World Class Approach by Liberty Industrial Delivers Two Safe and Successful Explosive Events in Gove, NT

World Class Approach by Liberty Industrial Delivers Two Safe and Successful Explosive Events in Gove, NT

NHULUNBUY, Australia — As work continues at the site of the Gove Refinery Closure Project, two successful explosive events took place in the span of three weeks, resulting in the safe explosive demolition of the Liquor Purification Modules (SLC Units) and two Calciners without disruption to the adjacent export conveyors.

As part of the ongoing and largest demolition project in Australia’s history underway in Gove, NT, Liberty Industrial has utilised its inhouse engineering and explosives expertise, leading safety industry practices and proprietary ASI Extreme Loading software, to deliver two precise explosive demolition blast events.

“In close partnership with the Rio Tinto Gove Closure Project team, Liberty Industrial has worked tirelessly over the past 12 months in preparation for these two blast events, delivering world-class planning, bespoke demolition methodologies and pre-weakening activities, to deliver two safe and successful blast events.” Simon Gill, Director, Liberty Industrial.

One of the challenges faced during the early stages was sourcing the accurate structural data required to undertake the in-depth engineering and modelling necessary to provide a safe and effective blast plan without impacting the live site. Whilst utilising existing, incomplete structural drawings and models, Liberty Industrial deployed laser scanning to accurately generate a point cloud model that replicated the actual as-built structure coupled physical onsite inspections to verify the size of critical members to support the outcomes of the scanning.

The proximity of the export conveyors was a critical consideration when developing our methodology. Utilising our inhouse engineering and explosives team, supported with SpaceGASS modelling for structural stability at the pre-weakening stage, and our ASI Extreme Loading Software to develop and refine the induced collapse method and to show the accurate collapse mechanism and resulting debris pile upon initiation of explosives.

Contact

Explosive Event 1 - Liquor Purification Modules (SLC) on June 23rd, 2024

The first of the structures to be demolished were the SLC units, designed and constructed symmetrically using modular steel frames, measuring 47.9m high, 13.4m wide and 41.3m long. Preparation for their explosive demolition has been underway since April, using methods such as Oxy Cutting, wire rope pulling techniques and mechanical demolition.

For the SLC Units demolition plans, Liberty Industrial’s engineers managed to utilise the incomplete original structure drawings and design loading drawings, coupled with laser scanning to complete the cloud point structural model, allowing us to then verify the data by undertaking physical inspections of the structures.

Four braces providing stability during the pre- weakening phase of the works were severed using Eight Linear Shaped Charges (LSC), immediately followed by initiation of 75kg of explosives to displace the 24 columns resulting in the structures, weighing approximately 2,500t combined, to be brought to ground simultaneously.

Explosive Event 2 - Calciners 6 and 7 on July 7th, 2024

Simultaneously, the preparation of the demolition of the Calciners took place, including engineering, planning, modelling, procurement and pre-weakening activities. Also located in proximity to the export conveyor within the Refinery, the Calciner Units were identical, each measuring 49.8m high, 21m wide and 39.2m long.

After decontamination, each Calciner was structurally separated to create four standalone structures, to ensure they had sufficient clear drop zone for rotation of each structure during explosive demolition. Pre-weakening with advanced Oxy Cutters supported removal of the heavier structural plant, equipment and steel members. Liberty Industrial then deployed its fleet of high reach demolition excavators to mechanically create the required separation and the finally removing all non-critical structural members in preparation for installation of the blast plates, explosives and sandbags.

Secure inside the 500m exclusion zone, approximately 80kg of explosive charges detonated to displace 26 columns, bringing both structures to ground, with a combined weight of approximately 3,700t.

integrated capability responsible decommissioning

decommissioning closure and asset liability consulting

consulting risk management engineered solutions 3d simulation

and simulation liberty modelling dismantling and asset

dismantling and asset recovery synchronised safety

deconstruction resource recovery and recycling expert delivery

high expert industrial delivery reach consulting

expert delivery high reach explosive induced collapse

collapse specialised contracting decontamination

decontamination cleaning remediation environmental stewards

stewards risk mitigation and management waste disposal

How can we help you?

Whether it's a project you would like to discuss, an idea you would like to ponder, or perhaps you're just keen to learn more. We'd love to hear from you!

Get in touch

Search Liberty Industrial