How to Select and Optimize Abrasive Blasting Equipment

Agenda Factors to Consider for System Selection Optimizing System Performance Through Component Selection System Settings for Maximum Efficiency

Factors to Consider for System Selection

Four Critical Design Components Portability Pressure pot and water tank capacity Media flow rate Volumetric air flow

Volumetric Air Flow Capacity & Control Determined by the internal components that make up the blast circuit Internal diameter of the piping Geometry of the piping (e.g., bends, tees, and reductions) Air and blast hose connections Main air regulator

Job Size Large, high-production jobs or jobs with difficult- to-remove coatings 375 cfm or greater Small jobs with detailed work or easy-to-remove coatings 185 cfm or less

Media Flow Rate Capacity & Control Water pump Media flow control valve

Media & Water Storage Capacity Vapor Abrasive® Blaster Wet Abrasive Blaster (or modified sandblaster) VS. Water tank supplies water to the pressure pot Some come with water tanks so you can refill after both water and media run out High abrasive and water consumption. Check blast time before purchasing. Important to point out some wet abrasive systems don’t use a water tank. Explain why.

Example of media and water storage Graco EcoQuip 2 EQm Dustless DB800 Weight (empty): 370 lbs. Dimensions: 35.1 "L x 25.7" W x 47.4" H Media capacity: 300 lbs. of crushed glass Water supply from garden hose connected to machine Weight (empty): 427 lbs. Dimensions: 40"L x 36"W x 64"H Media capacity: 300 lbs. of media External water supply needed

Portability System weight and overall dimensions affect portability and efficiency Select system based on the job size, job frequency, and job locations

Examples of small, portable units

Optimizing System Performance through Component Selection After a system has been selected based on job demands, the individual components need to be selected. Selection of compressor, blast nozzle, blast hose, and media selection are all key factors in improving production and profits.

Compressor 115 – 185 cfm compressors: Ideal for small to medium-sized jobs 300 cfm or higher compressor: Works well for large jobs

Blast Nozzle What blast pressure is required to prepare the surface effectively?

Blast Nozzle Nozzle Throat The throat dimension and geometry affects system performance, blast hose selection, and system settings, since it controls the maximum air flow at desired blast pressure. Labeled or described by the throat diameter in 1/16-inch increments Venturi nozzle Wide Throat nozzle Straight Bore nozzle Double Venturi nozzle

Blast Nozzle Blast Pressure 25-55 psi - Monument Restoration, Cleaning, Soft Stone, Wood, Aluminum, Restoration and Remediation, Efflorescence Removal, Graffiti Removal, Parts Cleaning 56-90 psi - Concrete Cleaning, Building Restoration, Line Stripe Removal, Pitted Paint Removal, Rust Removal, Loose Mill Scale Removal 91-120 psi - Concrete Surface Prep, Exposing Aggregate, Steel Surface Prep, Mill Scale and Coating Removal 121-175 psi - White Metal Blast to Near White Metal Blast, Tight Mill Scale Removal, Removal of Layered Coatings and Polyurea Removal

Blast Hose The blast hose plays a simple, but critical role: transport air, media, and water to the blast nozzle If Air Flow < 100 cfm use a 0.5-inch blast hose If Air Flow 101-300 cfm use a 1-inch blast hose If Air Flow 300 cfm > use a 1.25-inch blast hose

Media There are a few things to consider before selecting the right media type. Based on what substrate you will be blasting on your next job, as well as the desired surface finish,… Abrasive size, commonly referred to in mesh or grit, affects blast equipment performance

Media Smaller abrasive particles reduce the water-to-media ratio, since there is less space between the abrasive particles when pressurized in the system. Larger abrasive particles increase the water-to-media ratio due to larger spaces between the particles while pressurized. Example: If one quart of water per minute enters the pressure pot, one quart of water and media mixtures leave the pressure pot. If a fine media is being used, the quart of mixture entering the blast stream will have a greater total mass, than if a courser media, since the abrasive is denser than the water. There are a few things to consider before selecting the right media type. Based on what substrate you will be blasting on your next job, as well as the desired surface finish,…

System Settings for Maximum Efficiency

Three important components for achieving desired Blast Pressure

Blast Pressure Tough, thick coatings require a high blast pressure Easy-to-remove coatings require a lower pressure Care should be taken when removing tough coatings off delicate substrates since the substrate can be damaged when the coating is removed

Blast Pressure + +

Five important components to achieve desired Abrasive Consumption Rate Abrasive Meter Valve Set Point Blast Pressure Air Flow Air Velocity Abrasive Size and Density

Abrasive Consumption Rate Maximum abrasive consumption rate does not always provide the best production rates and blasting efficiency

Educational Resources

For more information or to request a demo, visit Graco.com/ecoquip

www.graco.com/EcoQuip