Wet Abrasive Blasting
Established itself increasingly for the preparation of industrial surfaces in addition to the industry standard of dry blasting the wet sand blasting. With this technology, one distinguishes between three different methods: Most devices are either classic dry blasting systems, which is added water in the blasting nozzle and below the vessel, or high pressure cleaner, which is added blasting media at the nozzle. In this case, the water forms a cone-shaped cover, which is to bind the dust and the blasting media.
The third method is already in the vessel and works consistently with an blasting media-water mixture. We speak of this technology by real wet sand blasting, as is used for pressure generation and for grit production from the reservoir pressure water. The formation of fine dust particles, which is generated in the conventional dry blasting, decreases in our technology by 95%. With only one type of machine all blasting jobs can be performed – from careful to powerful. The compressed air, which makes the aggressiveness of the blasting adjacent to the blasting media, is regulated independently of the amount of blasting media or promotion. No matter if there burned in old coatings on thin aluminum panels, coated steel beams or large height differences of up to 250 meters. The technique can be applied to almost any surface in any weather (above 3° C), and is already in over 40 countries in a variety of climate zones in use.
Economy
The advantages of these patented wet sandblasting systems are the operating costs: The blasting media must not be stored dry. At the same time we consume 60% less blasting media and water, which is not only environmentally friendly, but also much more economical. A special metering valve allows this saving, however without loss of performance. This results in a reduced volume of waste by 50%, which bisects the huge increase in disposal costs of up to € 200 per ton, especially when old led paint .
In contrast to dry blasting systems, where the area of the blasting object must be sealed and provided with an appropriate extraction system, our technology omitted the time-consuming and expensive enclosure. Because of the dust reduction by 95% the devices can be used in public, even in critical environments, such as in tight spaces, next to sensitive devices or tasks which are open to the public.
Conclusion
In comparison of dry and wet sandblasting technique, the wet sandblasting can recorded significant advantages for themselves. Dry blasting for steel surface is indeed widespread, but usually associated with large environmental impact. On the one hand, the dust is problematic, so everything has to be sealed and vacuumed. On the other hand the blasting debris can often disposed as hazardous waste. When removing old coatings, there could be heavy metals which contaminate the waste.
In wet sandblasting omitted the costs for dry storage of the blasting media, the consumption will be reduced by 60%, dust will be reduced by 95% and it can be used in critical environments without special containment is possible. Environmentally neutral inhibitor and 1-component polyurethane coatings allow the blasting on steel with Sa 2.5 and still achieve savings of 35% compared to dry blasting. In much of the petrochemical in the Netherlands the torbo wet sandblasting process already became standard character.
Josef Keizer jr., torbo ENGINEERING KEIZERS GmbH, Borken/Germany
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