Cooling Tower
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Client:
Maxarn
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Location:
Puertollano, Spain
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Scope of Works:
Structural effects study
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Project Data:
May 2018
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Project Status:
Demolished
“The project consists of analyzing the structural implications of the preparatory activities preceding the demolition of the cooling tower at the Elcogas plant.”
The cooling tower of the former Elcogas combined cycle gasification plant in Puertollano (Ciudad Real) was demolished in a blasting operation that forms part of the dismantling works of the industrial complex. The site has been acquired by Ence for the development of a biomass-fired power plant.
© Mecanismo Ingeniería
© Mecanismo Ingeniería
The tower, 122 meters high, 86 meters wide at its base, and with a lower basin capacity of 13,500 cubic meters, imploded following the controlled detonation of 125 kilograms of dynamite and 466 microcharges distributed across the 56 pillars of the structure.
Between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., the State Security Forces and Corps established a 1,200-meter safety perimeter around the plant.
The demolition works of the large cooling tower involved the participation of the companies Recifemetal and Maxam.
In order to minimize the typical risks associated with this type of blasting, a metal mesh and a geotextile covering were used to prevent debris projection. Additionally, 50 dust collectors were activated simultaneously with the detonation, generating water curtains up to 70 meters high to contain the dust and reduce the environmental impact in the surrounding area, according to Elcogas.
As a control measure, and to ensure that no subsequent effects occurred, seismographs and microphones were also installed near the plant to record seismic and acoustic waves, respectively.
