Unic crawler for Magnox

Nuclear site management contractor Magnox has used its new Unic URW-706 mini spider crane to carry out decommissioning work at Torness Power Station, UK.

Magnox is owned by Cavendish Fluor Partnership. The owner of the power station is the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). The URW-706 has a 6 tonne capacity when working at a radius of 3 metres and a height of 7.2 m. When configured with a searcher hook and a 3.1 m long fly jib maximum hook height is 22.7 m.

Work at the Torness Power Station for the Unic spider crane included decommissioning a primary containment within the Steam Generating Heavy Water Reactor (SGHWR). Tasks included removing floors and working with another crane to dismantle high level pipe work, valves and mini platforms.

To begin lifting operations the crane was stripped down and lowered through a hole in the floor. It was then rebuilt, ready to carry out its work.

Kevin McIntyre, project manager, said, “We often have to work in very tight spaces on nuclear sites; the UNIC-706 is perfect for us because of its lifting power and compact size. Having this machine in our fleet means we can work more efficiently and keep our sites running safely.”