Converting from Coal Slag

to Blastrite B60 or B90 grit

Over a number of years, Blastrite (Pty) Ltd has successfully demonstrated that
substantial cost savings can be made by contractors through conversion from coal slag
based abrasives to Blastrite Platinum slag based products. Several users have made
the conversion successfully and their ongoing use of Blastrite grit and continued cost
savings are testimony to the performance of platinum slag. However, new users will
sometimes receive their first consignment of Blastrite grit and, through neglecting to
make some fundamental changes to operational settings, are disappointed with its
performance. This document addresses the dos and donts of how to get the best
performance and substantial cost savings from Blastrite grit.

The difference between Coal and Platinum Slag

Many users refer to slags generically and assume that coal, copper, nickel etc slags all
have similar or identical physical characteristics. This is far from the truth:
The SG of coal slag is approx 2.2 to 2.4. Platinum slag is 3.2, about 40%
heavier!
Blastrite (platinum slag) has a much lower propensity to fracture on impact
than coal slags results in higher kinetic energy being transferred to the work
surface and lower dust.

Principles behind the grading of Blastrite B60 and B90 grit

At 7 bar air pressure, we have not found any slag product that will perform better than
B60. It is our premium product. The grading is based on the principle Use the
smallest particle size that is capable of removing the contaminant. As a standard
contaminant, we chose heavy rust and/or millscale. In certain practical situations,
such as a dry dock, 7 bar air pressure is not always possible, hence the introduction of
B90. B90 is almost identical to B60 but has approximately 10-15% coarser particles
up to 1,5mm in diameter to make up for air pressure and energy losses and allowing
users to operate at pressures as low as 5 bar.

Dos and Donts when converting from coal to platinum slag

Do:

Demonstrate the difference in productive performance to operators and

explain that finer grit has been deliberately ordered. It is not a mistake!
Stress lower dust when used correctly.

Limit abrasive flow at pots. Flow rate of finer particles of platinum slag
should be greatly reduced as there are many more particles per kilogram.
Orifice in grit valve should be <80% the size of blast nozzle being used.
Incorrect abrasive flow rate (too high/rich) is the most common mistake
when converting to platinum slag.
Do ask for supplier support
Do use venturi type nozzles
Do check air pressure (hypodermic meter) and ensure that maximum air
pressure is achieved (standard common practice)

Dont:

Dont leave grit valve settings as per those used for coal slag. These
settings will be hopelessly too rich for Blastrite B90.
Dont leave new operators unsupervised until satisfied that the new
settings have been accepted and optimised.
Dont expect that there will be no resistance to change. There always
is. Stress that lower costs = job security and low dust = improved
occupational safety conditions.