The World Demolition Award-winning project
23 November 2022
On 31 July 2021 personnel from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) witnessed the demolition of a 182 m (600 ft) smokestack and 10 boilers and precipitators at Johnsonville Fossil Plant in Tennessee. They were the last remaining elements of TVA’s oldest coal-fired power facility.
Brandenburg Industrial Service Company started plant demolition in 2019. It began with the abatement of 10 boilers and the concurrent demolition of outbuildings as well as the removal of the turbines, turbine hall and all marine features.
Strip-out was essential because the boiler structure had to have the lower 11.3m (37 ft) clear of equipment and piping to facilitate the implosion of all 10 units. Demolition/abatement took place adjacent to a functional switchyard, water treatment building and tanks, while access to the treatment plant had to be maintained at all times.
Live utilities surrounded and ran through the site. Coordination with water navigational vessels was critical as the work required use of a 300 t crawler crane with a 97 m (320 ft) boom to remove two large barge unloaders.
Demolition was completed on time and on budget and Brandenburg’s efforts facilitated the recycling of approximately 100,000 t of steel and about 100,000 t of brick, block and concrete. The 150 Brandenburg professionals completed the 34-month project in 550,000 man hours.
The final implosion was marked by a statement from TVA’s vice president for major projects, Roger Waldrep: “Safety is our primary mission, and I’d like to thank the team who was able to complete this portion of the project without any issues.”