How Red-D-Arc helped a power plant with dry ice blasting

Red-D-Arc found the perfect solution for a plant stack.

For many years, Red-D-Arc Welderentals has built an impressive track record of assisting clients in many countries with solutions to unique issues. The Red-D-Arc team works closely with customers to find the right product or service for the specific application. One interesting example happened a couple of years ago, when the company suggested dry ice blasting to help a power plant with a corrosion problem on a 60-foot stack.

A failing paint system

The stack at this plant had a failing paint system that the company needed to prepare for repainting to stop further corrosion. The plant needed a way to prep the stack’s surface without using scaffolding or creating any residual waste, which would potentially interfere with sensitive components.

For the right solution, the company’s project manager turned to Red-D-Arc.

After examining the application, Red-D-Arc’s blasting specialists recommended dry ice blasting – an environmentally sustainable method of cleaning and surface preparation that uses dry ice pellets. Unlike standard surface-preparation techniques like grit, HP water, or chemicals, using dry ice pellets does not require any cleanup. It is also very quick, inexpensive, and effective.

Upon learning about Red-D-Arc’s inventory of equipment for rent, sale, or lease, the power plant rented a Cold Jet A80 HP package with a nozzle extension, extra hoses, an air compressor, and dry ice. The customer also kept replacement equipment onsite to save time if maintenance became necessary.

The plant staff underwent a one-day training program conducted by two members of the Red-D-Arc Blasterentals team. Afterwards, the customer performed intermittent dry ice blasting for about a month. The results were so good that the project manager decided to scrap the original plan of cleaning the surface and remove the failing paint completely instead. In the end, this method saved the company approximately $40,000, in comparison to other methods that it had taken into consideration.

With Red-D-Arc’s close assistance, this method of ice blasting can save money, reduce waste, and boost efficiency for many companies. These are the considerable advantages of putting one’s trust in Red-D-Arc’s team of dry ice blasting specialists.

To learn more, contact Red-D-Arc Welderentals.

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