Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Home   |   Projects   |   Chevron

Chevron

Cape Town (Western Cape)

Requirement

Removal and replacement of existing timber cooling tower with a pultruded fiberglass (GRP) structure. Additional requirements included new water distribution piping, new mechanicals and a new access staircase. The project objective was to ensure that the new cooling tower would meet the very specific thermal duty for the plant – Water flowrate – 1600 mᶾ/hr, Cooling Capacity – 40.8 MW and Number of cells


Solution

The challenge we faced was to ensure the safe demolition of the existing cooling tower. Due to the unstable timber structure, with several rotten timber components and some internals having already collapsed, it was simply too risky to carry out a conventional approach by stripping items by hand. To negate these risks mechanical demolition equipment (with their own risks) was used.

We also had to ensure that the adjacent plant and concrete basin was not damaged during demolition activities. To prevent this, careful detailed planning, competent machine operators, safety watchers and a systematic approach were key to the success.

The plant had to be shut down for a short period for the duration of work required. The new cooling tower structure was pre-assembled, prior to the commencement of the shutdown, into four sections in an open area near the cooling tower. A large crane, with extended boom, was then used to lift and install the sections into place after demolition and clearing of the concrete basin. Once the new structure was securely in place our site teams commenced with the installation of the internals, cladding and mechanicals. Our site teams worked 12 hour shifts in order to meet the required deadline for plant start-up.

With the correct approach to safety, quality, engineering, planning and project management, IWC could confidently take on this project despite the high safety risks involved and the short project duration. Our proactive and dynamic approach ensured another successful project delivered under budget and within the prescribed time.

Contact us to see how we can assist with your cooling tower refurbishment project.


SHARE
Cooling tower refurbishment services