With cutting edge technology, designed to cover the stock of coal, the dome over one of the two coal deposits yards in Bocamina is already completed, setting a new record for the sector. An objective achieved thanks to a team including more than 500 persons, who worked for more than 1 million hours in building one of the largest engineering works in the world.
Sustainability and innovation are the watchwords for the Enel Group and the Bocamina thermal electric power plant, (478 MW) in operation with its first unit since 1970 in Coronel, has also undertaken this direction. Forming part of a greater plan, which seeks constant improvement in the environmental performance at a global scale, this modern dome was built for coal storage, enabling a reduction in spreading the particulate material from coal into the environment.
With its irregular shape, in order to make the best possible use of the terrain available, the 51 meter high and 203 meter width dome, represents a record for the sector, being the tallest irregular shaped dome in the world of its type, and a true achievement in industrial engineering and infrastructure for Chile.
In its first construction phase, a concrete wall was built and above it, the structure’s skeleton formed by approximately 150,000 parts, including galvanized steel pipes and anodized aluminum connectors. Subsequently, its outside cover was installed covering the dome with insulation panels. This structure may store some 114,000 tons of coal and is the twin of another structure of similar dimensions to be built in the plant’s southern storage sector.
In addition, this dome forms part of a series of important initiatives towards the reduction of the environmental footprint of Bocamina, among which is also included the installation of 21“Johnson” type underwater filters in the ocean, which enable reducing the entry of biomass into the cooling water intake, as well as the implementation of a rainwater treatment system.
The sustainable plant management and the new dome structure are a source of pride for all those who have contributed their experience allowing both of the Bocamina units to operate with the best possible degree of performance currently available.