31.07.

2012

Spectacular roof air raising operation

accomplished!
How to lift a 600-tonne steel dome from the ground level 42 meters
high, which is comparable to the height of 15-floor building?
Perhaps one should use a crane? Wrong answer. Maybe using
special ropes? Incorrect again. Then, perchance by means of
compressed air? Exactly! On 27 July 2012 this method was applied
to raise the roof on the first liquefied natural gas storage tank in the
LNG terminal constructed in winoujcie. This was the first
operation of this kind not only in Poland, but also in the entire
region of Central Europe. Two tanks - 42 m high and 80 meters in
diameter, holding up to 160 thousand m3 of LNG each, reflect the
scale of the operation.
This operation is considered one of the greatest moments for both the Consortium implementing the project, and for us as the Investor.
We have been looking forward to this day since the very beginning
of works on site. LNG storage tanks are the most important and
consequently the most demanding objects in the whole installation
referred to as the LNG Terminal. We feel proud that this operation
was carried out professionally and safely. We ought not to rest on
our laurels, though, as another challenges, perhaps not so much
spectacular, but equally important for the success of the investment are still ahead", said Rafa Wardziski,
President of Polskie LNG SA.

The roof of the LNG storage tank holding 160 thousand m3 was raised on the airbag, consisting in a
controlled change in air pressure generated under the roof dome. The whole operation lasted exactly 188
minutes. The roof was lifted with a speed of approximately 20 cm / min. The total weight of the roof is 600
tonnes, which is comparable with roughly three Boeing 747 aircrafts. Its surface equals the area of more
than two "Orlik" football pitches and amounts to 4717 sq. m. Six blowers were used for lifting operations,
of which two were spare. It might seem that raising such a huge construction requires high-performance

tonnes, which is comparable with roughly three Boeing 747 aircrafts. Its surface equals the area of more
than two "Orlik" football pitches and amounts to 4717 sq. m. Six blowers were used for lifting operations,
of which two were spare. It might seem that raising such a huge construction requires high-performance
blowers. Nothing could be more erroneous! Blowers with similar parameters are used in inflatable roofs
over tennis courts in winter season.

The speed of roof raising operation was controlled in two ways. The first involved regulation of blowers
valves. The second method consisted in regulating the flow of air under the roof with air pressure relief
valve. The horizontal position of the roof during raising operation was maintained by means of the leveling
system composed of 26 steel ropes, each of 16 mm in diameter. Prior to lifting, the roof had been balanced
with a special ballast mitigating the load differences of the equipment suspended underneath the roof.
When the roof reached its designed position 42 meters above the ground, it was fixed to the compression
ring by means of mounting brackets with wedges and further it was welded to the ring. The blowers were
stopped as soon as 90% of the circumferential roof welding had been completed.

Approximately 60 employees were directly involved in roof lifting operation. In early August an identical
procedure will be conducted on the second tank. "This means that the work will be completed with a minor
deviation from the schedule considering the scale of the investment, assuming that both roofs were to be
raised by the end of July. Considering the complex nature of such operations, complicatedness of processes
conducted simultaneously at the investment site and the problems faced by the entire construction sector,
this accomplishment must be considered a great success of the consortium implementing the project and the
Investor - Polskie LNG", added Rafa Wardziski.
Following the installation of the steel dome roof, the reinforced concrete walls of the LNG storage tank will
be lined with steel sheets, serving as gas-tight insulation. Subsequently, the inner tank made of 9% nickel
steel will be assembled.

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