Chapter 1 - Introduction

Abstract

This chapter introduces the techniques of hydroblasting and coating of steel structures. It provides an overview of surface preparation processes, which affect performance and lifetime of coating systems significantly.. Surfaces are prepared by various methods including uncoated surface, metal coated surface, surface painted with prefabrication primer, and painted surface. The three principal surface preparation methods include water, solvent and chemical cleaning; mechanical cleaning including blast-cleaning; and flame cleaning. Water, solvent and chemical cleaning includes water cleaning; steam cleaning; emulsion cleaning; alkaline cleaning; organic-solvent cleaning; cleaning by means of chemical conversion; stripping; and acid picking. The tool of hydroblasting application is a high-speed water jet. Water jet technology has become a state-of-the-art technology not only in the area of surface engineering but is also one of the most flexible techniques available in industrial maintenance. Commercialized water jetting covers aircraft cleaning in the aviation industry; cement kiln and autoclave vessel cleaning in the construction materials industry; pipe cleaning in the municipal and chemical industry; reactor, vessel and container cleaning in the chemistry and oil industry; and roller drum cleaning in the printing industry. The introduction of water jet technology into environmental engineering is one of the most recent developments. Water jets, due to their capability to remove materials selectively, and their heat-flee performance, are ideally suited for separation processes. This technique is used to solve the decontamination and decommissioning of nuclear power equipment; decontamination of soils; dismantling of nuclear power plants; and selective separation of automotive interior compounds.