Record-breaking 720-tonne load transported through Hungary with innovative engineering techniques
Four record-large generators are set to be transported to Romania’s Mintia-Deva Power Station, with the aim of building Europe’s largest gas-fired power plant by 2026. The first generator has already made its way to Hungary this month, requiring impressive engineering feats to carry it from Szeged to Romania. This task involved reinforcing a bridge to handle the massive load. Check out photos and a video showcasing how the 720-tonne load was transported in Hungary.
The massive generator arrived in Szeged via river routes on the Danube and River Tisza in February. Engineers spent nearly a year planning the route from Szeged to the Hungarian-Romanian border, despite the short distance. Experts from Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Romania collaborated to transport four huge generators from Hungary to Romania for the development of the Mintia-Deva Power Station, which is poised to become Europe’s largest gas-fired power plant by 2026.
The 380-tonne generator, which came from the United States, will cover a distance of 300 kilometres over a span of 2 weeks. The generator had a 44-kilometre route in Hungary, making the total weight of the transport reach 720 tonnes. The length of the load is 100 metres, with a width of 6 metres and a height of 5.4 metres.
The transportation of the 720-tonne load in Hungary captured national attention, as it was carried by an SPMT (Self Propelled Modular Transporter) in the first phase. The use of this transporter eliminated the need for a towing vehicle. The transport was not only significant for the transportation industry but also showcased an impressive engineering feat that deserved national recognition.
One of the biggest challenges in the project was transporting the 720 tonnes across the Bridge of Apátfalva, which had a weight capacity of only 40 tonnes. To overcome this obstacle, engineers from the Hungarian company Peri temporary reinforced the bridge using MULTIPROP reinforcement panels. Each rod could withstand 9 tonnes, and 156 aluminium pieces were utilized to minimize risks. The installation and movement of the rods were quick and efficient due to the favorable characteristics of aluminium.
A video showcasing the operation can be viewed above to get a better understanding of the engineering feats and careful planning involved in transporting the massive 720-tonne load. This project highlights the innovative solutions and collaborative efforts required to achieve such a monumental transportation task.
