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

7
 Media & Water Storage Capacity
Vapor Abrasive® Blaster Wet Abrasive Blaster
(or modified sandblaster)

VS.

Water tank – Some come with water tanks so

supplies you can refill after both water
water to the and media run out
pressure pot
– High abrasive and water
consumption. Check blast time
before purchasing.
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
 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

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.
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