Frequently Asked Questions
What is wet abrasive blasting?
Wet abrasive blasting is also known as wet blasting, slurry blasting, liquid honing and vapour blasting. Wet abrasive blasting uses a combination of water, abrasive blast media and compressed air to remove a range of coatings, corrosion and residues. The majority of wet abrasive blasting systems use blast media which only joins with the water at the nozzle, this method allows some blast media to exit the nozzle without water. The blast media hits the blast surface and can cause sparks which can have catastrophic consequences if used in flammable areas or structures such as oil rigs and gas terminals. In addition, the grit will embed in the surface leaving it uneven and unclean thereby affecting the longevity of future coatings. In short, the method of combining blast media, water and air employed by the majority of wet abrasive systems is inefficient, ineffective and lacks any form of control.
Why is a Quill Falcon Cyclone System different to a wet blasting system?
The Quill Falcon combines the water, blast media and air in a unique patented method that prevents any sparks being created and ensures the best, most efficient use of the air, water and blast media possible. Due to the unique patented design, the Quill Falcon allows operatives to increase or decrease the amount of water, blast media and air which gives greater control and precision over the entire blast process. Unlike standard wet abrasive blasting, he patented Quill Falcon System rapidly removes coatings, corrosion and residues leaving surfaces profiled, contaminant free and cleaned to SA 2 ½ , HB 2 ½, SB 2 ½, NACE VIS 9, WAB 6/10 in seconds thereby allowing future applied coatings to stick better for longer.
What is the difference between sand blasting/dry blasting and the Quill Falcon Cyclone System?
Dry blasting involves forcing blast media along a blast hose at high pressure. Large amounts of heat and friction are produced causing the blast media to explode on impact with the blasting surface, making it less effective and causing large clouds of abrasive dust to form in the atmosphere. This dust makes visibility extremely poor and in some cases stops other works being carried out on site. The blast media remains embedded in the blast surface leaving it uneven and unclean which will affect the quality and longevity of future coatings. The heat and friction caused by this process can in some cases also warp metal blast surfaces.
The Quill Falcon Cyclone System uses a combination of compressed air, water and blast media so only a fraction of the amount of blast media is required when compared to dry blasting. The Quill Falcon allows operatives to increase or decrease the amount of water, blast media and air which gives greater control and precision over the entire blast process. The blast media is cushioned by water along the blast hose meaning no heat, friction or dust are produced with this method and no warping of the blasted surface can occur. The presence of water allows the blast media to travel at greater speeds along the hose which means the blast media has a greater effect on impact with the blasted surface. The water micro-washes the blast media from the blasted surface leaving it clean, profiled and contaminant free ensuring the best possible bonding strength is achieved with future surface coatings. This therefore makes the Quill Falcon Cyclone System an extremely cost effective and environmentally sound surface preparation method.
What is the difference between Ultra High Pressure (UHP) jetting and the Quill Falcon Cyclone System?
Ultra-High Pressure (UHP) jetting involves using water at extreme pressures of up to 60,000 psi to clean surfaces. Working at these high pressures can be extremely dangerous and requires skilled operatives wearing specialist metal turtle jackets. UHP jetting does not profile surfaces and lacks the precision and control of the Quill Falcon Cyclone System. The Quill Falcon uses significantly less water than UHP jetting and operates at a maximum of 100 psi making it a lot safer and therefore a lot easier and cheaper to obtain public liability insurance.
What are the benefits of the Quill Falcon Cyclone System?
In a nutshell, when compared to a dry blaster/sandblaster, the Quill Falcon Cyclone System eliminates ambient dust, allows operatives greater control over the entire blast process, eliminates abrasive embedment in blasted surfaces, produces a clean, profiled and contaminant free surface finish and uses a fraction of the blast media required by a sandblaster/dry blasting machine. These factors consequently make the Quill Falcon Cyclone System the safest, greenest, most economical and technologically advanced blasting system available on the market today.
How does a Quill Falcon Cyclone System work?
Blast media coated in a water jacket by surface tension, increases speed and mass, enhancing the force of impact upon the blast surface. Water presence lubricates and eliminates hose and nozzle wear.
Blast media hits the surface, the water jacket continues moving but continues to hold on to the blast media due to the surface tension. The water jacket hits the surface and prevents any grit bounce.
The water jacket snaps round the blast media into the crack under the blast surface and hydrostatically blasts a larger amount of surface coating away.
End result is a profiled surface, feathered edges and the most efficient use of the least amount of blast media and water.
How fast is a Quill Falcon Cyclone System compared to a sandblaster/dry blaster?
The Quill Falcon is capable of achieving the same blasting rates as a sandblasting/dry blasting machine. A number of factors including blast media, nozzle type, dosing dial settings, compressor quality, thickness and type of surface coating to be removed and operatives’ experience will all have an effect on the speed of the Quill Falcon Cyclone System.
What type of blasting media can be used in a Quill Falcon Cyclone System?
All conventional blast media can be used from baking soda, copper slag and olivine to walnut shell, glass, garnet and stone. There are only two types of blast media you cannot use in a Quill Falcon Cyclone System:
- Any blast media containing steel or ferrous material.
- Blast media which has a uniform size, ie, all one size. We recommend a mix of grit particle size from 0.2 – 1.6mm.
How many square metres per hour can I blast with a Quill Falcon Cyclone System?
This varies due to a number of factors including thickness and type of surface coating to be removed, type of blast media used, nozzle type used, dosing dial setting, quality of compressor and operatives’ experience. To give an estimate however, the Quill Falcon Cyclone can typically blast between 9 to 20m² per hour. This figure can, however, rise to 40m² per hour or fall as low as 1m² per hour, depending on the variables mentioned above.
What about gingering or flash rust after I have blasted the surface?
Flash rust preventing solutions (such as HoldTight 102) can be auto dosed through the Quill Falcon Cyclone during the blast process. Alternatively, the Quill Falcon has the capability to allow operatives to blast, wash and then air dry the surface providing the optimum clean, contaminant free and profiled surface for new coatings to be applied.
Give me 5 reasons why I should use a Quill Falcon Cyclone System?
- Up to 50% faster, blasts up to 20m² per hour, we were quick before but you should see us now!
- Consumes up to 80% less water and up to 70% less grit, meaning there is less grit to purchase, clear up and dispose of.
- Profiles and cleans to SA 2½ , HB 2½, SB 2½, NACE VIS 9, WAB 6/10, removes soluble salts and chlorides and feather edges for quality repairs meaning new coatings stick better for longer.
- Up to 21dB less noise and less gingering than with a dry blaster.
- Ex-rated, Zone 1 approved, Baseefa accredited, TuV, ATEX and NORSOK compliant.
What safety standards does the Quill Falcon Cyclone System come with?
The Quill Falcon Cyclone System offers the highest level of international safety standards being Zone 1 approved, Ex-rated, Baseefa accredited, TuV, ATEX and NORSOK compliant which is why the world’s leading oil and gas suppliers choose the Quill Falcon Cyclone System time and time again.
Will I receive training with the Quill Falcon Cyclone System?
When a customer hires or buys a Quill Falcon Cyclone System we provide them and their staff with free on-site training. Our team of experienced trainers consist of the very people that build and refurbish the Quill Falcons day in, day out making their skillset perfect for ensuring you and your team receive the best and most thorough training in the setting up and safe operation of the system. Our training is usually conducted at the customer’s premises for convenience and is suitable for both novice and experienced blasters. The training we provide has a practical base, which means the benefits are immediate and we aim, wherever possible, to provide specific training in equipment and techniques relevant to the company or individual applications being undertaken. After the training is completed, the successful trainees are presented with a Basic Training Certificate. In addition, electronic workshop manuals, operators step by step guides and access to help and advice from our superb team of engineers are just a few of the examples of the lengths we go to, to ensure that our customer’s training needs and expectations are met at every level.
What coatings, corrosion and residues does the Quill Falcon Cyclone System remove?
The Quill Falcon Cyclone System can remove the toughest of coatings including bitumen from pipelines yet can be adjusted to clean fragile surfaces including glass, sandstone and critical weld fixtures. The Quill Falcon Cyclone System can also remove Artex, limpet residue, encapsulated asbestos debris and floor tile adhesive, all without damaging polythene enclosures. From industrial coatings, rust, soot, fire damaged surfaces, flood damaged surfaces, corrosion, paint and bitumen to permanent and temporary thermo plastic paint, temporary road marking tape, surface dressing emulsions, resin-based paints, anti-skid surfacing and graffiti. The Quill Falcon is extremely fast, flexible and versatile at removing a wide range of coatings, corrosion and residues from an even wider range of surfaces, including metal and non-ferrous metals, glass, stone, brick, wood, fibre glass, concrete and asphalt.
Is the Quill Falcon Cyclone System expensive?
The Quill Falcon Cyclone System can reach the same speeds as a dry blaster or sandblaster, yet it only requires a fraction of the blast media to achieve a superiorly cleaned, contaminant free, profiled finish. So not only do users of the Quill Falcon Cyclone System save money due to the amount of blast media required at the start of the job, but they also save money on blast media disposal costs and time spent clearing site at the end of the job. Additionally, due to the unique patented method of the Quill Falcon where the water contains the spent blast media, another cost saving can be found as there is little or no need for expensive enclosures or containment structures to protect adjacent buildings or equipment. In fact, the majority of our customers find that other works around site can continue when they are using the Quill Falcon thereby preventing expensive shut downs or delays.
What Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn when operating a Quill Falcon Cyclone System?
A hard helmet, ear protection, including ear plugs and ear defenders, full face visor, work overalls, leather industrial work gloves, toe protected boots and a respiration mask, or, for confined spaces and toxic coating removal, full breathing apparatus must be employed before operating the Quill Falcon Cyclone System. An HSE risk assessment that adheres to Government legislation must be completed before using the Quill Falcon Cyclone System.
Where in the world is the Quill Falcon Cyclone System employed?
The Quill Falcon Cyclone System can be found on 6 of the world’s 7 continents in over 30 different countries including; Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, U.S.A, Canada, France, Russia, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Trinidad, Nigeria, India, Algeria, Spain, Angola, Portugal, Brazil, Italy, Japan, China, United Kingdom, Ireland, The Netherlands, Timor Leste, Thailand, New Zealand, Chile and Argentina.
What is the Quill Falcon Cyclone system employed on?
The Quill Falcon Cyclone System is employed on a wide range of structures including offshore rigs, drilling platforms, FPSO’s, ULCC’s, VLCC’s, aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, destroyers, mine sweepers, wooden fishing vessels, aluminium research vessels, RoRo’s, LNG vessels, cargo ships, narrow boats, yachts, jack-up barges, dry docks, highways, bridges, buildings, historical monuments, homes, underground tube stations, airports, gas and oil terminals, hospitals, vehicles, power stations, water towers, stately homes, schools, universities and colleges to name but a few!
Do you offer servicing and/or breakdown support for the Quill Falcon Cyclone System?
When you hire or buy a Quill Falcon Cyclone System you will gain access to our team of highly experienced service engineers who will be only too happy to carry out scheduled machine servicing or unscheduled machine breakdown repairs. In the UK, our team of engineers will aim to attend UK breakdowns within 24 hours, however this can be longer during exceptionally busy periods. In addition to attending site, we also offer help and advice over the phone or via email from our designated service desk. Nine times out of ten, most problems can be fixed over the phone, which saves you, the customer, time and money. To discuss your servicing requirements, please call us on +44 (0) 1332 864664 or email us at sales@quillinternational.com
Which Quill Falcon Cyclone should I choose?
Your choice will depend on the type of jobs you want to tackle. All of our systems are capable of the same process, but we offer various sizes that are appropriate for many different jobs, from small projects to huge industrial-scale work. Our most popular machine is the Quill Falcon Cyclone 120. To discuss your project please call us on +44 (0) 1332 864664 or email us at sales@quillinternational.com
