Waterjet Cutting For Eco-Friendly Ship Recycling and Green Steel Generation

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Credit: Explora

Lübeck, Sep 04, 2023 – Germany launches two pilot projects using ANT AG’s eco-friendly waterjet abrasive system for ship dismantling, meeting global sustainability standards and enabling the retrieval of raw materials for climate-neutral steel production. 

Eco-Friendly Dismantling

The number of vessels to be recycled is expected to double from 7,780 to 15,000 ships, with a transport capacity soaring from 285 million tons to 600 million tons. The steel industry, a major CO2 emitter, faces a 30% emissions reduction target by 2030 under the Paris Climate Agreement.

Suspension jet

In June 2022, a pilot project for virtually emission-free ship dismantling began in Kiel, utilizing ANT AG’s patented waterjet technology. The waterjet abrasive suspension system can cut steel plates up to one meter thick at 2500 bar pressure.

It achieves a cutting speed of approximately 2 meters per minute for 10-millimeter-thick ship steel. The cutting system is remotely controlled and can be precisely positioned near the steel to be cut. It can easily cut multi-layered materials and structures with cavities, including fixtures, insulation, and cladding.

Environmentally Friendly

Waterjet cutting has numerous environmental advantages, producing no CO2, fumes, or slag, and avoiding sparks that can reduce the risk of fires and explosions. It can cut materials like invar, a high-value iron-nickel alloy, into various sizes without compromising its stability during temperature changes.

Waterjet cutting can work from the outside to the inside, preventing contamination of the surroundings with slag or paint chips. It safely retains challenging materials inside the ship for proper disposal. The waterjet abrasive suspension system is flexible and can be remotely operated from a distance of up to 500 meters.

Global Regulation

International and EU regulations, such as the Hong Kong International Convention and the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, advocate environmentally friendly ship recycling and safe working conditions to utilize the valuable resource of steel recovered from decommissioned ships

ANT Applied New Technologies AG

ANT Applied New Technologies AG is a global leader in mobile and stationary waterjet cutting, specializing in water abrasive suspension (WAS) cutting technology and specialized mechanical engineering.

ANT AG attributes its success to its well-trained and committed employees, ensuring the quality and functionality of their systems. They offer not just products but tailored solutions, supported by their extensive technological know-how backed by multiple global patents.

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Source: Xinde Marine News