Hydroblasting is one of our core disciplines at Vecta Environmental and a staple of the “industrial services” banner. A simple definition of hydroblasting is the process of using specialized water pumps to intensify water pressure to remove grime and hard deposits from equipment/surfaces. Hydro blasting is usually associated with petrochemical plant maintenance and turnaround work. This is not to be mistaken with pressure washing as the PSI of this water is much higher.
Hydroblasting (also known as water jetting or water blasting) has many different subsets depending upon the job scope and often plant safety requirements.
Pump ranges vary but are generally in this “ballpark”:
| Model | Pressure Range | Flow Range | Power Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 125 | 6,000-40,000 PSI | 4.4 GPM to 32.5 GPM | 125HP to 145HP |
| 225 | 8,000-40,000 PSI | 6 GPM to 82 GPM | 200HP to 350HP |
| 325 | 8,000-40,000 PSI | 12 GPM to 69 GPM | 365HP to 450HP |
| 605 | 4,000-40,000 PSI | 20 GPM to 200 GPM | 457HP to 600 HP |
Traditional Hydroblasting
Traditional hydroblasting consists of typically using a 10K, 20K or 40K piece of equipment and a 3 person crew. There are an equipment operator and two technicians. This process and set up allows for great flexibility in scope and to adjust if the scope changes.
- Pros
- Fast and flexible
- Cons
- Some clients require automation
Automation in Hydroblasting
In the last 5 to 10 years, the hydroblasting market has been moving to include “automation.” This move has been led by the quest to mitigate human injury. A plethora of different types of equipment has been created for various redundant tasks where the equipment operator is removed from the line of fire. Simply put…think remote control robots. As with all things in life, there are pros and cons:
- Pros
- Safety
- Cons
- More expensive and time-consuming
Hydroblasting and Turnarounds
Hydroblasting is common in “turnarounds.” Turnarounds are when plants are shut down for maintenance. Vecta performs turnaround work on a regular basis supplying up to 10 thee person crews for 12 hour shifts/24 hours per day. Vecta has the experience necessary to facilitate your hydroblasting work on turnarounds. We perform turnaround work for Honeywell, Georgia Pacific, Kinder Morgan, Eastman, and others.
The typical crew consists of a hydro blaster operator, tow technicians, a pump and a pickup truck. Crews are staggered in such a way to ensure safety and productivity. Multiple crews may justify a project manager.
The Bottom Dollar
When choosing a supplier for hydroblasting you need to look at a few things such as location, equipment, and a good safety record for sure. That said, in the end, hydroblasting is a skilled trade and it comes down to the person out there running the “rig” and pulling the hoses. Vecta’s place in the hydroblasting market is to provide quality and consistency. We are able to run consistently because of our company size and growth expectations are set by ownership, not a board. We are owned by guys who came up in the field and we are very careful in hiring. We quantify experience, check resumes and train the people who are new to the industry. The Industrial Services industry has become dominated by billion dollar corporations where the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing. At Vecta ownership is actively involved in the day to day business and still emphasize a family environment. That starts with knowing the folks who are running the equipment and representing the company. This translates in to a more sane work environment which is how quality is achieved.
Our mission at Vecta Environmental is to be the most trusted name in industrial services by advocating for our customer, valuing every member of our team, and maintaining accountability in everything we do. 24/7. Call us at 888-515-4025 or Contact Us.