The world’s third largest xylene splitter column was transported and positioned by leading specialist integrated service provider Singapore-based Tiong Woon using a Terex CC 8800-1 lattice boom crawler crane. The work was carried out for client SK E&C, an international engineering, procurement and construction contractor working at Jurong Aromatics Corporation’s (JAC) complex in Jurong Island Singapore. Tiong Woon has one of the largest crane fleets in the world and is a leading player for cranes with capacities of 1,600 tonnes and above.
Weighing 1,147 tonnes and measuring 108 metres tall, the xylene splitter was transported and then lifted into position using the 1,600 tonne CC 8800-1 crawler crane working in tandem with a 2,400 tonne capacity, 120 metre tall tower lift system of Tiong Woon’s own development. The giant column was lifted by the gantry tower lift system with the CC 8800-1 used as the tailing crane. The CC 8800-1 had a 54 metre main boom in SSL configuration.
The column is part of Jurong Aromatics Corporation (JAC) S$2.9 billion project constructing one of Asia’s largest petrochemical plants. When completed in 2014, the complex will process 4.5 million tonnes per annum of condensate feedstock producing 1.44 million tonnes per annum of aromatics - chemicals that go into products such as nylon and polyester - consisting of 800,000 tonnes of paraxylene, 200,000 tonnes of orthoxylene and 400,000 tonnes of benzene as well as 2.5 million tonnes of oil products per annum. JAC said the plant’s entire output has been pre-sold for the next seven years.
As well as carrying out the lift and transportation, Tiong Woon also designed and constructed a temporary roll-on, roll-off jetty on Jurong Island as well as the temporary road works and modifications for the transportation from the jetty to the installation site. This included the modification of the road access including the removal and replanting of 300 trees along the route.
Because of the weights involved, the ground had to be prepared prior to the lift. Piles were driven into the ground, a concrete slab was put above them and solid timber mat was then laid on top of the concrete base for the foundation of the tower lift system which included four sets of base rail beams.
The lift was completed over two days. On the first evening the column was lifted to a height of about 24 metres and this continued and completed over the second day.
Tiong Woon also used several other cranes to complete the contract including its 600 tonne capacity Terex CC 2800-1 with 66 metre main boom and 78 metre luffing jib used to erect and dismantle the upper structure of the tower system. A 300 tonne capacity Terex CC 1800 with 42 metre main boom was used to erect the base. Tiong Woon also transported the mega column from the temporary jetty using two sets of 16 axle, side by side SPMTs (self-propelled modular transports) with turntables. The nine km journey took eight hours on public roads.
Tiong Woon is also involved in transporting, lifting and installing more than 60 other items of equipment for the JAC project using both its Terex CC 2800-1, Terex CC 1800 crawler cranes and the SPMTs.
Ang Kah Hong, Tiong Woon’s Group Chairman and Managing Director said: “We are privileged to be part of the team to contribute towards the successful completion of this project. It was indeed a challenging task. However, as a one-stop heavy haulage and lifting solutions provider to the oil and gas and petrochemical industries, we have the experience and expertise to meet this challenge for our client effectively.”
Tiong Woon has also invested in 12 new Terex mobile cranes ranging from 100 to 700 tonnes capacity this year making it the largest owner of Terex cranes in South East Asia.
This story also appears on Crane Equipment Guide.
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