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Water Blasting and Boiler Refractory

Oil refinery at sunrise

Call Jet Blast for boiler refractory removal in Maryland!

Jet Blast Inc. is an expert in water jet blasting, having performed countless water blasting and industrial vacuuming jobs for decades. Their employees undergo training and continuing education, keeping up with the best practices for the work at hand and maintaining safety. Jet Blast serves many different needs, one of which is boiler refractory removal. What’s the relationship between water blasting and boiler refractory? Find out below.

The Importance of Boiler Refractory

Refractory is the coating inside of boiler, incinerator, and furnace walls that protects the machines’ shells from the heat and chemicals within them. Power plants use boilers to create high-pressure steam, which generates electricity. This refractory is made of a number of components, such as alumina, zirconia, dolomite, magnesite, fireclays, etc.

Problems That Could Arise

Over time, boiler refractory, as with any refractory, breaks down and needs repairing and replacing. Failure to maintain the boiler refractory will result in major power plant downtime and endanger lives.

What does that refractory damage look like? Cracks are actually normal; they form due to the refractory expansion and contraction with the temperature. However, spalling causes major damage. Spalling is when the material expands and contracts enough that pieces (called spalls) fall off.

This breaking apart would eventually result in boiler leakage and hot spots on the boiler, at which point it is definitely time to make repairs. The boiler refractory is supposed to retain heat even when the boiler is not operating to conserve and preserve energy; when it is broken up enough, it will lose the power plant time, energy, and costs.

How Water Blasting Saves the Day: Boiler Refractory Removal

Boiler refractory removal is necessary for any type of boiler maintenance. Water jet blasting is a highly beneficial method for removing this lining for the following reasons:

  • Accurate and doesn’t damage the boiler itself
  • Completely removes refractory 
  • Prepares surface for better refractory adhesion
  • Gets into hard-to-reach places
  • The process can be automated, maintaining safety
  • Minimal downtime 

Contact Jet Blast Inc. Today!

Jet Blast® Industrial Services strives every day in an effort to provide our customers with the best service and equipment possible. Providing a safe and stable workplace has allowed us to keep a team of quality people, with most having a tenure of 15 – 25 years with Jet Blast®. With all that experience under one roof, we have been able to provide reliable 24-hour service since 1979. I believe this helps to set us apart from the competition.

Compare us! Let us make your job easier. If you’re located in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Northern Virginia, or Washington, D.C., contact us by email at [email protected], call us at 410-636-0730, or fax us at 410-789-3907, and don’t forget to keep in touch with us on Facebook!

This entry was posted on Monday, July 31st, 2023 at 11:16 am. Both comments and pings are currently closed.