A blast nozzle thrust reduction blasting system comprising:

a source of blasting gas in a predetermined pressure range with abrasive particles entrained therein;

a nozzle including a nozzle inlet for connection to the source of blasting gas, a nozzle outlet for emission of the blasting gas, a nozzle conduit from the nozzle inlet to the nozzle outlet including a throat therebetween with a ratio of area of the nozzle outlet to area of the throat selected to emit the blasting gas from the nozzle outlet to produce a supersonic jet;

a thrust reducer connectable to the nozzle, to receive the supersonic jet exiting the nozzle, the thrust reducer comprising a body with a thrust reducer conduit therethrough, the body being of sufficient length and diameter to cause a flow condition of the jet received from the nozzle outlet to be modified such that a zone of sub-atmospheric pressure forms adjacent a face of the outlet of the nozzle whereby a pressure differential arises between the zone of sub-atmospheric pressure and surrounding atmosphere thereby creating an anti-thrust force in opposition to thrust of the nozzle.

A method of removing a ceramic coating from a ceramic coated metallic article without damaging the metallic bond coating, the metallic article having a first and second portions, each of the portions comprising a metallic bond coating and a ceramic coating on the metallic bond coating, the ceramic coating on the second portion being less porous than the ceramic coating on the first portion. The method comprises the steps of a) immersing the ceramic coated metallic article in a caustic solution; b) maintaining the ceramic coated metallic article in the caustic solution at atmospheric pressure for a predetermined time period and at a predetermined temperature; c) removing the ceramic coated metallic article from the caustic solution; d) rinsing the ceramic coated metallic article in water at ambient temperature; e) water jet blasting the first portion of the metallic article to remove the ceramic coating; and f) water jet blasting the second portion of the metallic article to remove the ceramic coating.

A method of removing a ceramic coating from a ceramic coated metallic article without damaging the metallic bond coating, the metallic article having a first and second portions, each of the portions comprising a metallic bond coating and a ceramic coating on the metallic bond coating, the ceramic coating on the second portion being less porous than the ceramic coating on the first portion. The method comprises the steps of a) immersing the ceramic coated metallic article in a caustic solution; b) maintaining the ceramic coated metallic article in the caustic solution at atmospheric pressure for a predetermined time period and at a predetermined temperature; c) removing the ceramic coated metallic article from the caustic solution; d) rinsing the ceramic coated metallic article in water at ambient temperature; e) water jet blasting the first portion of the metallic article to remove the ceramic coating; and f) water jet blasting the second portion of the metallic article to remove the ceramic coating.

Reduced noise abrasive blasting assemblies and systems are described. The new assemblies and systems are comprised of standard blast hose, accelerator hose, couplings and nozzle. The improved abrasive blasting system maintains abrasive particle velocity while decreasing the exit gas velocity and consequently decreasing sound production. This is accomplished through an acceleration section with reduced inner diameter and sufficient length to provide the necessary abrasive particle velocity. The new system maintains the productivity and efficiency of conventional abrasive blasting systems but with greatly reduced acoustic noise production and reduces operator fatigue due to the lower weight of the carried portion of the system.

Reduced noise abrasive blasting assemblies and systems are described. The new assemblies and systems are comprised of standard blast hose, accelerator hose, couplings and nozzle. The improved abrasive blasting system maintains abrasive particle velocity while decreasing the exit gas velocity and consequently decreasing sound production. This is accomplished through an acceleration section with reduced inner diameter and sufficient length to provide the necessary abrasive particle velocity. The new system maintains the productivity and efficiency of conventional abrasive blasting systems but with greatly reduced acoustic noise production and reduces operator fatigue due to the lower weight of the carried portion of the system.

A pickling tool configured for pickling a surface of an element, comprising a supply conduit delimiting a supply channel configured to be in pneumatic communication with a source of compressed air laden with a powder of an abrasive product, a removal conduit delimiting a removal channel configured to be in pneumatic communication with a suction source, and a nozzle having an opening that communicates with the exterior and is configured to face the surface, wherein the nozzle is in pneumatic communication with the supply channel and the removal channel Such a tool thus allows the passage of a flow of air for spraying the abrasive and the suction of the abrasive and of the powder arising from abrasion.

A sand blaster is provided that includes an engine carried by an engine mounting plate. A frame is included and an engine support isolator engages the frame and carries the engine mounting plate. The engine support isolator has a stud that extends through a first coil and a stud guide that has a tapered inner surface. The stud extends through the stud guide. In other arrangements an air regulator that is adjustable is provided, and a nozzle that features reduced wear is provided.

A sand blaster is provided that includes an engine carried by an engine mounting plate. A frame is included and an engine support isolator engages the frame and carries the engine mounting plate. The engine support isolator has a stud that extends through a first coil and a stud guide that has a tapered inner surface. The stud extends through the stud guide. In other arrangements an air regulator that is adjustable is provided, and a nozzle that features reduced wear is provided.

A rust inhibiting process 100 for cleaning and protecting a target object 902 is disclosed. Comprising mixing at least a rust inhibitor 620 and a fluid 618 into a slurry mixture 608, spraying the slurry mixture 608 at the target object 902 from within a reservoir 610 of a slurry blasting system 202, separating a tarnished top layer 906 and a parent metal 904 of the target object 902 with a slurry stream 908, cleaning the parent metal 904 with the rust inhibitor 620, preventing the parent metal 904 from impregnating with contaminants during cleaning with the rust inhibitor 620, and protecting the parent metal 904 with the rust inhibitor 620 after spraying is complete. The slurry stream 908 comprises the slurry mixture 608 of the slurry blasting system 202 being sprayed with the slurry blasting system 202. The slurry blasting system 202 comprises a tank 204.

Air flow management systems and methods to facilitate the delivery of abrasives to an abrasive fluid jet cutting head are provided which enable the makeup of the discharged abrasive fluid jet to be controlled or manipulated in a particularly advantageous manner. The methods may include continuously or periodically measuring a volumetric flow rate of air (or other abrasive material carrier fluid) moving through an abrasive feed passageway at one or more measurement locations and adjusting the volumetric flow rate of air (or other abrasive material carrier fluid) moving through the abrasive feed passageway based at least in part on said measuring. Systems and methods for diagnosing changes in operational conditions and/or changes in the condition of one or more components of an abrasive fluid jet cutting system are also provided.