Elinem Construction was appointed by ArcelorMittal South Africa to undertake the full replacement of Collecting Main No. 1 on Battery 3 at their Newcastle Works facility. The project formed part of a critical infrastructure renewal initiative to ensure continued efficiency, reliability, and safety of the coke oven gas collection system.
Scope of Work:
The comprehensive project scope included the supply, manufacture, and installation of major mechanical components and associated systems, as follows:
1 off Collecting Main complete with access platforms
1 off Crossover complete with platforms
2 off Bleeder Stacks
Installation of compressed air, steam, flushing liquor, nitrogen, industrial water, and fire water lines
Ascension pipes and heat shields
Execution of NDT testing on all welds to ensure integrity and compliance with quality standards
Removal of the existing collecting main system including old ascension pipes, goosenecks, Pullman valves, crossovers, utility lines, walkways, and support structures
Refurbishment of selected Pullman valves, goosenecks, and ascension pipe valves
Final assembly and installation of all supplied and refurbished equipment
Surveying before and after installation to verify that the collecting main system was installed at the correct elevations and slope for optimal functionality and drainage
Application of protective coatings and laser-cut oven name tags in line with industrial specifications
Submission of a comprehensive project safety file, and full compliance with ArcelorMittal’s HSE and quality standards
Project Execution:
Given the technical demands of the project, Elinem Construction deployed skilled mechanical teams supported by in-house fabrication capabilities, precision surveying, and specialized rigging and scaffolding resources. Strict quality assurance protocols, including full NDT on all welds, ensured compliance with international mechanical and safety standards.
The accurate surveying of the installation before and after ensured the new collecting main system was positioned at precise design elevations and slope — a critical factor for proper coke oven gas flow and condensation management.
