INNOVATION July-August 2012

YVR South Airfield Low-visibility Upgrades

In 2008, Transport Canada mandated that the Vancouver Aiport Authority (YVR) bring the South airfield to full CAT IIIa low-visibility compliance by December 2011. Hatch Mott MacDonald was hired to plan, design, and provide construction services for the low- visibility upgrades project which involved the design and installation of stopbars and entry/exit lighting, consisting of 500 inset lights at 20 locations, 500 inset taxiway centreline lights, 190 inset apron centreline lights, and 170 new or relocated taxiway edge lights. The electrical design had to promote sustainability in support of the airport authority’s normal and low visibility operational priorities. The lighting upgrade has provided good value by significantly contributing to increased airport efficiency, dependability, sustainability and safety. The project benefits the community as well by reducing aircraft wait times, reducing flight diversions, and additional safety to the travelling public. Owner: Vancouver Airport Authority. Prime Consultant: Hatch Mott MacDonald. Contractor: Westpro.

High Solids Evaporation System

AH Lundberg Systems of Vancouver, BC, has designed and supplied a new high solids evaporation system

(concentrator) to the Smurfit Stone Container Corporation pulp mill located at LaTuque, Quebec. The system includes a two-body flooded forced circulation concentrator designed to operate in series with an existing evaporator set to generate 75% black liquor solids for firing into the recovery boiler. Benefits of this project include: increased steam production, improved steam economy, reduced mill odour and emissions, and improved boiler operation. Additionally, the higher solids-firing level allows the mill to increase pulp production. The system was successfully started up in April 2012. Owner: Smurfit Stone Container Corporation. Professionals involved: Allan Jensen PEng, Amin Manji PEng, Jay VanDeventer PEng, Bruce Der PEng.

Penta Span S12000 The Tentnology Penta Span S12000 covers 6,250 m 2 free span designed to the International Building Code for permanent use. Five fabric structure modules in polar array are joined with a structural fabric and steel cable membrane anchored to earth. First deployed to host a Middle East royal wedding as well as gulf conferences, with a 106 m diameter and height of 12 m, the structure provides a breathtaking architectural statement. Tentnology analyzed, patterned, then fabricated with the firm’s proprietary large deformation finite element software, Tentnology CAE. The 100% opaque structural polymeric fabric provides efficient shade/light control, while the smooth, anticlastic shape ensures correct acoustic performance. The membrane fastens to five composite aluminium alloy/steel curved truss systems. Weighing 61,500 kg, tent materials are 85% recyclable. Installation took seven days on pre-prepared foundation. Design/builder: International Tentnology Corp (Robert Baikie PEng, Naiqi Zhao, Gery Warner PEng).

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