Tue, 02/04/2014 - 00:00

SANTIAGO, Chile (Feb. 4, 2014) – To meet the transportation needs of Santiago’s expanding population, the city’s underground metro system is in the midst of a significant expansion. The Consorcio Echeverria Izquierdo-Obras Subterráneas S.A. is responsible for tunneling and construction of part of one of the new metro lines. It turned to Atlas Copco for a Predictable Power solution. The consortium’s project, consisting of 7.1 kilometers of inter-station tunneling and four stations, is part of two new metro lines. Overall, the new line 3 will consist of 22.1 kilometers of tunnels and 18 stations. Line 6 will total 15.3 kilometers of tunnels and 10 stations. Line 6 is estimated to be up and running in 2016, while line 3 will carry its first passengers a year later. To make these deadlines, the consortium is working 24 hours per day, 7 days per week at 9 different sites around the city. When running equipment around the clock, reliability is essential. The initial project envisaged each tunnel shaft being powered by a single 800 kVA generator. However, Atlas Copco calculations based on the required power load and operation times suggested that two synchronized on-site generators – a QAS 500 and a QAS 325 – in island mode with a Power Management System (PMS) configuration would be more fuel efficient. This increases the lifespan of the equipment and optimizing work time. A PMS configuration connects two or more generators. A controller ensures the generators run only when they are required. “This is only part of the story,” says Chrystian Sir, Business Line Manager Chile, Atlas Copco Portable Energy. “Noise, size and cost efficiency are also important. As the work sites are operational 24 hours per day, 7 days per week in tunnels 22 meters to 40 meters below residential areas, ensuring low noise levels is essential. Plus, the equipment needs to be compact to enter the work site via circular shafts that range from 15 meters to 25 meters in diameter. Lastly, savings from efficient fuel consumption will be significant over the length of the project.” In addition to providing Predictable Power for the electrical equipment on-site that includes boomers, fan stations and electrical tools, the generators also power a series of WEDA electric submersible pumps. The WEDA 40N, WEDA 50H and WEDA 60H pumps extract water from the tunnels, preventing flooding and allowing daily operations to continue smoothly. “We chose Atlas Copco for a number of reasons,” explains Ángel González de Lena Vallina, Jefe General de Terreno Tramo 4 of the consortium. “Atlas Copco has a wide variety of technically advanced products of the highest quality as well as excellent service and an unbeatable customer support. This is our first order for Atlas Copco on-site generators and pumps and we have been very satisfied with the results.” Atlas Copco is an industrial group that produces compressors, expanders and air treatment systems, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems.