Gold Series® Lights the Way for Jeffboat

Challenge

Jeffboat provides custom design and construction of marine vessels and equipment. This industry leader specializes in hopper barges, tank and oceangoing tank barges and towboats. During the manufacturing process, their dual torch plasma cutting systems were producing too much smoke, which the existing water table was not able to satisfactorily eliminate. Another problem with a water table system was the disposal of the water and sludge, which has now been classified by the government as “hazardous waste.” Based on these problems, Jeffboat made the decision to test a downdraft system. After a number of false starts with other systems, Jeffboat gave Universal Torch and Equipment an opportunity to resolve these issues.

Solution

Scott of Universal Torch & Equipment worked with Jeffboat’s purchasing, engineering and maintenance departments to determine the best solution for their application. The decision was made to try the GS48L system with related components - such as sprinkler system and spark trap inlet. Due to the collector being installed inside the building, a silencer was also added to reduce the noise level to OSHA requirements.

GS48L at Jeffboat, Inc.

The Integrated Controller feature allows this dual torch downdraft table, cutting with HPR 260’s, to function properly while running 15,000 CFM at 10” s.p and an air-to-cloth ratio of 0.96:1. The Farr system installed by Universal Torch & Equipment has met all EPA requirements.

It was determined that by no longer having to pay for disposal of the hazardous waste produced by the water table, the savings would pay for the new Universal Torch & Equipment downdraft system in approximately 18 months. Added benefits are the virtual elimination of dust/smoke problems produced by the plasma cutting and safeguarding the health of the workers.