Part 2 of the 2-part article. Click here to read Part 1.
Delivery Stage
RUD's lashing solutions are used to secure wind turbine components during transport. For example, the L-VLBG M36 lashing point is ideal for securing a nacelle.
Jens adds, "When it comes to reliable solutions for safe transport, you can depend on RUD technology. Poor quality load-securing products are the major contributors to accidents in the wind power industry. The cost of a new nacelle or postponing the commissioning of a turbine is costlier than investing in the right load-securing product”. ICE Grade 120 lashings reduce weight while keeping safety paramount. Products such as the ICE-CURT-GAKO ratchet tensioner prevent accidental release, which can happen from vibrations while driving.
Installation Stage
RUD offers custom lifting and handling solutions when installing heavy tower segments and rotor blades. Jens explains, “For lifting and erecting large and heavy tower segments, special attachment points are attached to the flanges of the segment. The RUD T-FRB (FLARIBO) flanged load ring was specially developed for such an application and features a patented thrust bearing washer incorporated into the lateral bearing for 90° loading."
Four FLARIBOs are mounted to the top of the segment and two FLARIBOs to the bottom to erect a tower segment. The segment is then lifted using two cranes and erected in the air. The sling chains move over the deflection rollers of the RUD VIP Chain Block (VCB). The VCB allows load balancing for the segment to be positioned vertically. The flange to flange can then be bolted together. When the four FLARIBOs are removed from the top of the tower segment, the deflection rollers of the VCB prevent the unloaded side of the chain from slipping through and falling.
After the tower is assembled from its individual segments, the next step is to mount the nacelle and hub assembly. "A lifting beam is used to lift the pre-assembled rotor blades for the hub assembly. The lifting beam has two generators and two hydraulic systems, which ensures safe assembly of the hub in the event of a partial failure of the system”.
Operation and Maintenance Stage
It is crucial to ensure personal safety mechanisms are in place while conducting maintenance operations. At such dizzying heights, there is no compromise on risk. The PSA-VRS STARPOINT has been specially developed to secure people by connection with the safety harness.
A RUD PSA-VRS STARPOINT can carry up to two persons, offering the advantage of safe securing of the victim and the rescuer in the event of an incident. The PSA can be rotated 360° and forms a compact securing unit with its special non-removable screw.
“The stainless-steel variant, PSA INOX-STAR, is designed for permanent outdoor use in challenging weather because of its corrosion resistance," says Christiansen.
Decommissioning Stage
Like installation and delivery, the same products can be used during dismantling and removal. For example, the flange load ring T-FRB (FLARIBO) and the VCB can be used to safely lift pipe segments. The L-VLBG M36 lashing load block, ICE-CURT-GAKO ratchet tensioner and ICE 120 lashing chains can be used during loading and transport.
Offshore plant?
Onshore wind turbines require products that are resistant to corrosion and challenging weather. The RUD ROV-HOOK, designed for subsea applications, is the first of its kind that can be operated with only one robot arm of a robot-operated vehicle, handling loads of up to 25 tonnes. Due to its integrated unique locking mechanism, accidental unhooking is impossible, which is a big plus point for safety.
RUD’s products offer safe and efficient applications in a wind turbine's life cycle from planning, production, transport and installation to maintenance and dismantling.
If you are facing challenges in the wind energy industry, RUD can keep your operations safe and efficient. Contact us today for more details on how we can help you.
RUD will be exhibiting at the Crane Industry Lifting Conference - CICA 2023 from 26-28 Oct 2023. Visit us in Booth #27/28 at the Perth Convention Centre to discuss our Lifting and Lashing Solutions for the crane industry.
Article copyright to RUD; this information is accurate at the time of publication and RUD Australia takes no responsibility for any errors, inadvertent or otherwise.
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