Underwater Construction Corporation has been providing specialized commercial diving and marine construction services for over 50 years. Multiple industries turn to UCC’s experience and expertise in power plant intake inspection and maintenance when difficult tasks arise. Recently, UCC completed another challenging project which utilized the company’s excellence in innovation, project planning, equipment, procedures and most importantly – safety.
UCC completed a long tunnel inspection utilizing remote operated vehicles (ROV) and a dive team during a scheduled inspection at a Midwest power plant. Comprehensive condition assessments and other preventative maintenance task items were performed. Review of real time inspection video footage, including review of cross-sectional sonar measurements, showed a significant amount of debris located within the 96” plant intake pipeline system. Immediately following the inspection results UCC began project planning, budgetary development and dive profiles to mobilize a deep water dive team and began the debris removal process.
The plant intake system composed of a 140’ vertical riser from ground level to the 90 degree elbow of the pipeline. From there the pipeline extended 3500’ to the surface water intake structure. Deep water dive specialists included safety oversight accompanied the dive team to proceduralize the diving activities and profiles. The scope of work outlined multiple divers to remove accumulated debris from the internal pipeline from the elbow working their way to the surface water intake. Approximately 500 cubic yards of debris was removed via diver assisted dredging operations through a multitude of custom dredge pumps to the processing area over a half mile away. Out of 346 total dives performed, 131 deep water recompression dives were completed to remove the accumulated debris.
Zero equipment failures and zero safety incidents resulted in another UCC water power plant intake project success.
Benefits of Plant Intake Inspection and Preventative Maintenance
Regularly inspecting and maintaining your plant’s intake can help ensure that it is operating at its designed level and that it is protected from potential damage or restrictions. Additional benefits of plant intake inspection and preventative maintenance include:
• Extended equipment lifespan – inspecting your plant’s intake allow you to identify and resolve potential problems before they become major issues, preventing costly repairs
• Debris accumulation/blockages and its removal/processing
• Structure integrity and its repair and maintenance
• Fish protection: installation, repair and/or maintenance of cooling water intake systems to meet or exceed 316b regulation for fish impingement and entrainment
With more than 50 years of plant intake expertise, our team of experienced professionals can implement all aspects of plant intake inspection and maintenance. We have a proven track record of success in completing complex plant intake projects of all sizes, using the latest technology and techniques to ensure that power plants are operating at their optimal level. Reach out today and let’s discuss your plant intake needs.
Contact Us About Our Plant Intake Services
As the largest inland commercial diving services company in the United States, Underwater Construction Corporation and its staff of over 200 divers, supervisors and project managers operate from multiple regional locations in Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Texas, South Carolina and the United Kingdom. Through our global network of offices and associates, UCC has performed projects in over 25 countries. Every job, no matter the size, receives the professionalism customers expect from UCC.
If you have questions regarding plant intake services, fill out the form on this page or contact us at any one of our numerous locations.