Method for moving and aligning heavy device
Method for laterally replacing a heavy component of a plant assembly, the method including disconnecting the heavy component from other components of the plant assembly and from a base plate to which the heavy component is fixed; lifting the heavy component above the base plate with a lifting system provided within the base plate; connecting at least a pair of rails to the base plate, under the lifted heavy component, such that the at least a pair of rails extends at substantially a right angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the heavy component; lowering the heavy component on crawling mechanisms disposed on the at least a pair of rails; and laterally replacing the heavy component from the base plate and the other components of the plant assembly by actuating the crawling mechanisms.
1. A method for laterally replacing a heavy component of a plant assembly, the method comprising:
disconnecting the heavy component from other components of the plant assembly and from a base plate to which the heavy component is fixed;
lifting the heavy component above the base plate with a lifting system provided within the base plate;
connecting at least a pair of removable rails to the base plate, under the lifted heavy component, such that the at least a pair of removable rails extends at substantially a right angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the heavy component;
connecting the at least a pair of removable rails to a trolley disposed next to the base plate such that the at least a pair of removable rails spans between the base plate and the trolley;
displacing the heavy component until the heavy component is above the trolley;
lowering the heavy component on to at least a pair of pads coupled to a crawling mechanism disposed on the at least a pair of removable rails; and
laterally moving the heavy component from the base plate and the other components of the plant assembly by actuating the crawling mechanism, wherein the at least a pair of pads is in direct contact with the removable rails, and are configured to slide directly on the at least a pair of removable rails.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
lifting the heavy component above the removable rail with another lifting system provided on the trolley;
removing the at least a pair of removable rails from the trolley; and
lowering the heavy component on the trolley.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crawling mechanism comprises two active crawling mechanisms and wherein the at least a pair of pads comprises two passive driven pads to the corners of a skid on which the heavy component is placed.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
hydraulically lifting and laterally replacing the heavy component.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heavy component is a gas turbine and the base plate is fixed on a barge.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the gas turbine has a weight between 100 to 250 tons.