| Water jetting has the advantage of not producing | | | | small nozzle heads that can enter pipes of a small |
| dust particles. This can allow other nearby activities | | | | diameter. Because pipes often have bends, the water |
| to take place unhindered. Water jetting can clean | | | | jets also need to be flexible enough to cope with the |
| surfaces to the highest possible standard, providing | | | | changing conditions it will encounter. This is by |
| the best surface preparation for industrial painting, for | | | | necessity a remotely controlled operation and variable |
| example. | | | | speed control allows it to manage all likely situations. |
| Water jet machines can be powered by an electric | | | | Efficient water jet machines have a low water usage |
| motor or a diesel engine. They can be provided as | | | | rate. They can employ filtration and recycling |
| high pressure or ultra high pressure devices. The | | | | methods which eliminate the need for continuous |
| range of applications they can undertake is | | | | water replenishing and associated water wastage. |
| impressive. Apart from surface preparation they can | | | | This can make the system very cost effective. |
| be used for cleaning tanks and vessels. They can also | | | | Most water jetting operations are done using cold |
| be used for cold cutting. | | | | water. However, it is equally possible to have hot |
| In cold cutting a high pressure water jet is used in | | | | water jetting too. Hot water can be pumped at high |
| combination with a sharp edged abrasive compound. | | | | pressure at a heat of up to 70 degrees Celsius, |
| This works well on steel and concrete as well as on | | | | though the normal operating temperature of a hot |
| other materials. Little or insignificant heat is | | | | water system is cooler at around 50 to 55 degrees |
| generated, which makes this cutting method very | | | | Celsius. |
| suitable in cases where the usual heat generated by | | | | Water jet machines are an extremely useful tool in |
| cutting is undesirable. | | | | many industries, but especially in the offshore oil |
| Cold cutting is potentially dangerous as an extremely | | | | industry. They allow the safe cleaning of many |
| high pressure of water is used. For this reason | | | | structures for a whole range of purposes. They can |
| operators must be properly trained and must wear | | | | be used to provide the highest level of cleaning for |
| the proper safety clothes and equipment. For obvious | | | | surface preparation prior to resurfacing, or they can |
| reasons the operators involved in cold cutting do not | | | | be used to de-scale pipe work where no other |
| remain close to the cutting jet. It is operated at a | | | | application can be nearly as effective. Water jetting |
| safe and remote distance. | | | | with abrasive also provides a precision cold cutting |
| Water jet machines are useful in removing scaling | | | | tool for use in hazardous areas where hot cutting |
| from the inside of pipe work. By necessity the | | | | may not be advisable. |
| equipment used in these cases involves the use of | | | | |