WJA Case Study – Hydrodemolition Refractory Removal
Robotic ultra-high pressure water jetting has removed refractory from a biomass furnace, allowing its operator to resume power generation quickly and efficiently.
The hydrodemolition process removed the heat-resistant material more effectively and safely than the alternative of mechanical demolition.
The maintenance project was carried out at a biomass energy plant located in a cardboard paper mill in Cumbria.
Refractory removal is become an increasingly important industrial process as more biomass plants are opened to burn waste or renewable materials for energy generation.
In our case study, WJA member Hydroblast explains how its use of semi-automated water jetting ensured the project could be completed a day ahead of schedule.
Hydroblast Operations Director Ross McDonald says: “Unlike mechanical removal, hydrodemolition causes very little hand-arm vibration. Also, it’s very efficient, taking the furnace wall back to bare metal.”