What is a Thermic Lance?
A Thermic Lance is a steel pipe packed with mixed metal wires.
Pure oxygen gas is passed through the pipe from an oxygen cylinder and regulator. The end of the pipe is lit with a high temperature source, e.g. an oxy-acetylene torch. The iron in the steel burns in the oxygen coming down the pipe to produce enormous heat and a liquid slag of iron oxides and other materials, which dribbles and splashes out, just like an enormous firework sparkler.
The temperature reached in the centre of the combustion zone is approx. 4000 degrees Celsius, greater than the melting point of any substance on earth. By the way of comparison, concrete melts at 1800 - 2500 degrees Celsius and steel at less than 1500 degrees Celsius. Also, because it runs on oxygen, the lance can cut underwater.
A Thermic Lance
can cut through
All ferrous and non-ferrous metals (recommended)
Refractory materials such as linings and bricks (recommended)
Underwater cutting of metal tracks, bridge supports, wharves (Mini Thermic Lances Only)
Concrete or rock structures (mainly for piercing holes only)
All ferrous and non-ferrous metals (recommended)
Refractory materials such as linings and bricks (recommended)
Underwater cutting of metal tracks, bridge supports, wharves (Mini Thermic Lances Only)
Concrete or rock structures (mainly for piercing holes only)
All ferrous and non-ferrous metals (recommended)
Refractory materials such as linings and bricks (recommended)
Underwater cutting of metal tracks, bridge supports, wharves (Mini Thermic Lances Only)
Concrete or rock structures (mainly for piercing holes only)
All ferrous and non-ferrous metals (recommended)
Refractory materials such as linings and bricks (recommended)
Underwater cutting of metal tracks, bridge supports, wharves (Mini Thermic Lances Only)
Concrete or rock structures (mainly for piercing holes only)
All ferrous and non-ferrous metals (recommended)
Refractory materials such as linings and bricks (recommended)
Underwater cutting of metal tracks, bridge supports, wharves (Mini Thermic Lances Only)
Concrete or rock structures (mainly for piercing holes only)
All ferrous and non-ferrous metals (recommended)
Refractory materials such as linings and bricks (recommended)
Underwater cutting of metal tracks, bridge supports, wharves (Mini Thermic Lances Only)
Concrete or rock structures (mainly for piercing holes only)
All ferrous and non-ferrous metals (recommended)
Refractory materials such as linings and bricks (recommended)
Underwater cutting of metal tracks, bridge supports, wharves (Mini Thermic Lances Only)
Concrete or rock structures (mainly for piercing holes only)
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Common Applications
Cutting large metal castings or frozen metal spills+
When foundries have large spillages of molten material, the only method to clean up is to use Thermic Lances once material has solidified.
Cutting mixed or laminated materials+
Combinations of metal and concrete are notoriously difficult to cut since the techniques for metal (drilling and oxy-cutting) are not compatible with those for concrete (drilling with tungsten carbide or diamond tipped tools and jack hammering). A lance will cut through both materials with ease at the same time.
Concrete cancer in reinforced concrete+
A mini lance can be used to remove concrete cancer in coastal buildings and then re-packed with suitable new material.
Emergency situations+
Widely used in emergency work around the world for disasters such as collapsed buildings due to earthquakes or train derailments etc.
Removing plugs, pins and hard-facing material+
A Mini Thermic Lance is particularly effective when it comes to removing worn or seized pins in earthmoving equipment. It can also be used as a gouger to remove welds to replace teeth on buckets.
Furnace applications+
Electric-arc and Blast furnaces have plugs which must be opened at regular intervals for inspection or draining purposes. Lances are also used for removal of worn refractory material and cleaning/de-slagging of pouring spouts.
General use+
Cutting Large objects for scrap, cutting large steel beams in demolition and renovation, removing awkward objects from buildings (e.g. large statues, old bank vaults) and general maintenance applications. Also used to de-commission old furnaces in preparations for new installed ones.