The Slurry TBM "Channel Express" Launched in the Construction of Water Supply Tunnels in Singapore
17 February 2023On February 1st, the launching ceremony of the TBM for the key water supply tunnel project TWRP Pipe Line Contract 1 in Singapore was held, and the ‘Channel Express’, a Slurry TBM manufactured and shipped by CRCHI to Singapore launched successfully. ‘Channel Express’ will now bore the 1.6km with the inner diameter 6m.
The project connects the Singapore Tuas Water Reclamation Plant (TWRP) to existing network on Jurong Island through a sub-sea TBM tunnel, which is one of the key infrastructure projects of the Singapore's National Water Agency in recent years. The tunnel crosses the seabed for a long distance with high water pressure. In addition, it passes through mudstone, siltstone and sandstone for a long distance with high rock strength. And there may be fracture zone in the tunnel section.
According to the characteristics of the project, the ‘Channel Express’ TBM is equipped with advanced technologies such as high pressure main drive seal, jaw+roller two stage stone crushing, synchronous bi-component grouting, and slurry circulation anti-blocking system. The telescopic camera device, which was first used in the Singapore tunnel project, can monitor the inside of the main bearing and the excavation chamber by video. The intelligent excavation management system can monitor the excavation volume in real time.
