DRY BLAST AND WATERJETTING UNITS FOR VERTICAL SURFACES: A REVIEW

Abstract

The most recent developments in dry abrasive blasting and ultra-high-pressure (UHP) waterjetting equipment are remote-controlled, robotic-type blasting units for vertical surfaces. These units are designed to crawl along the surface of a ship hull, a storage tank, or a cooling tower while being operated from the ground. They bring the advantages of enclosed, dust-free blasting operations out of the shop and into the field. Dry blasting units of this type are not new for horizontal surfaces. What is different about this technology for dry blasting is that these units work effectively on vertical surfaces, as do the UHP waterjetting units. The first half of this article describes five such units currently available on the American and European markets. The second half of the article describes waterjetting systems for vertical surfaces available on the American and European markets. Details for contacting the companies are given at the end of the article.