Faced with removing, and refitting, a 5T vessel cover in the tight confines of an industrial complex in Germany during maintenance shutdown, integrity assurance service provider Hydratight, used a combination of Enerpac cube jack, low-height skidding system and turntable to successfully complete the project. A team of 40 Hydratight engineers from Germany, Holland, France, and the UK, operating under COVID-19 restrictions, was tasked with lifting vessel covers, performing on-site machining and controlled bolting on a number of vessels and heat exchanger joints, within the 45 day shutdown.
Following problems with the lifting system normally used to lower and lift the main vessel cover during maintenance, an alternative system was quickly sought. The plant’s operating conditions, and tight space restrictions prohibited the use of a forklift truck. Instead, the Hydratight team chose Enerpac cube jacks to provide a synchronised lowering of the 5T vessel cover. Three cube jacks were used to lift and lower a frame supporting the cover.
Before refitting, the vessel cover was milled using a specialized Mirage MM2000E milling machine, also part of the Enerpac tool portfolio, to ensure an accurate metal-to-metal seal. Refitting the cover required precise positioning to ensure the bolt holes aligned correctly. The cover and cube jacks were placed on an Enerpac ETT turntable which was skidded into position using a low-height skidding system. With the cover raised it was then rotated with millimetre accuracy through precise control of the turntable’s hydraulic cylinders’ stroke, allowing the bolts to be fitted.
The Enerpac low-height skidding, compact cube jack systems and turntable were supplied and operated by local German distributor Helissen.
“With the cube jacks, low height skidding system and turntable, we were able to complete the vessel cover removal and refitting without any delays. The client’s management complimented us on our quick thinking and problem-solving attitude,” said Chris Huiskens, commercial manager Service & Rental, Hydratight.
