An Increase in the Energy Efficiency of Abrasive Jet Equipment Based on the Rational Choice of Nozzle Geometry

Abstract

Permanently increasing requirements for the accuracy of abrasive jet machining (AJM) predetermine a need to increase requirements for the rational choice of the related energy-efficient technological equipment. Due to the relatively cheap and high-quality cleaning of materials from contaminants using AJM, the problem of increasing the energy efficiency of the corresponding equipment based on the rational choice of nozzle geometry becomes more topical. This is also because the working nozzle is a consumable part that requires periodic replacements. Therefore, this article deals with rational designing working nozzles as a reliable way to decrease the power consumption of the compressor equipment while engaging in AJM. For this purpose, experimental and numerical studies of the operating processes in the nozzle were carried out. The main idea of increasing the nozzle’s efficiency was to reduce the contact area between the working flow and the nozzle. Due to this, the friction of the abrasive material with its walls was decreased. As a result, the AJM was accelerated, and the energy consumption of the corresponding compressor equipment was reduced. The research showed that a decrease in the nozzle’s length up to 4 mm increased the flow ratio by 84% and decreased the energy consumption of the 40 kW compressor unit by 4.5 times.