Industrial Overview
Calculating **Abrasive Consumption** is vital for project bidding and logistics planning in shipyards and refineries. Media usage is determined by two primary technical variables: **Nozzle Orifice Diameter** and **Operating Pressure (PSI)**. As a nozzle wears and its bore increases, abrasive consumption rises exponentially, impacting the project's bottom line.
Hourly Consumption (Kg/Hr)
| Nozzle Size | 80 PSI | 100 PSI | 120 PSI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mm (#3) | 120 kg/hr | 150 kg/hr | 185 kg/hr |
| 6.5 mm (#4) | 210 kg/hr | 260 kg/hr | 310 kg/hr |
| 8 mm (#5) | 340 kg/hr | 420 kg/hr | 500 kg/hr |
| 9.5 mm (#6) | 510 kg/hr | 630 kg/hr | 750 kg/hr |
| 11 mm (#7) | 720 kg/hr | 890 kg/hr | 1050 kg/hr |
| 12.5 mm (#8) | 950 kg/hr | 1180 kg/hr | 1400 kg/hr |
*Values based on Garnet (Mesh 30/60). Usage will vary for Steel Grit and Aluminum Oxide (+/- 15%).
The Pressure Factor
Increasing pressure from 100 to 125 PSI can increase cleaning speed by 25%, but it also increases abrasive consumption and nozzle wear. High-pressure blasting requires precision **Abrasive Metering Valves** to maintain the technical air-media ratio.
Nozzle Wear Impact
A nozzle that has worn just 1.5mm larger than its original bore will consume 30% more abrasive per hour. For continuous projects, switching to **Boron Carbide (B4C)** nozzles is the primary strategy for media cost control.