Closed-Circuit guns allow in situ blast cleaning

Citation

(2001), "Closed-Circuit guns allow in situ blast cleaning", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 48 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2001.12848aab.013

Closed-Circuit guns allow in situ blast cleaning

Closed-Circuit guns allow in situ blast cleaning

Keywords: USF Vacu-Blast, Blasting, Cleaning

Not only does the "Closed-Circuit" mobile abrasive blasting system from USF Vacu-Blast International claim a solution to the dust and pollution problems associated with abrasive blasting on site, but it also claims to facilitate the blast cleaning of internal and external angles, plate edges, curved surfaces like pipes, even hot welds. This is believed to make the system ideal for in situ surface preparation and cleaning applications – preparation for welding, rust, paint and corrosion removal, and post-weld cleaning, for example – on all types of fabrications, plant and equipment.

A Vacu-Blast invention developed originally for cleaning the decks of ships, the big advantage claimed of the Closed-Circuit system is that it creates no dust and can operate safely in close proximity to and without hindering other equipment or processes – grinding, welding or painting, for example.

Vacu-Blast Closed-Circuit machines employ a special brush-sealed blast gun which both delivers the abrasive blast media and recovers it simultaneously by vacuum, together with resultant dust and debris. The blast guns can be supplied with shaped brush seals, in different profiles – angular blasted. Other special guns are also available (Plate 2): an "edge gun" which simultaneously cleans the top edge and immediate sides of metal plate material prior to welding; a gun for cleaning hot welds which incorporates a phosphor-bronze brush seal; and larger guns with castors for cleaning large, flat, horizontal areas.

Plate 2 Two examples of the Closed-Circuit guns: left, an "edge gun"; right: a gun for cleaning hot welds

During the blasting operation, the Closed-Circuit machine's power-pack automatically separates out reusable media and recycles it to the gun. Degraded media, dust and debris are directed into a dust collector for safe disposal. This integral, continuous regrading and recycling process reportedly ensures a consistent, high quality surface finish and minimises blast media consumption.

Vacu-Blast Closed-Circuit machines come in suction- and pressure-fed versions, in a range of sizes to suit low and high capacity applications and can be used with all types of abrasive blast media, including plastic and organic materials.

Further details are available from USF Vacu-Blast International. Tel: +44 (0)1753 526511; Fax: +44 (0)1753 538093; e-mail: info@vacu-blast.co.uk