CO2 Blasting

Quality Nuclear’s CO2 blasting service is ideal for tool and equipment decontamination support. This non-destructive method of cleaning has proven to be very effective in the removal of loose surface contaminants.

Blast Unit:

The blast unit is the MiniBlast model PLT-5 built by Ahpheus Cleaning Technologies. The unit is pneumatically driven and needs no other source to operate. It is constructed of reinforced stainless steel, is compact in size and can be easily moved to different areas in the plant for use if necessary. The PLT-5 has an operating supply pressure range of 70 to 300 psig. QNS has operated this unit very successfully using plant air systems at 125 psig. The blasting pressure is adjustable from 40 to 250 psig. The unit uses high-density CO2 ice pellets as the blast media. When blasting, the ice on impact changes from a solid to a gaseous state thus leaving only the contaminants for waste disposal.

Advantages:

  • Mobility
  • No media waste generated
  • Environmentally safe
  • High decontamination factor
  • Non destructive process
  • No water as in conventional Ice Blasting operations

Blast Gun:

Two different types of blast gun attachments are utilized for our projects. One is the standard barrel attachment that is supplied with the unit. This gun directs the ice pellets in a concentrated narrow stream for optimum cleaning power. It is very efficient when cleaning small items.
The second attachment is a fan type nozzle that directs the pellets in a wider pattern to clean items with larger surface areas in less time than with the standard gun attachment.

COZ Pellets:

CO2 pellets are manufactured off-site and are delivered to the site on a pre-determined schedule based on blasting needs. Quality Nuclear purchases the pellets from one of two manufacturing companies depending on location.

Applications:

  • Hand Tools
  • Plant Equipment
  • Lead Blankets/Bricks
  • Electrical Switch-gear
  • Lead Paint Removal
  • Scaffolding
  • Concrete floors/walls
  • Building exteriors
  • Reactor Head stud bolts

Quality Nuclear has free released items such as hand tools, scaffolding, electric motors and other plant equipment that conventional cleaning methods would not accomplish.