The giant crane, Big Carl, has completed a significant milestone at Hinkley Point C by lifting the third and final liner ring.
- The 423-tonne steel liner ring is now in place on the second reactor building, marking a crucial step in its construction.
- This liner ring is part of the inner containment wall, set to be encased in concrete, and supports the polar crane beam.
- Big Carl, designed by Sarens, has been on-site for over five years, lifting loads up to 5,000 tonnes.
- Following this achievement, the project’s next milestone is the dome lift scheduled for the next year.
The completion of the third and final liner ring lift by Big Carl at Hinkley Point C signifies an essential progression in the reactor building’s construction. The 423-tonne steel liner ring, standing 11.6 metres high and 47 metres in diameter, was lifted into place on the 14th of October. This strategic installation will form a fundamental part of the inner containment wall for one of the site’s nuclear reactors.
The liner ring, fabricated on-site, is engineered to integrate with supporting brackets designed for the polar crane beam. Once fully operational, this internal crane will rotate 360 degrees above the reactor, facilitating the refuelling process. The ring’s placement sets the stage for the subsequent encasing of it in two layers of concrete, thereby enhancing the structural integrity of the containment wall.
Big Carl, officially known as the Sarens SGC-250, is a remarkable engineering feat in its own right. With a nominal capacity to lift 5,000 tonnes, it was custom-built for the Hinkley Point C project. Originally contracted for four years at a cost of £20m, its deployment has endured over five years, reflecting its pivotal role in the construction timeline.
The reactor building now awaits the placement of its ‘lid’, with the dome lift anticipated in the forthcoming year. Notably, the first reactor building reached a similar stage in December 2023, with its dome successfully lifted and the reactor installation projected for completion later this year. This ongoing progression underscores the meticulous planning and execution required in constructing such a complex infrastructure.
The triumphant lift of the third ring by Big Carl at Hinkley Point C marks a significant milestone, propelling the project towards its next phase.
