Bin there, done that

During a recent CHPP outage in the Hunter Valley, our NSW team pulled off a full structural and mechanical replacement of a surge bin, delivering the job safely, on time and within budget.

The works ran for over 15-days for the main scope, structural remediation, and blast and paint.

With around six people per shift, the team worked around the clock on a critical path scope, meaning timing was everything to keep the outage on track.

While this was a planned piece of maintenance, the job's complexity meant preparation was key.

One of the biggest challenges was the lift well, which wasn’t originally designed for this type of replacement. The team tackled this head-on through detailed modelling and lift studies, ensuring everything could be executed safely and efficiently.

Once the structure was opened, additional remediation work was required, but the team adapted quickly and kept things moving.

Southern NSW Operations Manager Nathan Brown said the new installation will deliver clear benefits moving forward.

“The original surge bin had been in service for around 30 years and required ongoing maintenance and repairs,” Nathan said.

“The new installation not only improves reliability but also optimises coal flow through the plant, helping to increase washing tonnes and overall efficiency.”