Despite daily cleaning efforts, industries ranging from food production plants to ethanol facilities know that grime can accumulate rapidly on surfaces.
To address this, many companies rely on time-consuming cleaning methods and harsh chemicals to remove such buildup.
Fortunately, there are now efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternatives. This article focuses on high-pressure water jetting-an excellent industrial cleaning solution suitable for a wide range of applications.
What is water jetting?
High-pressure water jetting uses a high-pressure stream of water, delivered through a controllable nozzle, to remove dirt, grime, and oil from surfaces.
Water jets can be used to clean pipelines, production lines, the interior and exterior surfaces of storage tanks, evaporators, reactors, boilers, sumps, and more-all without the need for harsh chemicals. Furthermore, the powerful impact of the water stream is highly effective at removing stubborn residues like grease.
A key advantage of water jetting is its ability to remove tough grime and debris from a substrate without compromising the substrate's structural integrity. This makes the method ideal for mechanical equipment and can even help extend the equipment's service life.
How does water jetting work?
To understand how high-pressure water jetting works, it is helpful to distinguish between two categories based on operating pressure:
High-pressure water jetting, which operates at pressures above 680 bar (10,000 psi).
Ultra-high-pressure water jetting, which operates at pressures exceeding 1,700 bar (25,000 psi).
In any water jetting operation, the pressure, water volume, and specific tools used are determined by the type of material or debris being removed and the nature of the surface being cleaned.
Technicians must carefully balance pressure and flow rate for the specific task at hand.
Higher pressure provides greater cutting force but covers a smaller area; conversely, a higher flow rate allows for the removal of a larger volume of material.
Hydro-jetting technicians ensure a balance between pressure and flow to successfully clean a facility or site without damaging surfaces or any equipment within the premises.
Why should various industries consider using high-pressure water jetting?
Across a wide range of industrial environments, high-pressure water jetting offers the following benefits:
Versatility for jobs of all sizes
Using spray guns or "shotgun" tools equipped with precision nozzles, high-pressure water jetting can effectively clean small, hard-to-reach areas.
By directing the nozzle toward specific, small targets, operators can achieve precise cleaning while maintaining high pressure. Larger nozzles can also be used for cleaning broader surfaces, such as floors and walls.
Environmentally friendly
Many industries are committed to adopting eco-friendly cleaning solutions, making high-pressure water jetting an ideal choice. It requires no chemicals or abrasives, making it both environmentally responsible and safe for the surrounding area.
Because it uses only water, high-pressure water jetting leaves behind no residues or particulate matter-another significant environmental advantage.
Fast and effective
High-pressure water jetting is rapid and efficient, making it particularly well-suited for facilities such as ethanol plants. Furthermore, it helps minimize downtime, as equipment and surfaces can be cleaned without requiring long operational stoppages.
