Costain completes complex Connah’s Quay cooling tower work ahead of schedule

Costain has completed packing upgrades on the Connah’s Quay power station in North Wales ahead of schedule through methods including use of remote control diggers.

Cooling tower packing is material used to enable evaporative cooling to take place and heat to transfer out of the station.

A statement from the contractor said that its work at the gas-fired station in Flintshire was particularly challenging because its cooling towers are constructed in concrete cubes.

The company was tasked with removing heavily contaminated PVC packing from the towers and replacing it in 10 individual cooling cells.

Its approach included using remote control ‘bobcat’ diggers in areas where there was a potential collapse of structural supports, in order to reduce safety risks to workers.

Costain was given 33 days to complete the project and finished three days ahead of schedule. This was down to meticulous planning and organising of the works, done in collaboration with client Uniper, in according to the contractor.

The PVC was recycled for use elsewhere in the construction industry, Costain said.

Costain energy sector director Laura Hughes said the company was one of “very few” equipped to carry out such a complex task.

Uniper plant manager at Connah’s Quay Ant Landers said: “A clean and efficient cooling water system is a critical component in optimising the use of natural resources in the generation process. The work carried out by Costain was part of the ongoing maintenance program of the power station’s cooling water system, ensuring Connah’s Quay continues to operate efficiently when needed.

“It was a pleasure to work with Costain on this project. The close cooperation between our two companies ensured that we were able to complete the work safely and to budget which is no small achievement, given the magnitude of the project.”

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