Jet Demolition and Edifice Engineering implode five cooling towers at SAIL plant

The demolition of the Asansol plant cleared space for a new integrated steel plant as part of a redevelopment project led by SAIL.

The towers, each 70 m tall and 48 m in diameter at the base, were brought down in a sequenced implosion with charges detonated half a second apart.

“This was our sixteenth major structure implosion working with Edifice and certainly one of the most complex due to proximity challenges of live services,” said Joe Brinkmann, Managing Director of Jet Demolition. “We were working within just 4 m of active electrical services and 12 m from a live substation. Water lines were as close as 3 m. The design had to be flawless, and it was.”

The collapse took eight seconds from the first detonation to full fall. The design involved 6,180 blast holes targeting the towers’ support columns and shell to overcome the inherent circular strength of the structures.

“These towers were much stronger than usual, likely due to India’s higher seismic requirements, so we took additional precautions to ensure a controlled fall,” Brinkmann said. “We have demolished cooling towers before, so we knew what was needed. We have built up a lot of experience and techniques for explosive-induced collapse over the now 30 years of working in South Africa. We are one of the few specialised companies in the world doing this work now.”

Jet Demolition was responsible for the technical design, sequencing, and execution of the implosion. Edifice Engineering provided on-the-ground support including skilled labour and equipment such as excavators with customised tools and mobile access platforms. Edifice is now progressing with site clean-up and recycling.

“This collaboration really works,” Brinkmann said. “We have established a solid working relationship with Edifice Engineering. They are the leading demolition company in India, and we are certainly pleased to work exclusively with them on projects in India. Together, it is a powerful partnership.”

Brinkmann said nearly all materials from the demolition would be reused. “There is virtually no waste and minimal environmental impact. The materials are being reused onsite, so we are avoiding long-distance transport and the associated carbon emissions.”

Security for the implosion was handled by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which managed the exclusion zone to ensure public safety.

Jet Demolition deployed a five-person team from South Africa for the project. According to Brinkmann, the company is now exploring additional opportunities in India, including a major bridge in Kolkata and another project involving the implosion of two 120 m chimneys at a separate power station.

“Given the situation in South Africa, we are increasingly looking further afield. In Southern Africa, just north of us, we are now operating in two different countries. We are anticipating one project starting soon, with another one that has been awarded and is expected to kick off toward the end of the year,” Brinkmann said.