Stromag's Advanced Braking System for the World’s Tallest Ship Lift
Introduction
The Goupitan reservoir, situated on the Wujiang River in Guizhou province, China, is home to one of the tallest dams in the world, standing at a height of 232.5 meters. It also houses a massive hydroelectric power station with a capacity of 3,000 MW. To facilitate the smooth and swift movement of boats and small ships past the dam, the Guizhou Wujiang Hydropower Development Company required a large and effective lift lock.
The Innovative Three-Stage Lifting System
The Changjiang Institute of Survey developed a system that consists of three stages, each lifting vessels weighing up to 1,800 tons to a height of 79 meters. This decision to break the lifting process into stages maximizes efficiency and avoids congestion. The lift system can accommodate up to three vessels at a time, with each stage having its own gate and ship chamber. The elevators feature two rows of hoist cable drums and gearboxes on either side of the boat-lifting reservoir, allowing for a lifting speed of 8 meters per minute. This means that a 500-ton vessel can be raised or lowered in just 10 minutes, significantly reducing travel time past the dam.
The Braking Solution Challenge
The construction of this complex engineering project required a braking solution that could withstand heavy weights and fit into limited spaces. Stromag, one of Altra Industrial Motion Corps' leading brands, was chosen by the Changjiang Institute of Survey to supply the braking systems for this ambitious project. With its expertise in power transmission components and experience in ship lifting applications, Stromag has been involved in similar projects in China, such as the Strépy-Thieu boat lift and the Silin, Shatuo, and Yantan dams. Michel Donnay, Plant Director of Stromag's French facility, stated that China is a challenging but significant market for ship lifting, and their involvement in some of the largest ship elevators attests to the quality of their equipment.
Stromag's SH32 Hydraulic Disc Brake Solution
Stromag worked closely with the Changjiang Institute of Survey and the end-user, Guizhou Wujiang Hydropower Development Company, to analyze the requirements and find the most suitable braking system. They ultimately chose the SH32 hydraulic disc brake, which is specifically designed for heavy-duty lifting, with a maximum braking force of 334kN. The compact design of these brakes makes them ideal for applications with limited space, and they are easy to operate and maintain.
To enhance the braking system's performance, Stromag coupled the SH32 brakes with hydraulic power packs featuring touch-screen control interfaces. This combination allows the control system to apply braking forces in a controlled, progressive manner, ensuring optimal performance and maximum equipment service life.
Engineering Partnership
Due to the project's scale, the vertical locking mechanism required more than twice the number of brakes compared to other ship lifts previously supplied by Stromag in China. To meet the demand and keep the project on schedule, Stromag's engineering teams in China and France collaborated to manufacture and test the products within a short timeframe. This close cooperation allowed them to complete the project in just twelve months.
In addition to delivering top-of-the-line equipment, Stromag also offers continuous engineering support and training for ship lift operators to understand and maintain their braking systems. They also have specialized teams available for inspections, maintenance, repairs, and renovations to ensure the SH32 brakes and hydraulic power packs have an extended service life.
Conclusion
The slipway at Goupitan Dam was completed in 2017 and is now the tallest in the world. With the constant flow of boat traffic on the Wujiang navigation channel, the infrastructure must operate smoothly to avoid delays and congestion. The SH32 brakes, designed for heavy-duty lifting, provide an efficient and reliable solution that contributes to the optimal performance of the ship elevator at Goupitan Dam.
HVH Industrial Solutions is an authorized distributor of Stromag and we offer a wide range of their brakes. We work closely with their engineering team to provide superior customer service and engineering support.
If you have any questions, write to us via live chat or call or send us a quote request. Our team is always ready to help you.
Stromag SH32 Hydraulic Brake Catalog
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