Rudna-Żelazny Most pipeline ready for pressure testing

PeBeKa is finishing work on the construction of the return water pipeline from Rudna to the flotation tailings storage in Tarnówek. The installation is ready for pressure tests, following which the pipeline will be connected to the technological water transmission system.

The work on the pipeline Rudna-Żelazny Most storage in Tarnówek, ordered by KGHM Polska Miedź, lasted from Autumn 2012. PeBeKa was responsible for construction of the return technological water pipeline having a total length of 4.6 kilometres, together with auxiliary facilities, electrical and control installations and fixtures used for controlling the water flow in the pipeline.

In the first stage, 2.3 km of polyethylene pipes were installed, welded and laid in trenches, following which another 2.3 km of steel pipes were welded and protected with insulation. Those works were carried out in up to 4 metres deep trenches reinforced with sheet piles. In addition, in groundwater rich places, trench drainage by way of wellpoints was used.

In the next pipeline construction stage, reinforced-concrete section damper chambers KZ-1 and KZ-2 were constructed, and the existing K-5 chamber was modernised. In addition, dampers were installed together with the entire infrastructure. As a result of this installation, pipeline water will be controllable.

The last part of the investment consisted of electrical work of laying electrical cables and control fibre optic cables, and installing control cabinets and lighting units. Also, drainage and air venting wells were built.
The installation is ready for a pressure test. Once it is complete, the pipeline will connected within a deadline agreed on with the investor to the technological water system of transmission from the Żelazny Most storage to ZWR Polkowice and ZWR Rudna.