Recycling abrasive material
After abrasive blasting, the abrasive material is mixed with dust and particles of the material being removed. It is possible to collect, clean and reuse abrasive material. This involves:
Collection
Which is best done by vacuum recovery as this creates least disturbance. Sweeping or compressed air blowdown should be avoided.
Cleaning
The following contaminants should be removed before reuse:
- oversize trash, for example, rust and paint flakes
- toxic dust, for example, lead from paint material
- nuisance dust, for example, fine shattered abrasive grains
- respirable dust, for example, powdered material that will penetrate the lower respiratory system.
Reuse
The collected material will contain various contaminants as well as the reusable abrasive grains. The contaminants must be separated from the media by passing though engineered equipment including airwashes, cyclones and screens as required, before it can be returned to the blast machine for reuse.
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