Street installs cranes 1.1km underground in world-leading science facility

A world-class £1.7m science facility located 1,100m underground in Yorkshire, is benefitting from overhead cranes supplied by Street Crane.

Street has supplied and installed two overhead cranes in the newly expanded Boulby Underground Laboratory, which is operated by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The facility is just one of a very small number worldwide to host ultra-low background and deep underground science projects. Recent studies have included the search for dark matter in the universe, and research into cosmic rays, climate, astrobiology and life in extreme environments.

Due to be fully operational in early 2017, the new laboratory will be used for current experiments and provide additional space for new research projects.

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Both cranes are double girder design giving maximum lifting height in the restricted area and have lifting capacities of 5 and 10 tonnes. They will be used for heavy assembly work, including preparing equipment such as metal shielding for experiments. The 5-tonne crane operates in an area 60 m long but only 4m high and 7m wide. The 10-tonne crane functions in an experimental cavern, which is 45m long and just 6m high and 7m wide. Both feature Street’s ZX hoists, which provide maximum lift and lateral travel along each crane beam.

Chris Lindley- Smith, sales director at Street Crane said:

“It’s been great to be involved in such a fascinating facility and to complete one of our most unusual installations. We had to deliver the cranes to site in kit form so they could be lowered into the working area in the site lift before underground assembly and installation. To enable this unusual delivery all key structural elements had to be accurately marked with the centre of gravity and correct lifting points - this was absolutely critical to ensure safe working in such tight areas.

As the cranes have to operate in confined spaces with very limited headroom, the ZX hoists are advantageous as their compact design maximises the top hook position and the cranes optimise hook coverage of the floor working area. All of the supporting runway steelwork was installed directly onto the mine’s lining structure, ensuring the cranes leave the floor working space completely free.

Overhead cranes are often associated with large spaces in factories and workshops, but this project shows just how versatile they can be. No matter what shape the space is, it’s possible to create high-quality, bespoke cranes, specifically designed to meet both the requirements of the operation and the structure they need to function in. ”