Replacing Suface Condenser

[starfarooq]

One of the surface condensers (for steam turbine) have completed its service life and we want to replace it by a new one. The weight of the condenser is 105 tons and its surrounded by structure and piping on three sides and over the top. To remove it,the only possible option to pull it from one free side only. Now our idea is to place cradles (02 ) below it and the cradles will be supported by roller skates. Once this arrangement will be in place, we can transfer its load from foundation pedestals to the roller skates and move it outside towards the free end. Please advice if we can do it in this way? If yes what capacity roller skates would you suggest for it (and how much number).

 

[rmw]

Yes and many a condenser (or condenser bundle) much larger than yours has been moved by this method. The 'roller skates' you are looking for can be found at:

http://www.hilmanrollers.com/Products/Products Home Page/products.html

You may have to design (or have a competent Engineering firm design) your own 'cradle' with which to utilize the rollers.

rmw

 

[starfarooq]

RMW,

Thanks for the comments. It seems that you have some previous experience of doing such job. There are two options with us:
1. Heavy duty casters (up to 20 Tons each capacity, which max. capacity available in the market)
2. Roller Skates

Each have its own advantage and disadvantage. The casters have the advantage of relatively bigger wheel diameter (minimum chance of sticking in the floor while dragging). But the disadvantage is the lower capacity (one caster has the maximum 20 ton capacity)

The roller skates have the advantage of very high load bearing capacity, but the disadvantage is the smaller diameter of rollers which makes it prone to sticking with floor while dragging.

Which option should be preferred now?

 

[rmw]

Use the "roller skates" and lay down some thick steel plate to put on the floor for the rollers to roll on. By thick I mean something between 1/2" to 1" (12mm - 25mm). Do some quick calcs to figure that out. If it were me, I'd just pick 1" plate and get it done.

Alternatively, if you can jack the condenser high enough, use some inverted channel for the skates to roll in. This assumes that you have a straight run to get it to a place where it can be lifted - if you have to turn it while rolling it then you are back to plate.

Good luck,

rmw

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Verify that your floor can carry these loads.

 

[Compositepro]

There are contractors that specialize in this kind of work and already have the rollers and plates.