Pennsylvania-based Scrap Salvage & Surplus Inc. has patented a mobile processing unit for heavy torching oversized metal scrap generated by metalproducers. It reduces energy consumption and labor costs, SS&S claims, and effectively eliminates 99.8% of airborne emissions generated by ferrous and nonferrous metal torching in the traditional cutting process.

The mobile unit is capable of accommodating heavy torching, lance rods, plasma cutting, scarfing, and (with minor modifications) sand blasting and painting. The process facility can employ two torch operators simultaneously, and be equipped with automatic torches.

Environmental compliance is maintained by eliminating the emissions that otherwise would have been generated by heavy torching on site.

The efficiency of the unit is attributed to its ability to travel over the arranged materials. This permits continuous operation and eliminates the need to handle material more than once, saving fuel, maintenance, and labor time.

According to Scrap & Salvage Surplus president Michael Keith, “tens of thousands of tons of ferrous and nonferrous metals” have been processed since the unit became operational in 2005. Materials have included stainless pit scrap, tundish manganese, 50-in. thick Inconel, and 58-ton mill rolls.