Case study: How Bolina debris booms are helping critical infrastructure operators in Germany

Debris booms are important tools for keeping debris away from critical infrastructure, such as hydropower plants, desalination plants, dams, weirs just to name a few. They can be used to prevent large pieces of debris from entering and causing damage, or to collect smaller pieces of debris that can clog up the machinery and reduce efficiency.

Bolina debris booms are a crucial part of keeping critical infrastructure in Germany clean and efficient

Background

This case study takes an up-close look at the progress achieved on one particular hydropower project for an operator located in Germany. Hydropower plants continue to play a key role in modern energy infrastructure. They provide clean, renewable power that can be used to meet a variety of needs.

Renewable energy is a vital factor in battling climate change, as well as reducing our reliance on non-renewables. Investing in renewable resources has the potential to revolutionize sustainable living and propel us into a cleaner future.

However, like any other type of critical infrastructure, hydropower plants require regular cleaning and maintenance to function at their best. One key component of this maintenance is ensuring that debris doesn’t enter the plant and cause damage or clog up the machinery. This is where debris booms come in.

Problem

A German client in Bavaria had a major debris problem at their hydroelectric power plant. They experienced a hazardous challenge with build-up of debris on their trash rack cleaner, endangering turbine performance. An intervention was essential to maintain the power plant’s efficiency and output.

We went to visit the plant to analyze how much build-up was occurring, allowing us to determine the optimum solution for their requirements. A robust and effective debris solution was essential to reduce the load on the trash rack cleaner.

Solution

After detailed inspection of the area and additional information from the client, we engineered a bespoke solution perfectly tailored to the client’s needs.

Our solution leveraged the Bolina Permanent Debris Boom (PDB600) for its exceptionally well-proven design with a unique flush end side, reducing the burden on the existing trash rack cleaner. The 54 meter boom creates a reliable layer of protection upstream to safeguard operations.

Additionally, the boom has specially designed and custom made end connections that allow for the ability to adjust and maintain proper debris control despite water variation.

Our full-service capabilities provide comprehensive support throughout a project’s full lifecycle. For this particular project, we pre-assembled the booms to ensure a smooth installation, save time and maximize efficiency.

End result

The client has been extremely satisfied with the debris boom solution that we proposed. The Bolina Permanent Debris Boom (PDB600) has greatly improved operations, successfully mitigating strain on the trash rack cleaner.

And what’s more, we have been fortunate enough to have another client who chose the same debris boom solution after visiting the Bavarian plant.

Conclusion

The Bolina Permanent Debris Boom (PDB600) has been especially effective in this regard due to its unique flush end side, which allows debris build-up on the trash rack cleaner to be reduced, resulting in improved operational efficiency and decreased maintenance costs.

Our debris booms provide a reliable and effective solution to ensure the continued protection of important critical infrastructure. With their special design, these products are an invaluable asset in maintaining optimal operation levels.

For more information or to order a fit-for-purpose boom, visit bolinabooms.com/contact-us today!

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FURTHER INFORMATION

The Bolina PDB600 datasheet can be downloaded on the product page: Bolina PDB.
For other critical infrastructure related blogposts, click here.
More about climate change and how we can help, published in Smart Water Magazine.