Thermal Lance cutting used to demolish a steel bridge in Namibia
Recently our Oxygen Lancing thermal wire pack lances were used in the demolition of a steel bridge as part of a Railway Restoration Project in Namibia.
Bridge Demolition in Namibia Southern Africa
The Swakopmund Bridge was the key control project and the only bridge under construction on the entire line of the Namibia Railway Restoration Project 2022.
According to the construction requirements, the bridge needs to build a new pier in the main river channel, and replace the upper structure – Seetao
The Namibia Railway Rehabilitation Project was a 5 day project From May 11 to 15 2022 laying an impressive new 3.13km new track on the main line.
The old rusted Swakopmund Bridge needed to be cut into 2 section and removed to make room for a new steel railway bridge. The only way possible way to cut this bridge was to use Thermal Wire Pack oxygen lance. This is because Oxygen Lance cutting is the most feasible way to cut thick pieces of steel in most time efficient way possible.
Cutting from a new height.
Here at Oxygen Lancing we proud to see our Thermal Lances cutting in Southern Africa.
Oxygen Lancing supplied 17 mm Diameter x 3 meter Long Thermal Lances to cut through the thick steel support beams to help in the demolition of an old steel railway bridge in Swakopmund Namibia.
”Cutting the 52m long, 154ton bridge section into two pieces, using an oxygen lance. This method saved us time and made it possible to stay on program.” AWH Namibia
What is Thermal Lance cutting?
A thermal lance or Thermal wire pack is a thermic cutting consumable tube that is used in a thermal oxygen lance for cutting thick materials.
Thermal lancing tubes are Also known as a thermal lance, thermic lance, oxygen lance, or burning bar is a tool that heats and melts steel in the presence of pressurised oxygen to create an extremely high temperatures for cutting. It consists of a long steel tube packed with alloy steel rods, sometimes mixed with aluminium rods to increase the heat output. The wire pack has an insulation layer on the outside, which protects the wire from contact with the shaft.
What can a Thermal Lance cut?
A Thermal lance is used for cutting through hard materials like concrete and reinforced steel. It works by heating up the wire from its tip to its base using high pressure oxygen gas, so that it can cut through large material in the most cost effective way compared to other cutting techniques.
What thickness of steel can a Thermal Lance cut?
A Thermal Lance can be used to cut large pieces of steel and metal from various thickness from 10 mm thick to 500 mm thick. Thermal Lancing is a very versatile way of cutting nearly any type of material concrete or reinforced steel.
