VERLINDE EUROBLOC VT4 hoist installed at a hydroelectric plant

As part of its installations modernisation programme, SHEM (Société Hydro-Electrique du Midi) has placed an order with MEIJE, an integrator in the EUROPONT network, for a gantry crane to handle hydroelectric turbines at the CAPDENAC plant in the South of France.

After forty years of service, the N°2 hydroelectric plant at Capdenac-Port (Lot administrative department) has been fully modernised, the replacement of 3 x 2MW turbines being a vital part of the project. SHEM (Société Hydro-Electrique du Midi), a GDF SUEZ group allocated more than €6m to carry out this project whose purpose is to modernise plant equipment, upgrade the installations and improve its environment friendliness. Started in 2010, the works will be finalised in 2013.

The enhancement of site operations is a priority for SHEM. The modernisation works are particularly focused on improving machine output and making better use of water from the River Lot. The new turbines will not require oil, so the risk of environmental pollution is eliminated.

MEIJE, a member of the EUROPONT VERLINDE network and integrator for VERLINDE hoists and crane components has dismantled the previous turbine handling gantry crane to replace it with a 17-metric ton capacity gantry crane designed to handle the new but heavier turbines. It will be used to lift the turbines, set side by side,from the water and lay them on the trailer to be taken to the SHEM maintenance shop. Each turbine weighs 15 metric tons. The end of the gantry crane can also be used as a crane jib to lift loads of up to 4 metric tons. It can also be used to remove the cofferdams, vertically inserted watertight partitions that close off the water inflow upstream of the sluice gates.

A radio controlled VERLINDE EUROBLOC VT4 wire rope hoist with load readout is part of the equipment. It integrates a 2-speed hoist motor and a maintenance-free DC disc brake. EUROBLOC VT4 is also fitted with a 4-position limit switch (up, down, high position deceleration, reversed phase protection) and a load limiter as standard equipment. The travelling motor offers variable speeds from 3 to 20m/min.

MEIJE:
MEIJE, a member of the EUROPONT network with a workforce of 30, designs builds and commissions lifting equipment for industry. A maintenance service for electric powered motors and equipment is also provided by the company.

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