Wet Blasting

Aquastorm
In operation the Aquastorm is completely filled with water and abrasive to form a slurry. When in use, the pump presses water into the vessel (1-8 litres/min) thus displacing, the exact same amount of slurry at the same time. This slurry passes a shutdown valve and enters the blast hose, in turn exiting the nozzle offering a dust free controllable alternative to conventional blasting.

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Aquastorm compared to the competition
Technically there a two different working principles for slurry blasting in the market. The Aquastorm principle and others. The “others” regularly work with a pump that is constantly running. The metering of abrasive / slurry is managed by a metering unit. The Aquastorm principle works as described. The pump only delivers the required amount (1-8 litres / min) which makes the wear of the moving parts much less and the most precise abrasive metering possible at the same time. Only this principle is accurate enough to make soft cleaning (facades, monuments etc) possible. For power blasting the output is the same, but the Aquastorm principle makes, because of its accuracy, better savings on abrasive possible. Because of the working principle air pressure and/or airflow do not influence the amount of abrasive used as well.

Operating
a. The machine has 3 regulators. They all regulate the output of the pump.
    1. Maximum capacity: used while filling the pump with water before operating.
    Closed while operating
    2. Regulation of abrasive 1-8 litres/min. Because the slurry contains about 25% of
    water, the actual use of water is 0,25 – 2 litres/min
    3. Extra water. When the operator wants to add water because he feels it is not wet
    enough, he can add water into the slurry / air stream. This does not influence the
    amount of abrasive used.
b. When a refill of abrasive is required, the machine has a special tap which make it possible to let go exactly the     amount of water required for a refill.
c. During the rising of the water level, the pop up valve does not close automatically. For a few second it needs to be lifted.
d. The remote control regulates 2 valves. The slurry valve and the air valve. The slurry valve closes directly and the air valve 0,5 sec later, which avoids congestions in the system.
e. The pump can be supplied with tap water but can suck in water it selves as well. This last feature makes it easily possible to add an inhibitor
f.  Abrasives: any abrasives, as long as it is not water-soluble

Typical Uses
a. Power blasting of steel and concrete surfaces
    Customers compare the process with open blasting. The following features and benefits are applicable
    - Less wear of nozzle, hose etc (up to 90%)
    - Almost no dust
    - Up to 60% saving of abrasives
    - No static electricity
    - No hot sparks
    - Less contamination on the blasted surface (chlorides etc)
    - Hardly any protective clothing necessary
    - Nothing but the blast hose and nozzle for the operator to handle
   
    The disadvantages are:
    - Investment in the machine
    - Water supply necessary
    - 20% less production while blasting with the same pressure (hardly noticeable in practice and less downtime to       dispose abrasives, less refills of abrasives etc)
    - Flash rust can occur. Inhibitor can be added easily because of the self-sucking capability of the pump

Please note that the blasting-time for a 100 liter machine is about the same as a 200 liter machine for conventional blasting.
Especially the saving on costs of abrasives and the disposal can be calculated easily and show a very good earn-back time of generally less than 6 months.
The system is approved by several oil-companies since it is not possible for the operator to shut down the water.

b. Soft blasting
About 50% of these machines in the market are used for soft blasting. The exact metering of the abrasives and the possibility to work at very low pressures, makes this the most professional piece of equipment for this use.
    Applications:
    - concrete
    - facades
    - monuments
    - road marking
    - wood
    - polyester
    - stainless steel (very good with glass beads etc.)