In-Station Transfer Skid

Safe Lifting and Transportation of Radioactive Materials

Description:

Transporting 20 ton flasks within a nuclear power plant through narrow corridors and with an overhead crane presents a unique challenge. Engineering factors need to be considered to understand how to maneuver the weight and length of the shielded transport flask while maintaining control of the skid for safe lifting and transportation of radioactive materials in nuclear power plants. Unified Engineering developed the In-Station Transfer Skid (ISTS) to transport radioactive material safely through nuclear power plants.

Highlights:

Pull Weight: Maximum pull weight of 7,500 lbs on a 6% inclined ramp.
Turning Radius: Capable of maneuvering with a 70-degree turning radius.
Capacity: Supports a maximum weight of 47,000 lbs.
Versatile Handling: Designed for towing and lifting loads up to 20 tons.
Safety Compliance: Load rating meets ASME B30.20 standards.
Lifting Standards: Compliant with ANSI/ASME BTH-1 guidelines.

How it Works:

The ISTS functions as a lifting system and a transportation cart on trollies, ensuring versatility in navigating confined spaces and meeting weight restrictions and are equipped with high quality Toolwell casters to ensure longevity. Design engineering is required to determine hardware selection and weight distribution during overhead crane lifting capacities. Clevis mounts on both ends provide sling mounting points which retract and serve to minimize the width while being towed.

The in-station transfer skid involves detailed engineering, design, and fabrication to deliver a bespoke solution. Existing products couldn’t meet these specific requirements, demanding a custom, first of a kind solution. While designing the original material handling skid there were iterative design reviews and concept refinement which led to several in-station transfer skids in active operation and the construction of multiple new designs for material handling applications. These iterations are based on evolving specifications and coordination with the customer to incorporate operational knowledge into the design. The in-station transfer skid ensures compliance with safety standards and human factors considerations.