1. Achieving Efficiency in Abrasive Blasting William P. Nelson Schmidt Engineered Abrasive Systems Sponsored by:

2. What is the Definition of “Efficiency”?  Abrasive blasting is defined as a controlled erosion process whereas your productivity is measured by how much area is blasted, in what time frame and by using how much abrasive

3. What is Abrasive Blasting?  “To combine the energy of compressed air with a granular abrasive, which is propelled to impact a surface in a controlled, repeatable and predictable surface preparation method.”

4. Enemies of any Air Blast System  Insufficient air supply  Moisture  Pressure drop

5. Enemy #1 Insufficient Air Supply  You lose 1.5% of productivity for every 1 psi reduction in blast nozzle pressure (As stated in research by NACE)

6. Enemy #1 Insufficient Air Supply NOZZLE No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 No. 7 No. 8 Orifice Size 1/4”5/16”3/8”7/16”1/2” CFM @ 100 psi 90150200270350 (All figures are approximate)

7. Enemy #2 Moisture  Increased operating costs  Increased material costs  Decreased operating efficiencies  Reduced productivity

8. Enemy #2 Moisture How does water get into the compressed air?  All air contains moisture  As the air is compressed, any moisture in it will also be compressed  As you compress the air/moisture, it heats up  Hot air retains moisture remaining a vapor So…How do you remove moisture?

9. Enemy #2 Moisture Convert moisture from a vapor to a solid (water droplets) HOW? By cooling the air you can then remove the moisture: ► By expansion (Moisture Trap) ► Use of radiator (ACS) Once the air is cooled, you have to separate it: ► Demister Pad ► Centrifugal ► Absorption / Adsorption

10. Enemy #2 Moisture 3” Air Inlet 1) 3” Outlet 2) 2” Outlet 4) 1” Outlet Aftercooler System

11. Enemy #2 Moisture 1500 CFM Air Compressor Water Volume in Air 75° Ambient Air 75% RH 270 gal./day 200°90° 90 Gal/day 180 Gal/day

12. Enemy #3 Pressure Drop  Nozzles  Hoses; Blast & Air  Restrictive Piping

13. Enemy #3 Pressure Drop

14. Nozzle Wear

15. Hoses & Set-Up

16. Enemy #3 Pressure Drop AutoAirValve

17. High-FlowAutoAirValve

18. Proper Set-Up

19. Difference of Control System Types PRESSURE HOLD NON-PRESSURE HOLD

20. Non-Pressure Hold System

21. Pressure Hold System

22. Fine Tuning an Abrasive Blast System Adjustments can be made to the following for enhanced productivity:  Abrasive metering  Minimizing pressure drop & increasing air flow  Hose length, hose size, couplings  Nozzle size  Moisture in air

23. Achieving Efficiency in Abrasive Blasting THANK YOU Sponsored by: