Sarens completes two-day heavy lift operation in Aalst
Heavy lift and engineered transport specialist Sarens was hired to lift an evaporator and separator along with several smaller pieces necessary for operations at the Tereos Starch & Sweeteners Europe facility in Aalst, Belgium.
The lifts were completed within a tight timeframe and challenging conditions. The project, which involved manoeuvring heavy equipment in a small area in the centre of the city, required meticulous planning and execution.
The busy and overcrowded location, along with the lively city environment, required collaboration with local authorities, such as the police, to guarantee that the surrounding area was not significantly affected. Additionally, wind limitations introduced an added level of intricacy, demanding continuous supervision and adaptation to ensure the safety of the operation.
The task of lifting the heaviest piece of equipment, which weighs 150 T and needed to be elevated over 50 metres high, was very challenging. To handle such massive components within a limited space, Sarens decided to use one crane with a luffing jib from its France department, another 450 T crane from the Netherlands, and two additional cranes with a luffing jib.
The equipment was rigged using more than 20 transports. The mobilisation and demobilisation of equipment took around two days each. Additionally, the installation of the luffer jibs proved challenging due to the limited space, requiring precise engineering skills and careful coordination, Sarens said.
The transportation of the evaporator and separator, along with the smaller pieces, was facilitated by vessels, particularly navigating through small canals to reach the destination safely. The lifts were completed in two days.
