One of China’s largest pumped storage power station under construction, located in Hunan Province, is set to be completed with the help of the world’s first 50° steep-slope tunnel boring machine named “Tianyue”. The machine, developed by a research team of CRCHI, is equipped with multiple anti-slip and emergency safety systems to ensure safe operation under various working conditions.
The team overcame the problem of large-scale diameter changes in the cutterhead and shield body, enabling the TBM switching in diameter between 6.53 meters and 8 meters.
Additionally, they were able to successfully tackle the issue of ultra-small vertical curves with a radius of 50 meters, enabling the machine to continuously tunnel in various conditions such as horizontal shaft, inclined shaft, and turning sections.
The use of this innovative tunnel boring machines has significantly improved the efficiency, safety, and intelligence of the construction of the inclined shafts at the pumped storage power station.
Furthermore, the project has embraced the “green, intelligent and mechanized construction” concept, pushing forward the development of a green and intelligent construction model, and creating a demonstration platform for the application of tunnel boring machines in pumped storage power stations.
Traditional drilling and blasting methods have been replaced by the use of the tunnel boring machine, which has increased the monthly progress from an average of 40 meters to 200 meters, greatly reducing safety risks for workers and achieving zero application of explosives.
The successful application of “Tianyue” has injected new impetus into the mechanization, greening, and digitization of the construction of pumped storage power stations in China.
The new machine is the second of its kind to be used in the construction of the Pingjiang pumped storage power station after the “Pingjiang” small cross-section tunnel boring machine. Its introduction is expected to accelerate China’s efforts to achieve its carbon neutral goals and further promote the development of China’s intelligent manufacturing industry.
