MechChem Africa March-April 2021

⎪ PowerGen, PetroChem and sustainable energy management ⎪

can accommodate up to 1.0 m sections in its jaw,” Bester informs MechChem Africa . As well as the mechanisation aspect, the key advantage of this cutting technique is that it is flame-free, so it ismuch saferwhen it comes toflammable areas on chemical plants; refineries; and fuel, oil or lubricant storage tanks. “We do still use flame cutting in some areas, mostly in restricted spaces where it becomes impossible to get a machine close enough. We have a team of highly skilled and experienced flame cutting specialists who make sure the area is safebefore lighting their cutting torches,” she notes. Modern equipment coupled with high levels of expertise makes Jet Demolition’s services ideal for petrochemical demolition: oil and gas facilities, hexane plants, chemi- cal plants, fuel tanks and storage facilities. “Our modern techniques also limit incidental contamination, which used to be almost un- avoidable. If flame cutting, for example, all of the tanks and piping on a petrochemical site would have to be thoroughly purged before flame cutting could begin. If cold cutting us - ing a hydraulic shear, decontamination canbe completed after demolition. “For the big petrochemical tanks, for ex - ample, we use the shear attachment as a giant can opener, removing sections of the shell and transporting them to suitable space for decontamination. As well as preventing fire, this avoids having to cleanout the tankbefore dismantling it and ensures that contaminants can be properly be controlled and managed,” she says, adding that recycling the clean tank material, which is typically sold on to local foundries, also becomes easier. “On quoting any project, we offset any expected recycling or scrap resale value. We take on the full responsibility, which takes away the logistical, theft and commercial risks from our clients. Sometimes we use clean building rubble to fill voids to rehabilitate a site, for soil stability or landscaping. We are constantlyon the lookout for opportunities to saveour clientsmoney and reduce theburden on landfill,” Kate Bester assures MechChem Africa. Heritage plants often have hazardous waste materials, and Jet Demolition has the competence and licences to dispose of these substances according to legislation and to the highest international standards. “We are at our best doing whole turnkey site rehabilita-

Jet Demolition continuously develops new methods and adds new techniques to keep up with local demand and to meet global requirements in terms of safety and the environment.

Jet Demolition has over 60 specialised demolition machines in its fleet.

accolade in our industry. We started submit- ting entries in 2017 and have sincewon twice in the explosive category, once in the envi- ronmental and recycling category, and once in the heavy industrial category. And at last year’s 2020 Awards, we won the Global Best Demolition Project Award for the November 2019 Bank of Lisbon implosion in downtown Johannesburg. “This success opens up more and more global collaboration opportunities with com- panies needing a local presence or seeking our expertise where they have a footprint, opportunities that we would not necessarily have heard about hadwe not been successful at the World Demolition Awards. “While we are very proud to be one of SouthAfrica’s globally recognised companies, we also know of many other companies in South Africa that are global leaders. South Africa and its industries have many positives tobeproudof. By focusingon these andbuild- ing our industries around them, we can be- come globally competitive and an important hub for African growth,” Bester concludes. q

tion management so that the demolition site is fully restored andmade ideally suited to its future use,” she adds. Thisproactiveapproachhas resulted in the Jet Demolition completing over 100 projects for SouthAfrica’s leading local petrochemical producer, as well as undertaking work in the mining, power and process industries across South Africa and the African continent. “We have worked throughout Africa: in Ghana, Guinea, Zambia, Zimbabwe and all the way up to Algeria. “We believe that Africa is a magical place. It has many old and run downmines, so there is always a role for structural demolitionwork. In addition, international mining houses in Africa tend tohave a very strong commitment to safety and the environment, so there are many opportunities out there for a company willing to diligently deliver to the standards required,” Bester advises. Testament to Jet Demolition’s commit- ment tohighdeliverystandards is its consider- able success at theWorldDemolitionAwards. “These awards are the highest international

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