how can affect water quality in an abrasive waterjet machine to different components life? i would like to know especially the effect of chlore concentration in water, the water alkalinity and the pH. Thank you
Jake said
Feb 23, 2010
For Flow Ultra High Pressure Pumps the recommended maximum chlorine level should be below 5 ppm (parts per million). Chlorine as you may know is a very corrosive element that can have adverse effects on your high pressure seals and internal metal components of the pump in concentrations over 5 ppm. Additionally, since the chlorine in your water will tend to convert into a gaseous form as it is released through the cutting head it could cause severe irritations or injury to anyone in close proximity to the catcher tank where the heavier than air chlorine gas may accumulate. if your concentration level is below the minimum you should not experience any adverse effects.
Concerning the PH an Alkalinity question, the PH range for input water on Flow Ultra High Pressure pumps is 6.5 - 9.5 and the Alkalinity range is 50 -250 ppm. Generally municipal water is in a range between 7-8 PH and an Alkalinity range around 50-100 ppm.
Higher PH levels can cause severe corrosive problems with the metal parts of your pump and premature failure of major components such Hp cylinders, check valves, tubing and such.
Lower PH levels mean that the Alkalinity level will be higher and this high Alkalinity will increase suseptibility to scaling of minerals inside the pump and tubing. Scaling will break off and go through the tubing at mach speeds distroying tubing, orifice assemblies, on/off assemblies and mixing tubes all of with are critical to a good cut and expensive to replace.
There is a good overview of the water quality recommendations posted on the Flowparts.com website for registered users. Look in the Knowledge Base Portal under any listed pump and work through the sub categories to get to "Water Quality Best Practices". Happy cutting!