Technology Is Key

The WaterJet Technology Association gears up for its annual jetting and blasting conference and exposition in Houston, Texas

The 2009 WaterJet Technology Association (WJTA) Conference and Expo will focus on sharing information about the technology, best practices and safety. The conference runs Aug. 18-20 at the Marriott Westchase Hotel in Houston, Texas.

WJTA leaders note that high-pressure waterjetting and waterblasting and industrial vacuum equipment play an integral role in industrial cleaning and recovery and surface preparation. The conference has helped contractors, municipalities and utilities discover the performance advantages and benefits of these technologies.

Applications include cleaning heat exchangers, reactors, piping, storage tanks and other process equipment in the hydrocarbon processing, chemical production and processing, metal processing, and power generation industries. Waterjets are also widely used in the construction, pulp and paper, mining, aerospace/aircraft, automotive, quarrying, and shipyard industries.

One-stop shopping

Many applications involve manually operated waterjets, although various levels of robotics are also being applied. Waterjets are also being used in hydroexcavation.

“The WJTA conference is like one-stop shopping,” says conference co-chair Pat DeBusk of DeBusk Industrial Services Co. “All the newest equipment is there, the latest technology is being discussed, the movers and shakers of the waterblasting industry are there, and end-users are available to get to know. The newest equipment is available to actually touch and see, and in some cases, see operate during live demos.”

“Waterjet Technology: Basics and Beyond” is one of two concurrent pre-conference workshops scheduled on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Topics include how to inspect for flash rust and other surface preparation issues; waterjet equipment, applications, and safety; and hydroexcavation.

“Recommended Practices for Industrial Vacuum Equipment,” the second pre-conference workshop, is a nuts-and-bolts course that will help attendees understand the power of vacuum, enhance production, maximize safety, and avoid the dangers of static electricity and other electrical issues.

Seeing it live

On Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 19-20, live on-site demonstrations of waterjet applications will include industrial cleaning, paint and coating removal, concrete preparation, waterjet cutting, and industrial vacuum and air mover operations.

Demonstrations will feature lances, surface preparation and cleaning machines, tube bundle cleaning machines, pumping units, waterblasters, rotary tools for pipelines, safety gear, nozzles and more.

“The Conference Boot Camp sessions (Aug. 19-20) are typically presented by end-users talking about what industry is expecting of contractors,” says DeBusk. “They are presented by people who are specialists in their fields. All are available for personal questions at some time during the show.”

Boot Camp presenters include Dennis Cobb of ConocoPhillips Contract Safety Group on the owner’s role in contractor safety, and Roger Burwell of the Plastics Division, Makrolon/BPA, Bayer Material Science LLC, on choosing a contractor. Other topics include avoiding the dangers of static electricity, DOT regulations for trucks and trailers, waterblasting safety, hose fittings/pressure testing, proper inlet pump suction conditions, hydroexcavation, and abrasive waterjet cutting.

Technology on display

The WJTA Expo (Aug. 19-20) will feature products and equipment for industrial cleaning and cutting, including waterblasting and industrial vacuum equipment, nozzles, pumps, valves, hoses, fittings, lances, orifice inserts, shaping and cutting systems, CNC robotics, abrasives, and abrasive waterjet accessories. A special exhibit preview and reception will be held Tuesday evening, Aug. 18, in Exhibit Hall A. A second reception will be held on Wednesday evening, Aug. 19, in Exhibit Hall B.

“This technology and equipment play a major role in a variety of industries,” says DeBusk. “I don’t know of any other one place where all of this is available for the benefit of contractors and end-users.” For a complete program schedule and more information, visit www.wjta.org or contact WJTA at wjta@wjta.org, or 314/241-1445.



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