Apparatus and methods for recovering abrasive from an abrasive-laden fluid for use with abrasive jet cutting systems

Abstract

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for recovering abrasive for use with abrasive jet cutting systems. In one embodiment, an apparatus in accordance with the invention includes an abrasive-laden fluid handling device coupled to a catcher tank of an abrasive jet cutting system, a pre-classifier fluidly coupled to the abrasive-laden fluid handling device, a hydro-classifier fluidly coupled to the pre-classifier, a fine-particle separation tank fluidly coupled to a clarified-fluid flow outlet of the hydro-classifier, a wet abrasive receptacle positioned to receive a wet recovered abrasive discharged from the hydro-classifier, a de-watering device engageable with the wet recovered abrasive in wet abrasive receptacle, and a dryer unit. The abrasive-laden fluid handling device may include an abrasive-laden fluid conduit having a first end in fluid communication with the catcher tank and an abrasive-laden fluid outlet. Alternately, the abrasive-laden fluid handling device may include a fluid drive system. In another embodiment, a de-watering device includes a housing having a wet abrasive intake and a de-watered abrasive, and an eductor port situated along an abrasive travel path extending between the wet abrasive intake and the de-watered abrasive outlet, an eductor inlet coupled to the eductor port and coupleable to a source of eduction air, and a transport device. In a further embodiment, an apparatus includes an airflow control valve fluidly coupled to the eductor port and positionable in a first position to draw an entrained airflow from within the housing through the eductor port, and a second position to backflow the eduction air through the eductor port into the housing.