Dismantling of a CHP plant at an LNG terminal in Belgium

Project description

On behalf of a valued partner, DCC carried out the complex dismantling and full demolition of a large-scale combined heat and power plant (CHP). The big challenge of this project? The plant was located in the middle of an operational, high-threshold Seveso site in Belgium. This called for extremely meticulous work preparation, a strict scope definition and an uncompromising focus on safety, health and environment (SHE).

The challenge & scope

The project was characterised by a clear three-way division of responsibilities and ownership between our client and the terminal operator. DCC was responsible for the full demolition of both segments:

• Our client’s plant section: including the gas turbine enclosure, the gas heating installation and the step-up transformer.
• The terminal operator’s infrastructure: including the flue gas duct, the prominent stack and the 150-tonne quench tower.

Our approach: safety as the foundation

Working on an active Seveso gas plant means there is absolutely no room for trial and error. Every risk was fully mapped out and eliminated in advance through:

• Detailed step-by-step plans & TRAs: well ahead of the start of every critical phase – such as lifting the heavy generator and the challenging demolition of the stack and quench tower – we drew up client-specific method statements and Task Risk Analyses (TRA).
• Cold cutting: to rule out any risk of fire or explosion on the terminal, we consistently applied the technique of ‘cold cutting’ to all pipework.
• Asbestos and RCF remediation: before mechanical demolition began, the asbestos and refractory ceramic fibre (RCF) insulation present was safely remediated under strict monitoring and in accordance with the strictest legislation.
• Infrastructure protection: to relieve the surrounding gravel zones and underground routes, we set up the site with heavy driving plates and special wind-resistant barriers.

A sustainable result

Thanks to flawless coordination, the project was delivered successfully and entirely incident-free. All underground foundations were removed well below ground level as agreed. The site was fully levelled and neatly finished with crushed stone, leaving the location immediately ready for future use. All released materials, metals and residual streams were strictly separated at source, weighed and disposed of in an environmentally friendly way for recycling.