Dennis McGarel

Vice president sales and estimating

Brandenburg Industrial Service Company

 

 

TOPIC

Johnsonville Fossil Plant, Tennessee

 

SYNOPSIS

On July 31, 2021 personnel from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) witnessed the demolition of a (182 m) 600 ft smokestack and 10 boilers and precipitators at Johnsonville Fossil Plant (Johnsonville) in New Johnsonville, Tennessee. They were the last remaining elements of TVA’s oldest coal-fired power facility.

 

Brandenburg Industrial Service Company started plant demolition in 2019. It began with the abatement of 10 boilers and the concurrent demolition of outbuildings as well as the removal of the turbines, turbine hall and all marine features. Strip-out was essential because the boiler structure had to have the lower 37 feet clear of equipment and piping to facilitate the implosion of all 10 units. Demolition/abatement took place adjacent to a functional switchyard, water treatment building and tanks. Access to the treatment plant had to be maintained at all times. Live utilities surrounded and ran through the site. Coordination with water navigational vessels was critical as the work required use of a 300 t crawler crane to remove two large barge unloaders.

 

Demolition was completed on time and on budget and Brandenburg’s efforts facilitated the recycling of approximately 100,000 t of steel and about 100,000 t of brick, block and concrete. The 150 Brandenburg professionals completed the 34-month project in 550,000 man-hours.

 

BIOGRAPHY

Dennis has been with Brandenburg for more than 25 years. He has held several positions and is currently vice president of sales and estimating.

 

At this year’s World Demolition Summit, Dennis will speak about the complex Johnsonville plant demolition, which was voted overall World Demolition Award winner (‘Best of the Best’) at the 2022 event.

 

Brandenburg was established over 50 years ago and is one of the USA’s premier companies specialising in demolition and environmental remediation.

 

The company has five regional offices located throughout the USA and employs more than 800 people. Dennis is a member of the Board of Directors of the USA’s National Demolition Association.