Equipment: Heat Destroyer
Industry: Chemical
Country: Spain

Problem: Thermal cycles caused the chambers to expand longitudinally. However, the blocking of the skates prevented them from recovering their position, resulting in the detachment of the fixed support from its pedestal over time, and subsequently breaking the anchor bolts.

Solution: To address this, the stability of the supports and their sliding ability needed to be restored, along with reinforcing the concrete pedestals, all while the equipment remained in operation. It was essential to determine a new initial position to release the accumulated tensions from forced couplings.

The process began by manufacturing new skids (with a stainless-steel plate and Teflon counter-plate) specifically designed to enhance the original design. To ensure compatibility with the equipment’s operation, a provisional support system was devised to remove the old skids and replace them with the new ones.

One by one, the six skids were repaired while the pedestal area was reinforced with epoxy grout and steel pins to ensure solidarity with the existing concrete. Once the skids were repaired, the fixed pedestal underwent maintenance, including the replacement of damaged anchor bolts and reinforcement of the concrete.