect operators.
The cranes are lifting heavy pre-cast concrete sections, formwork, and other construction materials. Loads include armour-plated doors weighing up to 18 tonnes, used for containment.
Jean-Claude Doucene, Manitowoc’s commercial director for Russia and CIS countries, said the cranes had undertaken a long journey to reach the job site.
“These cranes have been working effectively on site since 2007, although we had to transport them close to 6,000 km from the factories in France and Portugal to the project,” he said.
“Their main task is helping with structural work, lifting concrete, rebar and formwork. The cranes will stay on the 800 MW fourth reactor project until it finishes in 2013. At that time, if financing has been secured for the next reactor in the project, the cranes will transfer to that site.”
The project to build the fourth reactor at Beloyarsk is expected to take six years to complete, with work being carried out on the job site 24/7.
The cranes in use at the project include five MDT 178s, three MD 208 As, two MDT 218s and an MD 238 A. There is also a 4t capacity Igo 50 self-erecting crane. The tower cranes offer capacities of up to 10t and are all configured with maximum jib lengths.
