Surface Refurbishing of Re-Use Steel

AI Quick Summary

The goal of the project is to sketch an economical process for refurbishing the surface of Re-Use Steel Sections. The process starts with the on-site analysis of the steel surface and ends with the disposal of the surface residues. Recommendations for technologies, lead times and target costs will be the outputs of the project. The problem​ A significant obstacle to a larger utilisation of Re-Use Steel in the construction industry is the surface condition of the material. Rust and/or different types of coating (some of them toxic) are generally present. Technologies for surface refurbishment are available (sand blasting, high pressure water jet) or in development (laser) but rarely applied for re-use steel. Generally coated steel is sent to the steel work for remelting because a standardised, efficient process for surface refurbishing is missing. The goal of the project is to create this process and the relevant business model by combining the know-how of the relevant stakeholder around one or more demonstration projects.The process starts with the on-site analysis of the steel surface and ends with the disposal of the surface residues.The benefits A lean process for surface refurbishment of steel sections will largely facilitate their Re-Use.​ We expect benefits for all involved stakeholders; real estate holders wanting to build with Re-Use Steel will have a larger offer, the planners will have a reliable way to estimate the refurbishing costs and the steelwork companies will receive easy to process steel beams free of any surface contamination.The team and the rolesSome of the stakeholders are already actively involved in the project RUSS. öbu, Alberto Cerri, coordination & technology scoutingzirkular, Charlotte Bofinger, definition of the requirements from the point of view of the userImmobilien Basel-Stadt/Entwicklung, Christina Bronowski. will allow the utilisation of the steel beams of the “Busdepot Rankhof” as a demonstration projectEberhard Unternehmungen, Veronica Contucci, supplying additional material and logistic know-how.OST Rapperswil, Prof. S. Kytzia, developing the business model Positive impact on the planetAn efficient process for surface refurbishing of steel surfaces will greatly facilitate the Re-Use of steel in Switzerland leading to savings in energy consumption and reduction of CO2 emissions.State of the artSandblasting with different abrasive agents is well established. New technologies (High pressure water, Laser) are in development. Planning and deliverables Screening of the existing technologies with experts from the field of corrosion protectionRollout of a prototype project in collaboration with zirkular and Immobilien Basel-Stadt (The study object will be the Busdepot Rankhof)Based on the result of the prototype study, work out the details of an efficient supply chain, identify weaknesses and potential for improvement.Expectations from the boosterThe participation in the Booster will give us the needed resources to tackle the problem; in addition we expect increased visibility and credibility along the whole supply chain of Re-Use steel . 3rd party fundingöbu was recently consulted by different actors of the building industry (architects, construction engineering companies, steel construction companies) around questions of Re-Use steel. We are very confident that the additional funding will be allocated from these new actors.

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: Surface Refurbishing of Re-Use Steel
• Date: 8/25/2023 12:40:24 PM
• Administrators:
  • Alberto Cerri

Project Idea Description

The problem​

A significant obstacle to a larger utilisation of Re-Use Steel in the construction industry is the surface condition of the material. Rust and/or different types of coating (some of them toxic) are generally present.

Technologies for surface refurbishment are available (sand blasting, high pressure water jet) or in development (laser) but rarely applied for re-use steel. Generally coated steel is sent to the steel work for remelting because a standardised, efficient process for surface refurbishing is missing.

The goal of the project is to create this process and the relevant business model by combining the know-how of the relevant stakeholder around one or more demonstration projects.The process starts with the on-site analysis of the steel surface and ends with the disposal of the surface residues.

The benefits

A lean process for surface refurbishment of steel sections will largely facilitate their Re-Use.​ We expect benefits for all involved stakeholders; real estate holders wanting to build with Re-Use Steel will have a larger offer, the planners will have a reliable way to estimate the refurbishing costs and the steelwork companies will receive easy to process steel beams free of any surface contamination.

The team and the roles

Some of the stakeholders are already actively involved in the project RUSS.

• öbu, Alberto Cerri, coordination & technology scouting
• zirkular, Charlotte Bofinger, definition of the requirements from the point of view of the user
• Immobilien Basel-Stadt/Entwicklung, Christina Bronowski. will allow the utilisation of the steel beams of the “Busdepot Rankhof” as a demonstration project
• Eberhard Unternehmungen, Veronica Contucci, supplying additional material and logistic know-how.
• OST Rapperswil, Prof. S. Kytzia, developing the business model

Positive impact on the planet

An efficient process for surface refurbishing of steel surfaces will greatly facilitate the Re-Use of steel in Switzerland leading to savings in energy consumption and reduction of CO2 emissions.

State of the art

Sandblasting with different abrasive agents is well established. New technologies (High pressure water, Laser) are in development.

Planning and deliverables

• Screening of the existing technologies with experts from the field of corrosion protection

• Rollout of a prototype project in collaboration with zirkular and Immobilien Basel-Stadt (The study object will be the Busdepot Rankhof)

• Based on the result of the prototype study, work out the details of an efficient supply chain, identify weaknesses and potential for improvement.

Expectations from the booster

The participation in the Booster will give us the needed resources to tackle the problem; in addition we expect increased visibility and credibility along the whole supply chain of Re-Use steel .

3rd party funding

öbu was recently consulted by different actors of the building industry (architects, construction engineering companies, steel construction companies) around questions of Re-Use steel. We are very confident that the additional funding will be allocated from these new actors.

The goal of the project is to sketch an economical process for refurbishing the surface of Re-Use Steel Sections. The process starts with the on-site analysis of the steel surface and ends with the disposal of the surface residues. Recommendations for technologies, lead times and target costs will be the outputs of the project.