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Nuclear Market

Innovation that sets a new standard for what's possible.

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Our team of nuclear experts includes personnel with backgrounds from both the construction and operations sides of the nuclear industry.

Every component in every plant has a finite lifespan.

Over the last three decades, Barnhart has built an impressive nuclear project resumé. Our team of nuclear experts includes personnel with backgrounds from both the construction and operations sides of the nuclear industry. Barnhart's experience has brought the kind of innovative design and execution that makes money in reducing critical path during outages and improving ALARA in handling components in containment.


ENGINEERED LIFTING SOLUTIONS

The unique nature of nuclear power plants presents opportunities:

  • RPV closure head handling
  • Spent fuel pool handling crane replacements and repair support
  • Replacement of fully-assembled main transformers and component replacements such as MSR units
  • Feedwater heaters and condenser modules all demand custom solutions
  • Once the tools are complete, Barnhart offers personnel experienced in operating custom equipment in the nuclear power environment
 

MAJOR COMPONENT REPLACEMENT

Life extension, uprates and major maintenance require the handling of major components within the plants. To perform this work during planned outages, a thorough knowledge of both major construction techniques, as well as the demanding requirements of nuclear protocol, are required. Barnhart has developed unique tools and methods to perform the movement of major equipment such as:

  • RPV closure heads
  • Steam generators
  • Pressurizers
  • Feedwater heaters
  • Condensers

This experience offers operators the peace of mind knowing that Barnhart will meet and exceed expectations for schedule, safety and ALARA. Clients can be certain they have chosen a company that knows the way through the nuclear environment.

 

OUTAGE SUPPORT

Rigging supervision, lift planning, site transportation services, crane services and more can be provided through our team of professional supervisors, engineers and project managers. The expertise of Barnhart helps insure the safety, quality and timely completion of plant outages. Additionally, we are often called upon to participate in the "Readiness Planning" of various operating plants. These plans serve to limit downtime during emergency outages by having in place engineering, rigging plans, transportation surveys and custom tools associated with critical components such as transformers, reactor coolant pumps and turbine rotors.

DECOMMISSIONING

Barnhart is a leader in the handling of major components associated with nuclear plant decommissioning. We minimize the cost of erecting and testing the handling equipment. This is the distinguishing mark of a Barnhart project. Analysis of existing structures, modular lifting equipment and clever rigging systems minimize risk and improve the ALARA associated with these difficult rigging projects.

Contact us today and let us find the right tool for you.

 

HEAVY TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIVE COMPONENTS

Experience and certification for hazmat service, Barnhart brings a working knowledge to handling over-the-road trucking of critical equipment associated with the nuclear power production. Movement of reactor coolant pumps, turbine rotors and other components receive the attention of a professional team that understands the needs of the industry. Barnhart's Heavy Lift Terminal in Memphis serves as a transfer point for items bound for the decontamination and waste processing facilities of RACE and Duratek.

 

CRITICAL SPARE PARTS WAREHOUSING & PRESERVATION

Barnhart provides warehousing services to support the Pooled Inventory Management (PIM) program administered by Southern Company. The PIM program is a mechanism for nuclear plant owners to jointly procure and store spare generating equipment. The emergency equipment is useable by two or more operators and is stored and maintained centrally at the Barnhart facility in Memphis. Permanent PIM management reside at the storage facility coordinating the maintenance and handling of the emergency equipment by Barnhart personnel.

Barnhart also offers a traditional heavy component storage of major machinery such as turbines, generators and transformers. The storage facility is located on the Mississippi River serviced by Barnhart's 1,250 derrick crane with site rail access to four Class I railroads.

The Barnhart Advantage

Access to Massive Inventory

Barnhart gives you access to one of the largest platform trailer inventories in the world. This can mean a quicker response, lower mobilization cost and less chance of delays.

Built-in Safety

All of Barnhart's processes, as well as our custom designed tools, are designed by our engineers with the optimum safety standards in mind. Efficiency and speed are useless attributes without safety.

Deep Inventory

With hydraulic cranes for hire from 18 to 600 tons, crawler cranes to 800 tons and rough terrain cranes to 80 tons, our crane service branches have the variety and inventory of heavy lift cranes to fit your needs.

Eliminate Delays

One of the benefits of Barnhart's coast-to-coast network is our deep knowledge of state and federal regulations in all 50 states. Our specialists have the resources and personal contacts to help you navigate the varying DOT rules, regulations and permitting processes across the U.S.

Engineered For Success

Moving large equipment through an operating plant takes more than just the right trailer. Engineering is required to account for everything from ground bearing issues to load configuration. With Barnhart's specialized team of more than 50 engineers, we have you covered.

Lower Mobilization Costs

Our branch network allows us to station cranes across the U.S. This decentralized approached could lead to significant reductions in the cost to mobilize a large crane for your project.

Projects

Feedwater Heater Replacement Project Image

Feedwater Heater Replacement

A great Lakes area nuclear plant in Wisconsin needed to replace four feedwater heaters (FWH) and Barnhart was called in to complete the project. In order

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MG Set Removal & ASD Installation Project Image

MG Set Removal & ASD Installation

Barnhart was contracted to provide engineering, equipment and operators/supervisors to assist in the removal of an existing motor generator (MG) set and

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Plant Extended Power Uprate Project Image

Plant Extended Power Uprate

Barnhart was hired to lift, haul and handle more than 19 million pounds of equipment on a major plant uprate project at a Mississippi nuclear station. Most

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Components Haul Project Image

Components Haul

Barnhart received six components for a nuclear power plant, including upper casings, lower casings and rotors from ship's gear in Wilmington, NC. Due to

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Feedwater Heater Remove and Replace Project Image

Feedwater Heater Remove and Replace

Barnhart was hired to remove and replace two feedwater heaters at a nuclear plant in Michigan. The team engineered a travel path solution using powered

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Custom Rigging Devices Project Image

Custom Rigging Devices

Barnhart assisted a nuclear plant in the removal and replacement of its Spent Fuel Handling Bridge (SFHB). The project required special rigging, designed

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LP Rotor Transport Project Image

LP Rotor Transport

Barnhart was awarded a project during an outage at a nuclear power station to transport, stage and dispose of three low-pressure (LP) turbine rotors and

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Water Pump Removal and Replacement Project Image

Water Pump Removal and Replacement

Barnhart was awarded a contract to remove and replace a vertical circulating water pump at a nuclear power facility in Virginia. The project required an

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Stator Removal and Replacement Project Image

Stator Removal and Replacement

Barnhart was hired to remove and replace a stator at a nuclear plant in New Jersey. A load test was first performed, which involved the assembly of a

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Bridge Shoring Project Image

Bridge Shoring

Barnhart was hired by a nuclear client in California to come up with a solution to move a Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) from a decommissioned nuclear

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Feedwater Heater Removal and Replacement Project Image

Feedwater Heater Removal and Replacement

A nuclear power plant client in Georgia needed to remove and replace its Alpha and Bravo 8th Stage Feedwater Heaters that were located in the basement of a

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Clarifier Support Project Image

Clarifier Support

Barnhart's innovative engineering solutions were on display for a rigging project at a nuclear plant in Louisiana. Barnhart had to design a lift system

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Condensate Booster Pump Motor Removal & Replacement Project Image

Condensate Booster Pump Motor Removal & Replacement

Barnhart's initial jacking arrangement of the motor included a center of gravity identification load weighing system, which was an important 1st step in

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Condenser Valve Removal & Replacement Project Image

Condenser Valve Removal & Replacement

Barnhart's engineering team designed a traveling low headroom cantilever system which would allow for adequate hoisting room and travel the system + valve

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Emergency MPT Replacement Project Image

Emergency MPT Replacement

Barnhart received an emergency call from a nuclear station in the Midwest on a Saturday night about a failed Main Power Transformer (MPT). This required

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