East Kentucky Power Plant Demolition

Spurlock Unit No. 1 Backend Equipment

Work Performed: demolition, environmental decommissioning, asbestos abatement, equipment recycling, asset recovery

Project Description

This project consisted of the demolition of the structure known as Unit No. 1 Boiler Outlet of the East Kentucky Power Cooperative H.L. Spurlock Power Station located at 1301 West 2nd Street in Maysville, Kentucky. The structure was multi leveled to a height of 150’-0” above grade, totaling 180,000 sq. ft. and was constructed of structural steel framing, supporting various pieces of equipment.

Project Details

East Kentucky Power Cooperative contracted North American Dismantling Corp. (NADC) to complete the removal of the structure down to the existing slab including environmental decommissioning and asbestos abatement. The demolition included the removal and/or recycling as scrap; the steel framing, all equipment and machinery contained within and all mechanical, electrical and ancillary equipment including ductwork, fans, piping, conduit, steel guard posts and railings. Major equipment included but was not limited to:

  • Electrostatic Precipitator (1) including transformer/rectifiers and controls. (The control enclosure located in the plant is not included);
  • Induced Draft Fans (2) including the fan, 2-speed motor, oil filled speed changer, and lube oil units (4000 volt, 3500/200 Hp, 888/710 RPM);
  • Forced Draft Fans (2) including the fan, 2-speed motor, oil filled speed changer, and lube oil units (400 volt, 1500/100 Hp, 710/590 RPM);
  • Rothemule Regenerative Air Heaters (2);
  • Babcock & Wilcox Tubular Air Heater (1);
  • Sets of Steam Air Heating Coils (Secondary air) (2);
  • Miscellaneous duct sections stored in the lay down area.

This equipment had been in use for approximately 26 years on the flue gas outlet of a coal fire utility boiler firing eastern bituminous coal.

In addition to removing all equipment mentioned above, NADC removed a No. 2 oil fired Combustion Engineering package boiler rated at 110,000 Lb/Hr at 25 PSIG and 455 Deg. F steam outlet temperature, including all auxiliaries such as misc. pumps, fan, and condensate DA/storage tank are to be removed as well.
An ash piping bridge on the west side of the precipitator was required to remain. It was supported by a cantilever off the precipitator support steel. NADC had to modify a portion of the steel in order to adequately support the piping bridge prior to its demolition activities.

Also included as a part of its scope of work, NADC was required to salvage and save the following:

  • Primary Air Fans (2) including the fan, motor, and the lube oil unit;
  • Set of Primary Air Steam Coils (1);
  • Two (2) Bridge cranes located in the precipitator pent houses.

All environmental issues were addressed and abated by EKP prior to the start of NADC’s work. The ducts were vacuum cleaned and the regenerative air heaters were water washed to remove bulk ash by the owner prior to NADC’s work. Storm sewers and catch basins located in the vicinity of the work area were covered with visqueen or filter fabric to prevent any accidental discharge into the storm system.

Because of the potential dust, NADC maintained a misting of water on the areas of the structure being demolished. Wetting the building not only eliminates dust, it also kept the chance of any fire to an absolute minimum.