Hydrodemolition tackles extreme cold and deep concrete removal at Canadian hydropower project

About the Project

The Keeyask Generation Project is a 695-megawatt hydroelectric generating station being constructed on the lower Nelson River, more than 400 miles north of Winnipeg. The project has faced several location-specific challenges, including a frozen 24-inch pipe in the intake that damaged an 8-foot-thick concrete pier in 2017.

The Challenge

The damaged section needed to be removed and re-poured, requiring a specialized contractor with experience and equipment to overcome environmental and logistical challenges. Water Blasting & Vacuum Services Inc., a Canadian industrial cleaning specialist, secured the contract based on a plan that provided efficiency and recycled nearly 80% of the water.

Company Background

Water Blasting & Vacuum Services began operations over three decades ago, providing household cleaning products before branching out to include high-pressure cleaning services for industrial, municipal, and commercial entities. The company's focus on employee safety and innovative solutions led them to explore robotic options, including Hydrodemolition machines from Aquajet.

The Solution

Water Blasting & Vacuum Services proposed a revolutionary solution using the Aquajet EcoClear water filtration system and an Aqua Cutter 710V. The EcoClear system would treat and recycle the water, minimizing environmental impact and reducing costs. The company's experience and expert logistics allowed them to present a plan that promised maximum productivity while protecting the environment.

Project Details

The project involved removing 140 cubic meters of concrete from a pier that was 8 feet thick, 40 feet wide, and 30 feet tall. The contractor used a spreader bar and additional tower sections to maximize the Hydrodemolition robot's reach and employed a closed loop system to recycle the water. The project was completed in 53 days, with the EcoClear system processing over 1.3 million gallons of water.

Results

Water Blasting & Vacuum Services successfully completed the demolition without disrupting the timeline of the overall project. The company's innovative solution and expert execution pushed the boundaries of Hydrodemolition, and they plan to continue expanding their experience with cutting-edge equipment from Aquajet.