The CREG hard rock TBM being used on China’s Funing pumped storage power station tunnel project celebrated a successful breakthrough on Oct. 24, 2022. The 9.53m diameter CREG machine completed a challenging portion of the project that included a tight 90m radius curved drive.
To overcome construction challenges, including a high compressive strength of rock, high quartz content and small radius curves, CREG customized the large-diameter hard rock TBM. The TBM was designed for a minimum curve radius of 90m and a maximum gradient of 9.02%. With a small radius tunnel belt conveyor and support system, the TBM is able to achieve efficient excavation, stable mucking and rapid support.
Since its launch on Oct. 25, 2021, the TBM has excavated a total of 2225.8m, during which six extremely tight curves with a radius of 100m and one with a radius of 90m were completed, achieving a maximum monthly advance of 303m and a maximum daily advance of 21.7m.
The total installed capacity of the Funing pumped storage power station is 1200MW. It will alleviate the significant peak-time issues on the power grid in the northern area of the Hebei Province.
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