New Nuclear Crane at Bruce B

Konecranes has designed and successfully installed a new nuclear crane at the Bruce B Power site in Ontario, the first of four demanding projects that are part of a major initiative to extend the operational life of nuclear reactors by up to 40 years.

The project to build and install the new reactivity deck crane at Bruce’s Unit 6 CANDU pressurized heavy-water reactor was especially challenging. The work took place above the reactor vault roof, which supports the reactivity mechanisms deck for Unit 6. The installation process required expert rigging and lifting techniques to position staging beams over 30 meters in the air, creating a platform for the assembly of the new Konecranes equipment.

The heightened safety requirements of nuclear plants also added complexity, with an installation plan that was around 100 times the documentation of most projects. Discussions for Unit 6 started already in 2017, when the overall agreement for the replacement of the four reactivity deck cranes was booked, and the work was completed in 2023 without any safety incidents, a testament to the team’s expertise and planning.

Key enhancements of the new Unit 6 reactivity deck crane include:

• A new 75-ton main hoist single-failure-proof hoist trolley and a 5-ton auxiliary hoist trolley, both integrated with variable frequency drive for enhanced speed control.
• Operator-focused improvements such as ergonomic seating, joystick controllers and energy-efficient lighting.
• An expanded trolley design that facilitates easier maintenance.
• Up-to-date human safety features to ensure the well-being of workers.
• A centralized lubrication system to streamline maintenance procedures.

“This has been a unique project from the very start, and we especially appreciate the thorough professionalism of Konecranes. Their expertise in rigging and lifting was critical for the successful replacement of the crane, and constructing a staging area at such a height was a remarkable feat,” said Duncan Kennedy, Engineering Lead at Sargent & Lundy, which oversees project controls and asset management at the Bruce Power site.

“No two nuclear crane orders are the same, and this case is certainly proof of that. We’re ready to continue our good work with Bruce Power on the design and installation of the crane for Unit 7 with the same high level of commitment and safety that we have delivered so far,” said Joseph Botros, Konecranes‘ Regional Sales Manager for Nuclear Equipment and Services.

Konecranes has designed and successfully installed a new nuclear crane at the Bruce B Power site in Ontario.

Preparations for replacing Unit 7’s Reactivity Deck Crane are well underway. Factory Acceptance Testing is complete and undergoing client review to ensure performance and design specifications are met. Once reviewed, the crane will be stored until shipment for on-time delivery by year-end. Decommissioning, removal of the old crane and installation of the new one will commence in January 2025, lasting until just before spring to take advantage of lower temperatures for crew safety, as the reactivity deck’s temperature over the vault remains high even when the reactor is offline.

The replacement of Unit 5 and Unit 8’s Reactivity Deck Cranes will follow suit in Q1 of 2026 and 2027.

A strong focus on customers and commitment to business growth and continuous improvement make Konecranes a material handling industry leader. This is underpinned by investments in digitalization and technology, plus our work to make material flows more efficient with solutions that decarbonize the economy and advance circularity and safety.