Vacu-Blast blastroom ensures optimum surface preparation for glass-lining of steel vessels

Citation

(1998), "Vacu-Blast blastroom ensures optimum surface preparation for glass-lining of steel vessels", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 45 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.1998.12845eab.005

Vacu-Blast blastroom ensures optimum surface preparation for glass-lining of steel vessels

Methods

Vacu-Blast blastroom ensures optimum surface preparation for glass-lining of steel vessels

Keywords Blastroom, Vacu-Blast

Specialists in the glass lining of steel ­ Pfaudler-Balfour, based in Leven, Fife, UK ­ are using a blastroom specially designed by USF Vacu-Blast, for the internal surface preparation of steel pressure and mixing vessels prior to the application of the company's unique "Glasteel^® 9100" glass lining. The vessels, which measure up to 4 metres in diameter by 10 metres in length, are used primarily in the chemical process, pharmaceutical, brewing, distilling and food industries (Plate 1).

The blastroom's integral high efficiency blast generator-reclaimer unit ensures that the steel grit used in the blasting operation provides a coarse surface key of consistent quality. This is vital for optimum adhesion of the glass to the steel.

During blasting, the grit is recovered via a "Waffle Floor"™ pneumatic recovery floor system. A Vacu-Blast invention, the Waffle-Floor design utilises a constant downdraught of air which directs used grit and debris through a heavy duty floor grille into a series of under-floor "mini-hoppers". These are corrected to a common duct through which the material is conveyed pneumatically to the generator-reclaimer. The latter automatically recycles good grit to the blast nozzle, thereby maintaining consistency of finish, as well as minimising media consumption. Degraded material and debris are directed into the dust collector for safe disposal.

Plate 1 Internal surface preparation in USF Vacu-Blast's blastroom

The floor design removes the need for pre-loading with non-recoverable blast media. The under-floor hoppers and ductwork are automatically purged free of blast media, which allows the type and size of media to be changed easily, if required. The constant downdraught of air also has the inherent advantage of enhancing operator visibility. Waffle-Floor blastrooms can be supplied in any size from 3m × 3m × 3m upwards.

Vacu-Blast/Pfaudler-Balfour

The Pfaudler company glass lining facility is believed to be the only one of its kind in the UK and exports worldwide. The company fabricates the vessels in-house from sheet steel, under strict quality control, and also manufactures the associated agitators and inspection hatches, which are also glass lined.

The "Glasteel"^® process is claimed to be well established as the most effective method of lining steel vessels where resistance to corrosive substances is required, even under extreme thermal conditions. The lining is inert so cannot adversely affect product purity or flavour and resists the build-up of viscous materials. Carried out at 900°C, the process produces a high strength composite which can also be coloured in line with customer specifications. Pfaudler-Balfour is part of the multinational Robbins & Myers group which also uses a Vacu-Blast blastroom at a plant in Belgium.

Further details are available from USF Vacu-Blast Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 17533 526511; Fax: +44 1753 538093.