MXPA00000434A

MXPA00000434A - Method and apparatus for producing a high-velocity particle stream

Info

Publication number: MXPA00000434A
Application number: MXPA/A/2000/000434A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Y H Michael Pao; Peter L Madonna; Ross T Coogan
Original assignee: Ross T Coogan; Peter L Madonna; Y H Michael Pao; Surface Protection Inc
Priority date: 1997-07-11
Filing date: 2000-01-11
Publication date: 2001-12-04

Abstract

A method and apparatus for producing a high-velocity particle stream at low cost through multi-staged acceleration using different media in each stage, the particles are accelerated to a subsonic velocity (with respect to the velocity of sound in air) using one or more jets of gas at low cost, then further accelerated to a higher velocity using jets of water. Additionally, to enhance particle acceleration, a vortex motion is created, and the particles introduced into the fluid having vortex motion, thereby enhancing the delivery of particles to the target.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A HIGH-SPEED PARTICULATE CURRENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to processing and to an apparatus for producing a stream of high velocity particles suitable for use in a variety of environments including, but not limited to, painting, cutting and surface preparation. .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The supply of high velocity particle streams for the preparation of surfaces, such as the removal of coatings, rust and incrustations of ship hulls, storage tanks, pipes, etc., normally it has been achieved by entraining particles in a gaseous stream (such as air) of high velocity and projecting them through an acceleration nozzle onto the target to be abraded by abrasion. Normally, these systems are driven by compressed air and include: an air compressor, a tank to store the abrasive particles, a dosing device to control the mass flow of the particles, a hose to transport the air-particle stream and a nozzle of supply of the convergent-straight stream or convergent-divergent current. The supply of high velocity particle streams for cutting materials, such as "cold cutting" (as opposed to methods that rely on heat, such as torch cutting, plasma cutting and laser cutting, which are "hot-cutting") of alloys, ceramics, glass and laminates, etc., has usually been achieved by entraining particles in a high-speed liquid stream (such as water) and projecting them through a nozzle Focus on the target that is going to be cut. Normally, these systems are driven by high pressure water and include: a high-pressure water pump, a reservoir for storing the abrasive particles, a dosing device to control the flow of the mass of particles, a hose to transport the particles, a hose to transport the water at high pressure and a converging nozzle inside which a high velocity fluid jet is formed to drag and accelerate the stream of particles on the target to be cut. Whether the particle stream is supplied in order to prepare the surface or cut it, the mechanism of action, known to those skilled in the art as "micromachining", is essentially the same. Other effects occur, but they are strictly secondary effects. The mechanical principle of micromachining is simple. An abrasive particle, which has a linear amount of motion, that is, a momentum (I), which is the product of its mass (m) by its speed (v), hits a white surface. With the impact, the resulting momentum change against time (m x dv / dt) supplies a force (F). This force applied to a small impact footprint of a sharp particle gives rise to localized pressures, tensions and shear, which far exceed the critical properties of the material, hence resulting in failure and localized removal of material, ie the Micromachined effect. As evidenced by the previous analysis, because the specific weights of abrasive particles of commercial significance are within a narrow range, any significant increase in their abrasive or shear performance must come from an increase in speed. Secondly, not only speed is important but, for surface preparation applications, the particles must make contact with the surface in a uniformly diffuse pattern, that is, a very directed current would only deal with a precise area, hence, It takes many man-hours and large quantities of abrasive to treat a certain surface. Third, ideally, the particles must have an impact on the surface to be treated and not on each other. However, for cutting applications, a directed current is desired in order to erode the white material deeper and, in some applications, to cut it. The operator skilled in the art of surface preparation and abrasive cutting with a stream of particles, who wishes to perfect an apparatus or a method for preparing or cutting surfaces, faces several challenges. In the first place, the amount of abrasive particles required per removed coating area can be very high, which in turn means not only higher costs of use but higher costs of purification and disposal. Secondly, the use of abrasive particles in the conventional dry jet treatment process, described herein, generates large amounts of dust, both of the same particles and of the pulverized white material on which the particles impinge. This dust is completely undesirable, because it is a risk to health as well as to the environment. There is also a safety issue that limits operations to nearby machinery and equipment. For & To improve the above, some systems add water at low pressure to wet the particles immediately before the expulsion of the nozzle unit from the apparatus. However, water has the undesirable collateral effect of reducing the speed of the abrasive particles, which, in turn, reduces the effectiveness of the particles in terms of the intended purpose (ie, removal of the coating or cutting). of materials) . The addition of water has the additional undesirable collateral effect of causing the abrasive particles to agglomerate and form lumps, which also severely reduces their effectiveness. It is a shared belief in the industry that water can not be added to a dry air / particle stream without decreasing the velocity of the particles. This belief has been corroborated by a wide series of tests. However, the addition of water to the air / particle stream is essential for many applications in order to suppress the generation of dust and, in fact, may be the only remedy that complies with environmental, health and safety regulations. applicable occupational / operative Third, abrasive cutting systems with currently available particle streams (which use abrasive particles to cut low-cost materials, such as, for example, steel, concrete, wood, etc.) require a much higher energy input with respect to other present methods, such as for example: cutting with torch, with plasma, with laser or with diamond blade. Hence, the inferiority of the abrasive cut with respect to the other methods is not due to cutting efficiency, but rather to cost. The abrasive cutting driven by air or water jet requires a greater input of energy, which makes it a cost prohibitive for most other applications than the special situations that require cold cutting and / or cutting the contour of materials that are sensitive to heat. Therefore, the problem faced by the experienced operator is to design an apparatus or method that supplies a diffuse and uniformly distributed stream of abrasive particles to the surface to be cleaned (or a directed stream of abrasive particles to the surface that is to be cleaned). will cut) at the highest speed and the lowest possible energy input and without the generation of unacceptable levels of airborne dust. The most direct solution, which is to increase the speed of the particles, is problematic. This is done in a conventional way, by dragging particles in air, although air is an inefficient medium to accelerate the particles in a short distance, due to its relatively low density and practical length limitations in a pull / acceleration nozzle deployable by the operator. That is to say, the particles beyond a certain speed, do not continue to accelerate with the air, but move more slowly than the air, in a retrograde current. The velocity of the particle, when driven by a stream of air, is further reduced, often due to the water that must be introduced into the air stream / particles to "wet" the particles and reduce the dust carried by the air. This water, being entrained within the particle / air stream, results in a further reduction of the current velocity, frequently, a significant reduction. Therefore, a crucial need in the art would be met by developing a method or apparatus that would provide a diffuse and uniformly distributed stream of abrasive particles to a surface (to clean it) or a concentrated stream or directed to a surface ( to cut it) at the highest possible particle velocity, at the lowest energy input possible and that does not generate unacceptable levels of dust carried by air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a stream of particles moving at high velocity through a chamber by accelerating the particles, using one or more jets of gas, and then accelerating the particles at a higher speed using one or more jets of liquid. A second object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a stream of particles moving at high velocity through a chamber by accelerating the particles at a subsonic velocity using one or more jets of gas and, thereby accelerating the particles a higher speed using one or more jets of liquid and inducing a radial movement in the particles. A third object of the present invention is to provide a method for increasing the concentration of particles having a higher density than the surrounding fluid, in a high-speed fluid stream, by introducing the particles into a fluid stream having a radial flow and then, by contacting the particles with a high-velocity fluid stream. A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for producing a fluid jet stream of abrasive particles in a fluid matrix. In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a stream of particles moving at high speed in a chamber, comprising the steps of accelerating the particles to a subsonic velocity using one or more gas jets.; after which, accelerate the particles at a higher speed using one or more jets of liquid by contacting the stream at an oblique angle with one or more jets of water at ultra-high pressure inside the chamber. In a preferred embodiment of the before aspect > mentioned, the method comprises the additional step of inducing a radial movement in the particles by injecting downstream of one or more jets of fluid. In another preferred embodiment of the aforementioned aspect, the method comprises the additional step of inducing a radial movement in the particles by reducing the internal radius of the chamber. In still another embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the present invention, the method comprises the additional step of expanding the radial movement in the particles by reducing the internal radius of the chamber. : > * ,.

V * 10 In still another embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the present invention, the method comprises the additional step of expanding the radial flow in the current using a variable radius chamber. In another preferred embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned method comprises the additional step of increasing the concentration of particles having a higher density than the surrounding fluid, in a high-speed fluid stream also comprising the steps of introducing the particles into a fluid stream having a radial flow and of contacting the particles with a high velocity fluid stream. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a stream of particles moving at high speed in a chamber, comprising the steps of accelerating the particles to a subsonic velocity, using one or more gas jets.; after which, accelerating the particles to a higher velocity using one or more jets of liquid by contacting the stream at an oblique angle with one or more jets of water at ultra-high pressure inside the chamber; after this, induce radial movement in the particles by injecting current under one or more jets of fluid. < •*- eleven In a particularly preferred embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned method further comprises the additional step of expanding the radial flow in the stream by reducing the internal radius of the chamber. In another preferred embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned method further comprises inducing the propagation of the current by broadening downstream of the internal radius of the chamber. In still another embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the present invention, the stream of abrasive particles, referred to above, is accelerated to a rate greater than about 18,300 cm / sec. In still another embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the present invention, the stream of abrasive particles is accelerated to a rate greater than about 30,500 cm / sec. In another embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the present invention, the abrasive particle stream is accelerated to a rate greater than about 61000 cm / sec. In another embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the present invention, the stream of abrasive particles is accelerated to a rate greater than about 91500 cm / sec. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for increasing the concentration of particles having a density greater than that of the fluid surrounding them, in a high-speed fluid stream, comprising the steps of introducing the particles in a fluid stream having a radial flow; after which, contact the particles with a high speed fluid stream. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned method comprises the additional step of passing the particles through a reduced radius chamber. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the said aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned method comprises the additional step of passing the particles through the reduced radius chamber and thereafter passing the particles through a radio camera increased. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for producing a fluid jet stream of abrasive particles in a fluid matrix, comprising a mixing chamber; an air / particle inlet medium at one end of the mixing chamber to supply an air / particle stream to the interior of the mixing chamber; one or more ultra-high pressure water inlet means that engages fluidly and obliquely with the mixing chamber to accelerate the air / particle stream; and one or more air inlet means upstream of the water inlet means, in the water inlet medium or stream below it and fluidly coupled with the mixing chamber to induce or expand the radial flow in the stream . In a preferred embodiment of the aspect before - t _ =? mentioned of the present invention, the aforementioned mixing chamber comprises a converging portion and a divergent portion. In another preferred embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the present invention, the mixing chamber comprises a converging portion. In yet another embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the present invention, the mixing chamber comprises a diverging portion. In yet another embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the present invention, the mixing chamber comprises a diverging portion and a concentrating or steering tube. £ 4 The present apparatus and method provide many advantages over currently available systems. Again, the central problem faced by the experienced operator is the way to drive the particles at their highest possible practical speed using the minimum amount of energy using an apparatus of practical dimensions. First, the present invention achieves this goal of maximizing the velocity of particles with a relatively low energy input to and within a practical size mode. The abrasive particles are accelerated in the present invention to a speed higher than that achieved with conventional systems, while requiring an input of energy substantially less than that of conventional systems. A second advantage of the present invention -directed to the modalities for the preparation of surfaces or for the removal of coatings- is that it achieves a uniform dispersion of particles. This increases the amount of surface area that can be treated per pound of abrasives and results in higher productivity and lower costs per treated area and lower debugging of spent abrasives and disposal costs. (Disposal costs can be important for spent abrasives that contain hazardous waste.) 1S The present invention achieves these advantages by various embodiments that induce and deploy a vortex, which imposes a linear amount of motion or controlled radial momentum, in addition to axial forward momentum on the particles. This results in a controlled dispersion effect of the particles leaving the mixing chamber and, hence, a wider surface area is exposed to the abrasive particle stream, resulting in higher productivity and lower costs for preparation applications. of surfaces and, correspondingly, a lower consumption of abrasives per treated area. A third advantage of the present invention has to do with submerged cutting and cleaning or, in general, situations where the high velocity particle stream driven from the chamber must travel through another fluid other than a gas or air as it moves toward its intended target. It is well known to the skilled operator that the efficiency of cleaning and cutting submerged with high velocity particle stream and water jet drastically decreases with the separation distance, i.e. the distance between the outlet of the nozzle and the White. The reason is the presence of a liquid medium, such as water, which has a density of approximately 800 times that of the air in the region between the outlet of the chamber and the target. The conventional high-speed fluid jets, having to penetrate this medium to reach their intended target, become entrained in the surrounding water. Hence, at a distance as short as 1.27 cm, the jets lose much of their energy and efficiency for their intended tasks of cleaning and cutting. In accordance with the present invention, air is discharged from the chamber in a vortex form, forming a rotating gas zone, and from here, stabilized, which projects from the outlet of the chamber. Between the nozzle and the target a localized air environment is generated, in the form of a vortex-driven, stabilized and rotating air pocket. Consequently, water jets and high velocity particles can now pass through this stabilized air bag, providing unaltered cutting or cleaning performance "in air", obtained even in submerged form. A fourth advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates the generation of dust and the risks related to environmental, health, occupational and operational safety, inherent to the preparation of dry particle stream surfaces (commonly referred to as sandblasting treatment). ) in an open environment. The sandblasting treatment is n well known that generates clouds of dust that can spread several kilometers and that contain particles small enough to constitute a major risk to respiratory health and cause eye irritation, not only for the operator, but for those close to him. This powder not only contains pulverized abrasive particles, but may also contain particles of material removed from the treated surface. It may contain pigments and other compounds against surface corrosion and scale, such as heavy metal oxides (eg lead oxide), organometallic (particularly organotin) and other toxic compounds, applied to the surface perhaps several times years and now prohibited. The treatment with dry sandblasting, while it is fast and with a good cost-benefit ratio and with the exception of the present invention, without economic alternative, is to be closely monitored and regulated by the agencies by the environmental protection agencies and control of health risks. Conventional systems try to improve these problems by encapsulation, which means surrounding the blasting site with large sheets of plastic and creating a slightly negative pressure inside the containment or confinement. This is extraordinarily expensive. For example, the preparation of surfaces with typical sandblasting can cost approximately ($ .50 / ft2) $ 0.5382 m2; this cost increases up to $ 2.00 / ft2 or more with the encapsulation. The present invention controls both dust formation and dust release. Firstly, by using ultra-high-speed water jets to accelerate the abrasive particles in the second stage, all the particles are perfectly wetted and virtually no dust is generated at the outlet of the nozzle or in the path of the particles to the surface to be treated. Secondly, the discharge of the particles is accompanied by a fine mist of water droplets, which result from the fragmentation of the ultra-high velocity water jet as it interacts with the particles and the air in the mixing chamber. This mist purifies - in the origin - any fines and dust generated as a consequence of the particles that are hit and disintegrated on the target or that originate from the micro-machined / removed white material. A fifth advantage of the present invention is that the apparatus and method of the present invention generate much less backward thrust. This is the result of the much lower thrust of the flow rate or flow rate of the mass of particles per unit area cleaned (or cut) with a smaller number of particles but with much faster particles. Hence, the operation of the apparatus causes less fatigue to the operator and must result in safer working conditions. Also, it makes the method and the apparatus more susceptible to incorporating them in automated low-cost systems. The present invention will now be described in greater detail in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and drawings, together with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be more readily appreciated as it is better understood with reference to the following detailed description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a nozzle representing the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional diagram showing the internal particulars of the nozzle of Figure 1 but stylized to emphasize the geometry of the nozzle chamber and the trajectory of the abrasive particles through the nozzle chamber.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional diagram showing internal features another preferred embodiment of the present invention, also stylized to emphasize the geometry of the nozzle chamber and the path of the abrasive particles through the nozzle chamber. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a nozzle provided in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for supplying abrasive particles by means of a high-speed fluid stream for the purpose of treating a surface or cutting it. First, the abrasive particles (eg, quartz sand) are driven by entrainment in a pressurized gas (such as air) or by induction / aspiration through a hose leading to a nozzle having a hollow chamber or "mixing chamber". At this point, the speed of the abrasive particles reaches approximately 18300-19520 cm / sec, which is close to the maximum practical speed. More specifically, the air is a poor means for driving the abrasive particles, due to its low density, ie, above a certain point, further increasing the velocity of the air, it will have only a negligible effect on the velocity of the particles. However, air is a very cost-effective means of accelerating the particles to approximately this speed, but not much further. After this acceleration of the particles to a subsonic speed (with respect to the speed of sound in the air), the air / particle stream passes immediately through the mixing chamber, where it finds one or more inputs, for the introduction of ultra-high velocity fluid jets (such as water jets) in the air / particle stream. The jet or jets of water have a relative velocity of up to 122000 cm / sec with respect to the pre-accelerated particles with gas jet (which move at a speed of up to about 18300-19520 cm / sec), further accelerates the particles by means of the direct transfer of momentum and the drag at a higher speed. The ultra-high speed water inlets are positioned in such a way that the water its the air / particle stream at an oblique angle with respect to the axis formed by the air / particle stream. Whether by the convergence of the water jet with the air / particle stream or by the internal geometry of the mixing chamber or by the combination of both, within the mixing chamber a vortex or vortex movement of the stream of water is created. air / particles / water. This vortex movement causes the abrasive particles to move radially outwards, due to their greater mass (with respect to air and water), by the centrifugal force that generates an annular zone of high concentration of particles. The ultra-high speed water jets are directed to this area to achieve an efficient transfer of momentum to the particles and the drag of the same, which results in an effective acceleration and a particle speed increased to the maximum. Hence, the introduction of ultra-high velocity water jets has three main functions: (1) a second-stage acceleration of the particles; (2) the creation of a vortex within the air / particulate / water stream; and (3) the creation of a zone of high concentration of particles for the preferential and effective contact of the particle stream with the ultra-high velocity water jets, which results in a more efficient acceleration and a higher velocity of the particles. particles. Also, in several preferred embodiments, the vortex movement created in the fluid stream is increased in one of several ways. In one modality, the -_ * __ "" "- f * - ^ '" "* Tufa., Current (which now comprises air, particles and water) passes through a final portion of the nozzle, where it is subjected to air introduced tangentially. This air can be induced in the nozzle chamber, due to the negative pressure created in the chamber by the movement of the current. Alternatively, the air can be injected into the chamber at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. In other modalities, the internal diameter of the mixing chamber is reduced, to increase the radial velocity of the particles and, in this way, to increase the movement of the vortex. In a subset of these embodiments, the internal diameter of the mixing chamber is then widened further to obtain a uniform dispersion of the particles. What comes out of the nozzle is a high speed stream of uniformly distributed abrasive particles traveling at high speed, driven by this speed in two stages of acceleration, the first is driven by a gas (compressed air) and the second by a liquid (water at ultra-high pressure). This two-stage acceleration, which uses two different means (a gas and a liquid), can not only overcome the basic limitations of accelerating particles beyond approximately 18,300 cm / sec using air as the impeller, but the overall efficiency of the energy of the process is superior to the acceleration of particles of * • «*! .-. ! ____ * _____ single-stage or multi-stage, using only one medium, such as either gas or liquid only. In this way, the surface removal speed (or cutting speed) is a function of two broad sets of parameters. The first set of parameters (in addition to the same abrasive particles) is related to the initial air velocity that supplies the abrasive particles to the interior of the mixing chamber, the location and angle of the ultra-high speed jet or water jets that converge with the air / particle stream and similar parameters for the vortex-promoting air injection (if used in the particular mode). The second set of parameters is related to the geometry of the same mixing chamber. For example, a small diameter may be preferable at a location within the chamber to increase the rotational speed of the abrasive particles and, hence, to increase the interaction of the particles with the ultra-high velocity water jet or jets. The chamber can then be broadened downstream to produce the controlled dispersion of the particle stream. The particular geometry (internal radii) of the mixing chamber can be optimized experimentally for certain air / water / particle velocities / rates. By "Oblique," as used herein, we will refer to the dimension of an angle, which is greater than 0 degrees, but less than 90 degrees. By "Inclined", as used herein, we will refer to an angle dimension, which is greater than 0 degrees, but less than 90 degrees, measured on a different axis with respect to an angle that has an "oblique" dimension ", for example, if an angle formed by two objects that are along the x axis have an" oblique "dimension, then an angle formed by two objects that are along an axis not parallel to that axis can be described as "inclined" (as long as it is between 0 and 90 degrees). By "Ultra-High Pressure", as used herein, we will refer to a particular type of pump that has the ability to supply water at pressures greater than about 109548.66 g / cm2 to about 4221946.6 g / cm2. By "Ultra-High Speed" we refer to the speed of a fluid jet (such as a water jet) that has a velocity greater than 18300 cm / sec up to approximately 122000 cm / sec. By "Abrasive Particle", as it is used herein, we will generally refer to any type of particulate material used in the jet treatment industry in order to expel it from a device. Commonly used substances include quartz sand, coal slag, copper slag and garnet, "BB2049" is the industrial designation of a common type. The suffix 2049 refers to the particle size; the particles are retained by meshes 20-49, from the standard series of sieves of the United States. Another common type is the StarBlast. Figure 1 represents a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The device shown preferably is constructed of materials available in common form and known to the skilled operator. The air / particle stream travels through an inlet hose 10, towards a nozzle 20, where it meets the mixing chamber 40. The device can be functionally subdivided into two stages, a first stage 12 and a second stage 14. In summary, in the first step 12 the particles are accelerated by the pressurized gas, preferably, but not exclusively, air. In the second stage 14, the particles are further accelerated by water at ultra-high pressure. The approximate velocity of the particle stream as it exits the nozzle 20 is approximately 18,300 cm / sec. As the air / particle stream moves through • - * - 27 of the mixing chamber 40, it finds one or more injection ports 52 and 54 of ultra-high pressure water, which introduce one or more ultra-high velocity water jets into the mixing chamber at an oblique angle with respect to the central axis formed by the movement of the air / particle stream. The water jets are formed by providing a fluid at ultra-high pressure, through the inlet 50 and the annular passage 101 to an orifice 100 located in each injection port 52 and 54. The fluid jets converge with the stream of water. air / particles, thus accelerating the particles at a higher speed. A second function of the ultra-high velocity water jets, by virtue of their oblique and / or inclined position, is to alter the direction of the current, from the purely axial to a vortex or vortex movement, to increase in this way the interaction of the particles within the fluid stream. In one embodiment of the present invention, the stream, comprising air, particles and water, exits the downstream end of the nozzle 80. In other particularly preferred embodiments, the fluid stream is further manipulated to improve vortex movement before exiting. of the mouthpiece. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the air / particle / water fluid stream travels downstream inside the nozzle, where it is further mixed with air. The air can be introduced into the mixing chamber 40 by one or more means. In a preferred embodiment, the air enters the mixing chamber 40 by simple aspiration or passive induction through one or more holes 60 and 62, placed in the nozzle and allowing ambient air to enter the mixing chamber. More specifically, in this preferred embodiment, the air is induced into the mixing chamber through the holes 60 and 62, due to the negative pressure created by the movement of the fluid stream through the mixing chamber. In other embodiments, the air can be actively injected (under pressure) into the mixing chamber 40. Also, in the embodiment shown, air enters the mixing chamber 40 through the holes 60 and 62, located upstream of the ports of injection 52 and 54 of ultra-high water, which introduce ultra-high pressure water into the interior of the chamber from an inlet 50. In other embodiments, air can enter the chamber downstream of the water injection ports 52 and 54. In other modalities, air and water can enter the chamber simultaneously. Hence, the air enters the mixing chamber by means of the movement 2§ passive, through a positive pressure gradient from outside to the mixing chamber and intermixed with the fluid stream of air / particles / water, further improving the vortex motion, hence, facilitating the acceleration of the particulate. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the air is not passively induced into the mixing chamber, but is actively pumped into the mixing chamber under pressure, for example, at pressures ranging from about 703.66 gr / mc2 to 10554.866 gr / cm2 manometric. In another preferred embodiment, the vortex movement is generated (without the aid of the air influx into the mixing chamber 40) or is further improved by altering the internal geometry of the mixing chamber. In some of these embodiments, as depicted in Figure 2, the air / water / particulate stream moving through the mixing chamber 40 encounters a converging passage 42 (ie, the diameter of the mixing chamber is reduced) . The consequence of this is that the radial velocity of the particles increases due to the principle of conservation of angular momentum. The increase in radial velocity results in an increase in the concentration of particles in an area on which the ultra-high velocity water jets are directed, improving the incidence and the drag, and from here, the process of acceleration of particles inside the camera. Furthermore, downstream of this narrow portion of the chamber, the radius increases to 44, which causes the abrasive particles to disperse, that is, due to movement towards the walls of the chamber resulting from the radial momentum imposed on the particles. Hence, the mixing chamber is comprised of a converging portion 42, followed by a diverging portion 44. Again, controlled and uniform dispersion is desirable for surface preparation applications, because the surface area affected by the abrasive particles increases. . In other embodiments, the vortex movement is generated or increased by placing grooves or grooves or vanes throughout the interior wall or in a portion thereof of the mixing chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the mixing chamber is additionally provided with one or more additional inlets that are in fluid communication with a source of chemical compounds. Although different chemical compounds can be used, depending on the context in which the device is used, in a preferred embodiment, the corrosion inhibitors are introduced to the mixing chamber.

Figure 3 shows a preferred additional embodiment of the present invention. As in Figure 2, the diameter of the mixing chamber decreases (converging portion 42) to increase the radial velocity and to concentrate the particles in an area for effective interaction with the ultra-high velocity water jets, but not diverges later to produce the dispersion. Instead, the nozzle is reduced to form a concentrator tube 72. Hence, this mode is more suitable for cutting, in contrast to the mode shown in Figure 2, which is more suitable for surface removal. As further illustrated in Figure 3, a single ultra-high pressure fluid jet is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the outlet nozzle to improve cutting performance. The apparatus is also provided with multiple nozzles 20, displaced from the longitudinal axis and the high pressure fluid jet to provide a uniform supply of abrasives to the system. The optimal removal or cutting speeds can be obtained by optimizing the internal geometry of the mixing chamber, ie the internal radii, the geometries that improve the vortex, the configuration of the vortex that improves the air induction or the injection ports, as well as the placement of the convergent / divergent portions with respect to the water and air inlets. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 4, various modifications are made to reduce the weight of the device, to simplify the operation and to reduce manufacturing costs. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the second stage of acceleration of the abrasive particles is obtained by the introduction of a single jet of high pressure fluid, generated by directing the ultra-high pressure fluid through the inlet 50. and the orifice 100 placed in the injection port 52. The inlet 50 and the passageway 102 are directly aligned with the hole 100 along a path over which the ultra-high pressure fluid jet leaves the injection port 52. and enters the mixing chamber 40. The single jet of ultra-high pressure fluid enters the mixing chamber at an oblique angle, where it is entrained and accelerates to the abrasive stream. Similarly, only a single hole 60 is provided for the intake of air to allow air to be introduced tangentially into the mixing chamber 40. A device provided in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, simplifies the use of the device and Your XZ manufacturing, thus reducing the cost. To further reduce the weight of the device, the mixing chamber can be made of aluminum or silicon nitride or other similar materials. The apparatus provided in accordance with any of the preferred embodiments of the present invention may comprise a portable unit, commonly referred to as a gun. In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated schematically in Figure 4, a series of valves 90, 92 and 94 are provided in the nozzle, which allow the operator to selectively close the flow of water and / or abrasive. For example, the operator may wish to stop the flow of abrasive, so that only a stream of fluid and air comes out of the nozzle, allowing the operator to wash the waste from the object being worked. Alternatively, the operator may wish to stop both the flow of water and abrasive, so that only a stream of air leaves the nozzle, thus allowing the operator to dry the object he is working on. If the operator wishes to perform the dry jet treatment, the flow of ultra-high pressure fluid through the nozzle can be stopped. The operator can, therefore, selectively change the function of the nozzle without releasing the nozzle or having to go to a distant place, close to the source of abrasive or ultra-high pressure fluid. Although a variety of valves can be used, in the preferred embodiment, the valves 90, 92 and 94 are pilot valves that actuate the valves in the ultra-high pressure liquid source and the source of abrasives. Several comparative experiments on an industrial scale were carried out under appropriately controlled conditions to investigate both the performance and economy of the method and apparatus, subject of the present invention, in comparison with conventional devices and methods. The results of some of these experiments are revealed below. To evaluate the effectiveness of the present invention compared to conventional methods, the removal of a zinc-based or mill scale primer from a steel surface to the bare metal was chosen. Although the context of this demonstration is the preparation of surfaces, it is intended to illustrate not only the superiority of the present invention for such application, but also for other applications, such as, for example, cutting, machining, grinding, painting, shortly , in any application that depends on the supply of high speed particles to a surface. Comparing the removal rates of a surface coating, in identical parameters, can demonstrating the superior performance of the apparatus and method of the present invention, with respect to the conventional apparatus / method. These experiments were designed to: (a) confirm the performance and economy of the increase in particle velocity by means of a two-stage acceleration, and (b) confirm the performance and economy of the vortex motion imposed on the particles. The relevant parameters of the following experiments are listed below. A range of each parameter is also indicated within which the method and device can be further optimized. Refer to Figure 1 for definitions, locations, dimensions and proportions. The first parameter listed in Table 1 is the "Throat Diameter Proportion", which is the ratio of two diameters, O1 and D2. Each of these values is shown in Figure 1; O1 is measured at a further point upstream, near the air inlet / particle inlet hose 10; D2 is measured, downstream, where the throat of stage 2 gets its narrowest point. The second parameter shown is the "Ratio of Length to Diameter", which is the ratio of Dx and L2, which is also represented in Figure 1. The next parameter shown is the "Angle of Union of the Stage. and the 2nd Stage ". For the device shown in Figure 1, this angle is zero degrees, since the first stage 12 and the second stage 14 are coaxially aligned. The next parameter listed in Table 1 is the "Angle of Inclination of the Stage that discharges in the 2nd Stage." The device illustrated in Figure 1 has an angle of inclination of 0, although this can not be shown in the Figure. 1. This parameter is analogous to the previous one, with the exception that the latter describes the spatial relationship between the two stages with respect to the placement of one stage with respect to the other, in a plane perpendicular to the page on which the The "Proportion of Energy" is the ratio of horsepower in stage 2 to horsepower in stage 1, or horses of hydraulic power to horsepower of air.This parameter is informative, because to that, as evidenced in Figure 1, the particles are accelerated by these two sources: air through an inlet hose 10 in the first stage and water through the injection ports 52 and 54 in stage 2. Each come in a requires a source of energy, hence the parameter "Energy Ratio". The "Vortex Energy Ratio" is similar to the immediately preceding parameter and is the horsepower applied to generate or increase the vortex above the power horses of stage 1 (air power horses). The next *.

Parameter are the "Vorticial Air Jet Ports", which refers to the number of entries through which air vortex improver / inductor is introduced. In Figure 1 two entries 60 and 62 are shown. The "Included Angle of Vorticial Cone" refers to the angle at which the inner diameter of the second stage 14 converges. More specifically, it refers to the angle formed by the lines that trace a cross section of the inner wall of the second stage, measured from the beginning of the second stage 14 to D2. The "Inclination Angle of the Vorticial Air Inlet" refers to the placement of the air inlets 60 and 62. The angle at which the air enters the interior of the device, with respect to a plane parallel to the page on which it is placed. is the drawing is the "Inclination Angle of the Vorticial Air Inlet". The next parameter is the "Intersection of the UHP Water Jet Path", shown in Figure 1 as x. As shown in Figure 1, t is the distance from the point where the individual jets of water at ultra-high pressure (supplied from injection ports 52 and 54) converge, until the end of the second stage (co-terminus) with L2) The value of the Intersection of the Water Jets Trajectory UHP of "@ D2" means that the jets converge at point D2 (shown in Figure 1). The values of the parameters? - A ^ l are based on multiples of D2; hence, a value of + 10 x D2 means that the jets converge downstream from the point where D2 was measured, by a distance of 10 times the value of D2. The next parameter refers to the number of injection ports 52 and 54 of water at ultra-high pressure. Two of these ports are shown in Figure 1. The next parameter listed in Table 1 is the "UHP Water Jet Injection Port Diameter" which is merely the internal diameter of the injection ports 52 and 54. The next parameter is the "Included Angle of UHP Water Jet" which is the angle formed by the two jets coming out of ports 52 and 54. The final parameter of Table 1 is the "Water Jet Inclination Angle of UHP. " This parameter partially defines the position of the individual ports 52 and 54 along a plane perpendicular to the page on which Figure 1 appears.

Table 1 Values Parameter Range Parameter Experimental Preferred Modalities Throat Diameter Ratio (O1 / O2) l-3.5 2.33 Length to Diameter Ratio (LJ DJ) > 5 23 Angle of Union of the la. Stage with the 2nd. axial (0 °) -30 ° 0o and 15" Stage Angle of Inclination of the. Stage that axial (0 °) -30 ° discharge in the 2nd. Energy Proportion Stage; Stage 2 UHP-Water / Stage 0.5-5.0 1.2-1.7 «¡i Values Parameter Range Parameter Experimental Preferred Modalities 1 Air Vortex Energy Ratio Air from 0 05 to 1 0 0 17 Vortex / Stage 1 Air Vorticial Air Jet Ports (#) 1 - 20 l-, 6 Included angle of the Vorticial Cone from -30 to + 3-0 ° 16 ° Inclination Angle of the Air Inlet 0-30 ° 0 or Vorticial Intersection of the Jet Path +/- 10 x D2 @ D2 of UHP Water (I ^) Ports of Water Jet Injection of UHP 1-10 3,4,6 (#) Jet Injection Port Diameter of 8- 0 7-13 UHP Water (cm / 1000) Included Angle of the UHP Water Jet 0-30 ° 16 ° Inclination Angle of Water Jet 0-30 ° 0o, 2nd, 6th UHP EXAMPLE 1 (Zinc Primer Removal) Comparison of a Modality of the Present Invention With a Conventional Surface Preparation Apparatus / Method The conventional device comprised a 3/16"diameter (or # 3) dry abrasive jet treatment nozzle. convergent / divergent, which is common in the industry.The nozzle was driven by 100 psi of air at a flow rate of 1.46 m3 / min to impel 118040 grams / hour of abrasives with size of 16-40 meshes on the test surface The apparatus of the present invention comprised the conventional device described above, serving as its first acceleration stage, driven by the same air pressure, the same air flow rate and supplying the same mass flow of abrasives at identical sizes. of particle to the second stage of acceleration The second stage of acceleration is driven with water jet with a jet velocity of aproximadame At 67100 cm / sec, the vortex action was not externally promoted, that is, no additional fluid was injected from the side into the mixing chamber to increase vortexing in the mixing chamber. However, it should be noted that, although vortex motion was not deliberately induced, this movement may occur in some way as an inherent consequence of the internal geometry of the camera. The results are summarized below: Device Parameter Present Conventional Invention Removal Speed 16.722 mVnore 5. 574 m2 / hour Abrasive particles used per unit of 6841.76 gr / m2 21014 gr / m2 cleaned area Energy Input (Horsepower) by 745.7 atts / HP 1685.28 atts / m2 unit of cleaned area Total cost per unit of cleaned area ($ 0.18 / ft2) ( $ 0. 8 / ft2) (includes labor, fuel, abrasives $ 1446.66 / m2 and equipment loading Generation of Dust in the mouthpiece not detectable Pronounced Generation of dust in the undetectable target Pronunciation IV Device Parameter Present Conventional Invention (measured by visual inspection) EXAMPLE 2 (Zinc Primer Removal) Comparison of a Modality of the Present Invention with a Conventional Surface Preparation Apparatus / Method The conventional device comprised a 4/16"diameter (or # 4) dry abrasive jet treatment nozzle. convergent / divergent, which is common in the industry.The nozzle was driven by 100 psi of air at a flow rate of 8.36 m2 / hour to impele 227000 gr / hour of abrasives with size of 16-40 meshes on the test surface The apparatus of the present invention comprised the conventional device described above, serving as its first acceleration stage, driven by the same air pressure, the same air flow rate and supplying the same mass flow of abrasives at identical sizes. of particle to the second acceleration stage The second acceleration stage is driven by a water jet with a jet velocity of approximately 67100 cm / sec Vortex action was not externally promoted, ie, no additional fluid was injected from the side into the mixing chamber to increase the action t2 vortex in the mixing chamber. The results are summarized below: Device Parameter Present Conventional Invention Removal Speed 26 .29 m2 / hour 6 96752 / hour Abrasive particles used per unit of 0.167 gr / m2 32254 .036 gr / m2 cleaned area Energy Input (Horsepower) by 1446.66 watts / m2 2408.6 watts / foot2 unit of cleaned area Total cost per unit of cleaned area ($ 0.15 / pie21 ($ 0.42 / ft21 $ 1.61 m2 Generation of dust in the mouthpiece not detectable Pronounced Generation of dust in the undetectable target Pronounced EXAMPLE 3 (Lamination Casting Removal) Comparison of a Modality of the Present Invention With a Conventional Surface Preparation Apparatus / Method The conventional device comprised a 4/16"diameter (or # 4) dry abrasive jet treatment nozzle convergent / divergent, which is common in the industry.The nozzle was driven by 7036.58 gr / cm.2 of air at a flow rate of 2548800 cm3 / min to impeler 227000 gr / hour of abrasives with size of 16-40 mesh over The test surface The apparatus of the present invention comprised the conventional device described above, serving as its first acceleration stage, driven by the same air pressure, the same air flow velocity and supplying the same mass flow of abrasives at identical particle sizes towards the second acceleration stage. The second acceleration stage is driven by a water jet with a jet velocity of approximately 67100 cm / sec. The vortex action was not externally promoted, that is, no additional fluid was injected from the side into the mixing chamber to increase the vortex action in the mixing chamber. The results are summarized below: Device Parameter Present Conventional Invention Removal Speed 15 .33 m2 / hour 5.1095 m2 / hour Abrasive particles used per unit of 14660. 9 gr / m2 44471.474 gr / m2 cleaned area Power Input (Horsepower) by 2408.6 watts / m2 3288.54 watts / m2 unit of cleaned area Cost * per unit of cleaned area ($ 0.26 / ft2) ($ 0.58 / ft21 No detectable Nozzle Dust Generation Pronounced Generation of dust in the undetectable target pronounced EXAMPLE 4 (Removal of the Zinc Primer) Comparison of a Modality of the Present Invention with a Conventional Surface Preparation Apparatus / Method The conventional device comprised a nozzle for treatment by dry abrasive blasting of 3/16"diameter (or # 3) convergent / divergent, which is common in the industry.The nozzle was driven by 7036.582 / cm2 of air at a flow rate of 1.416 m3 / min to impel 118040 gr / hour of abrasives with size of 16-40 meshes on the surface of The apparatus of the present invention comprised the conventional device described above., serving as its first acceleration stage, driven by the same air pressure, the same air flow velocity and supplying the same mass flow of abrasives at identical particle sizes towards the second acceleration stage. The second acceleration stage is driven with a water jet with a jet velocity of approximately 67100 cm / sec. The vortex action was promoted, through the injection of additional compressed air that produces a rotation effect that counts up to 1364.63 watts / m2 per pound of air entering the first acceleration stage. The results are summarized below: Device Parameter Present Conventional Invention Removal Speed 19 51 m2 / hour s 57 2 / hour Abrasive particles used per unit of 5864 37 g / m2 21014 g / m2 Device Parameter Present Conventional Invention cleaned area Power Input (Horsepower) by 1364.63 watts / m2 1685.28 watts / m2 unit of cleaned area Cost * per unit of cleaned area ($ 0.15 / ft21 ($ 0.38 / ft21 51 61 m2) Generation of Dust in the No Detectable Nozzle Pronunciation Generation of dust in the undetectable target Pronounced EXAMPLE 5 (MIR Casting Removal) Comparison of a Modality of the Present Invention With 5 a Conventional Surface Preparation Apparatus / Method The conventional device comprised a nozzle for 4/16"diameter (or # 4) dry abrasive blasting treatment ) convergent / divergent, which is common in the industry, the nozzle was driven by 100 psi of air at a flow rate of 2548800 cm3 / min to impele 227000 gr / hour of abrasives with a size of 16-40 meshes on the test surface. The apparatus of the present invention comprised the conventional device described above, serving as its first acceleration stage, driven by the same air pressure, the same air flow velocity and supplying the same mass flow of abrasives at identical particle sizes towards the second acceleration stage. The second acceleration stage is driven by jet ~ - "water with a jet velocity of approximately 67100 cm / sec. Vortex action was promoted, by means of the injection of additional compressed air that produces a rotation effect that counts up to 196.0372 gr / cm per pound of incoming air to the first acceleration stage, the results are summarized below: Device Parameter Present Conventional Invention Removal Speed 19 m2 / hour 5.11 m2 / hour Abrasive particles used per unit of 11728.74 gr / m2 44471.474 gr / m2 cleaned area Energy Input (Horsepower) per 2,088 watts / m2 3288.5 watts / m2 unit of cleaned area Cost * per unit of cleaned area ($ 0.21 / p2 e2) ) ($ 0.58 / ft2) Generation of Dust in the Stem Not Detectable Generation of Dust in the Target Not Detectable EXAMPLE 6 (AM Scale Removal) Comparison of a Modality of the Present Invention With a Conventional Surface Preparation Apparatus / Method The conventional device comprised a nozzle for water jet treatment, which supplied 25 horsepower (HHP) driven hydraulic by a pressure of 2462802.2 gr / hour. The abrasives (with size of 04-60 mesh) in an amount of 227000 g / hour were sucked in by the vacuum produced by the water jet in the mixing chamber (instead of compressed air transported and pre-accelerated in the nozzle of the first stage, as in Examples 1-5). The apparatus of the present invention comprised the identical conventional device described above, plus the injection of air that improves the vortex by accounting for up to 7 additional HHP which brought the total power of the system up to 32 HHP. The results are summarized below: Device Parameter Present Conventional Invention Removal Speed 13 .9 m2 / hour 8.36 m2 / hour Abrasive particles used per unit of 16127.02 gr / m2 27367.06 gr / m2 cleaned area Energy Input (Horsepower) by 1849.34 watts / m2 2490.64 watts / m2 unit of cleaned area Cost * per unit of cleaned area ($ 0.27 / Pie21 ($ 0.43 / p? e2> $ 2.9 / m2 Dust Generation in the nozzle Not detectable Not detectable Generation of dust in the undetectable blank not detectable EXAMPLE 7 The Superior Effectiveness of Energy and the Cost of Acceleration in Two Stages To accelerate the particles, both water and air can be used. The force that acts on a particle that is going to move in a fluid is its drag (FD). The equation for the drag force is: FD = CD x p v2A / 2 where FD is the drag force, CD is the drag coefficient of the particle, p is the density of the fluid, v is the relative velocity of the particle with respect to the surrounding fluid and A is the cross-sectional area of the particle or, in the case of an irregularly shaped particle, its projected area. CD is a function determined experimentally of the Reynolds number (NR) of the particle. The Reynolds number is defined as: NR =? Vd // x where p is the density of the fluid; v is the relative velocity of the particle; d is the diameter of the particle; and μ is the dynamic viscosity of the fluid. For an Np of about 500 to 200,000 and for a spherical particle, which represents a typical speed range for accelerating particles with a higher velocity fluid stream, the drag coefficient CD is in approximate form in the range of 0.4 to 0.5, for air at subsonic speeds. From the previous analysis it can be concluded that water, instead of air, would be an effective means to accelerate the particles, because the drag force is proportional to the density of the fluid in motion. The ratio of the density of water to that of air is about 800. However, the use of water only as the driving fluid is prohibitively expensive. The supply of air at a pressure of 7036.58 gr / cm2 at a rate of 1 cubic foot per minute can be achieved with an industrial size compression at a capital cost of only $ 60 and the resulting machine energy counts for 0.25 HPs pure for an air flow of 0.02832m3 / min @ 7036.58 gr / cm2 of pressure. This air stream can accelerate particles up to a speed of approximately 18,300 cm / sec, but not much further, due to the effects of the retrograde current that prevail at higher speeds. To achieve the same task with water, it would require a high pressure water pump, capable of producing a pressure of approximately 379975.2 gr / cm2 at a delivery rate of 0.02832 m3 / min (7.5 GPM), to accelerate the particles to a speed of approximately 18300 cm / sec (or up to approximately 70% of the fluid velocity) with a capital cost of approximately $ 6,000, driven by an approximately 25 HP engine. The comparison of the cost of capital and the required energy demonstrates that air can accelerate the particles up to a velocity of about 18300 cm / sec at 1/100 of the capital cost and about 1/100 of the energy input from which it can be achieved with water as a driving fluid. Hence, the air is much more economical, with a more efficient use of energy and the preferred medium for the initial acceleration (first stage) of the particles, up to a speed of approximately 600 feet / sec, while a current Ultra-high speed water is the preferred means to accelerate the particles beyond 18300 cm / sec (second stage) to a speed of approximately 91500 cm / sec and beyond. A second consideration for using air in the first stage of acceleration is that the particles are easily carried and transported in a turbulent air stream, inside a hose or tube, to distances and prolonged heights. Hence, the deposit of abrasive particles can be large, which results in fewer interruptions to replenish the deposit and does not have to be near the nozzle that expels the particles on the surface to be worn or cut.

EXAMPLE 8 Reduction of Energy Input Required to Cut Materials Through Superior Particle Supply Through Vortex Induction In one embodiment of the present invention, the benefit of accelerating particles with one or more ultra-high velocity water jets is further exacerbated by inducing a vortex or vortex motion or whirlwind, in the fluid stream and when subjecting the particles to said vortex or vortex movement. Tests conducted with this configuration have produced superior results (measured by surface removal) that are evidence of superior transfer of momentum and entrainment of the particles by the ultra-high-speed impeller water jet. When the particles come into contact with a fluid that has a vortex motion, the particles are impelled radially outward by the centrifugal force. This force and the resulting particle movement are exploited in one embodiment of the present invention in the following manner. As the particles are impelled outward by the centrifugal force, they are concentrated in a region where they are preferentially contacted with ultra-high velocity water jets, deliberately directed towards said region. The result is a drastically improved particle exit velocity, which is expelled from the chamber, an acceleration process with more efficient use of energy and the ability to introduce a greater relative concentration of particles into the stream give ultra-high speed water jet. The experiments conducted in support of the present application indicate that the technology currently available is limited to the introduction of approximately 12% of particles in the impelling fluid. In contrast, the present invention, by introducing vortex or vortex motion, allows particle concentrations of up to 50% (relative to the driving water medium) to be accelerated effectively to ultra-high speeds.

Experimentally it has been determined that this advance derives from two sources. One, the number of particles put in contact with the jets of water increases by vortexing, which places a maximum number of particles in the path of the water jet. Two, the The centrifugal force exerted on the particles is very low, with respect to the vector oriented approximately perpendicular to the water jets. If, for example, the particles that came into contact with the jets of water move with a great force resulting practically perpendicular to the direction of the £ 3 jets of water, then the acceleration of the particles in the direction of the jets of water would be frustrated. The present invention overcomes that limitation - although it still achieves maximum acceleration of the particles - by concentrating the particles in the path of the water jet by centrifugal force, with a low resultant force in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the water jets. The vortex movement can be induced by a variety of means well known to the skilled operator. For example, a variable radio camera could be used, that is, a camera whose radius increases downstream. Also, slots can be machined inside the chamber or pallets added; alternatively, it can be injected, induced or sucked with fluid into the chamber at oblique angles or tangentially with respect to the longitudinal axis formed by the chamber.

EXAMPLE 9 Obtaining Superior Cutting Performance and Efficiency Through the Increase in the Speed of the Particles, the Concentration and the Direction Within the context of this invention it has been shown that a gradual increase or increase in the w particle velocity (beyond a certain threshold) drastically increases the removal of material for cutting and surface preparation applications. In fact, the removal of material increases with the square of the increase in the velocity of the particles. The velocity of the particles in this invention can be increased by approximately 40-50% above what can be achieved with current particle cutters of current technology, resulting in a double increase in cutting performance. Two other factors also materially contribute to making a cutting process more efficient by abrasive current, namely (a) the quantity or concentration of particles with maximum velocity ejected per unit of time Mt (grams / sec) and, (b) ) focusing or concentrating said stream of particles on the smallest possible area having a diameter D0 (microns). As the applicants have shown in examples 4, 5 and 6, the imposition on the particles of a vortex or swirling movement dramatically increases the acceleration process and the ability to introduce more particles per unit of water at ultra-high speed (referred to as the particle concentration) from about 12% for the technology currently available up to 50%, an increase of four times. The vortex action also helps to focus the jet of particles towards a smaller area D0, hence, the concentration of particles per area of impact on a material is increased. With respect to a particulate current device with conventional technology, upon achieving a focusing diameter Dc, the concentration of particles per area increases with the square of the ratio of diameters (Dc / D0) 2. In accordance with the method and apparatus of the present invention, the focusing diameter can be reduced by approximately 25% that of cutters by conventional abrasive particles stream, resulting in a two-fold increase in cutting performance. The composite effect of the preceding arguments is as follows: Variable Multiplier of Cutting Performance Particle Speed 2x Abrasive Concentration 4x Current Approach 2x Compound Effect: 2x 4x 2 = 16x Practically speaking, this performance multiplier has enormous consequences. More specifically, the current investment required for a conventional particle cut-off system is approximately $ 2,000 per horsepower (HP) or approximately $ 60,000 for a typical industrial system of 30 HP. A decrease by a factor of 16 lowers costs to approximately $ 4,000. This results in a competitive method and apparatus now with torch and plasma cutting for a wide variety of conventional high volume applications, such as cutting steel plates, building materials, glass, wood, etc. Therefore, the present invention is well adapted to realize the objects and achieve the aforementioned purposes and advantages, as well as others inherent in the present. While the presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been provided in order to reveal the outstanding particularities of this invention, numerous changes can be made in the details of construction, arrangements of the components, stages in operation, etc., which will be suggested by themselves easily to the experienced operator and which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims. __SH_

Claims

CLAIMS; A method for producing a stream of particles moving at high speed in a chamber, comprising the steps of: (i) accelerating a multitude of particles to a subsonic velocity using one or more jets of gas to generate a current of particles, (ii) accelerating the particles to a higher velocity using one or more jets of liquid by contacting the stream of particles at an oblique angle with one or more jets of ultra high pressure water within the chamber; and inducing a spiral movement in the particles by injecting one or more jets of fluid.
The method according to claim 1, comprising the additional step of: increasing spiral movement in the particles by reducing the internal radius of the chamber.
3. The method for producing a stream of particles moving at high speed in a chamber, comprising the steps of: (i) accelerating the multitude of particles to a subsonic velocity using one or more jets of gas to generate a current of particles; after which, (ii) accelerating the particles to a higher speed using one or more jets of liquid by contacting the particle stream with one or more jets of water at ultra high pressure inside the chamber; and (iii) inducing spiral movement in the particles by reducing the internal radius of the chamber.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the introduction of one or more jets of fluid occurs by injection of pressurized fluid.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the introduction of one or more fluid jets occurs by passive aspiration of fluid.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is air.
7. A method for producing a stream of particles moving at a high speed in a chamber, comprising the steps of: (i) accelerating the multitude of particles to a subsonic velocity using one or more jets of gas to generate a current of particles; after which, (ii) accelerating the particles to a higher velocity using one or more jets of liquid by contacting the stream of particles at an oblique angle with one or more jets of water at ultra high pressure within * fc «ß * ™»! ** HWB «S & t > ^ !? Slttß »¿SJ ^ K ^ is ?? tM ^ ^ bÍá ilUíaí of the camera; after which, (iii) induce spiral movement in the particles by manipulating the internal configuration of the chamber.
The method according to claim 7, wherein the spiral movement is induced by a multitude of slots placed in the inner wall of the chamber.
The method according to claim 7, wherein the spiral movement is induced by varying the internal geometry of the chamber.
The method according to claim 7, comprising the additional step of: increasing the spiral movement by reducing the internal radius of the chamber.
The method according to claim 7, comprising the additional step of: inducing the dispersion of the current when broadening or expanding downstream the internal radius of the chamber.
The method according to claim 7, wherein the stream of abrasive particles is accelerated to a rate of about 600 feet / sec.
13. An apparatus for producing a fluid jet stream of abrasive particles in a fluid matrix, comprising: • *? - * ~ - ^ T * '- "& ^^ __ S_. 6 < L (i) a mixing chamber; (ii) an air / particle inlet means at one end of the mixing chamber for supplying an air / particle stream to the mixing chamber at subsonic velocity; (iii) one or more high pressure fluid inlet means that fluidly engage with the mixing chamber to accelerate the air / particle stream to a higher velocity; and (iv) one or more air inlet means upstream of water inlet medium, downstream thereof or in the water inlet medium and which is fluidly coupled with the mixing chamber to induce or increase the flow radial in the stream.
14. An apparatus for producing a fluid jet stream of abrasive particles in a fluid matrix, comprising: (i) a mixing chamber; (ii) an air / particle inlet means at one end of the mixing chamber for supplying an air / particle stream to the mixing chamber at subsonic velocity; (iii) one or more high pressure liquid inlet media that engage fluidly and obliquely with the mixing chamber to accelerate the current of '6T air / particles up to a higher speed; and (iv) a means for inducing or increasing spiral flow in the air / particle stream.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the means for inducing or increasing the radial flow is a groove placed in the internal wall of the mixing chamber.
16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the mixing chamber comprises a portion 10 convergent and a divergent portion.
The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the mixing chamber comprises a diverging portion.
18. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the mixing chamber comprises a converging portion and a focusing tube.
The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein: the mixing chamber is comprised of a first stage and a second stage, each of the stages having an inner diameter and a length; the first stage and the second stage are joined to form a joint angle and an angle of inclination and wherein an energy input to the 25 first and second stages to accelerate the particles through each of the stages; an input of air energy is applied to impel the air through the air inlet means; the air inlet means consists of a plurality of air jet ports, each positionally having an internal diameter and positionally defined by an included vortex cone angle and a vortex air inlet tilt angle; and the ultra high-pressure input means comprises one or more injection ports, each having an internal diameter and being positionally defined by a path intersection.
The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the inner diameter of the first stage on the inner diameter of the second stage has a ratio of between about 1 and about 4.
21. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the length of the second stage on the inner diameter of the first stage has a ratio greater than about 5.
The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the joint angle is between 0o and about 30 °.
23. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the angle of inclination is between 0 degrees and rm approximately 30 °.
The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the energy input applied to the second stage on the energy input applied to the first stage has a ratio of between about 0.5 and about 5.0.
25. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the energy input applied to the second stage on the energy input applied to the first stage has a ratio of between about 1.2 and about 1.7.
26. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the input of air energy over the energy input to the first stage has a ratio of between about 0.05 and about 1.
27. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the medium Air intake consists of between 1 and approximately 20 air jet ports.
28. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the air inlet means consists of 4 to 6 air jet ports.
29. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the included angle of the vortex cone is between approximately 30 ° and approximately + 30 °.
30. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the vortex air inlet angle of inclination is between 0o and about 30 °.
31. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the path intersection measures between about +10 times the inside diameter of the second stage and about 10 times the diameter of the second stage.
32. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the path intersection measures approximately the value of the inside diameter of the second stage.
33. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the ultra high-pressure input means comprises between about 1 and about 10 injection ports.
34. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the ultra high-pressure input means comprises between 3 and 6 injection ports.
35. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the ultra high-pressure input means comprises a plurality of injection ports, each of the injection ports having an inner diameter of between about 0.02 cm and 0.1 cm.
36. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the ultra high-pressure input means comprises a plurality of injection ports, each of the injection ports having an inner diameter of between about 0.018cm and 0.03cm.
37. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the ultra high-pressure input means comprises a plurality of injection ports, wherein the water emitted from the jets forms an included angle of water jet and an angle of inclination of the jet. of water.
38. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the included angle of the water jet is between 0o and about 30 °.
39. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the angle of inclination of the water jet is between 0o and about 30 °.
40. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the angle of inclination of the water jet is between 0o and about 6o.
41. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein: the inner diameter of the first stage on the inner diameter of the second stage has a ratio of between about 2 and about 3; the length of the second stage on the inner diameter of the first stage has a ratio of about 15 to about 25; the angle of union is between 0o and approximately 15 °; the angle of inclination is between 0o and approximately 15 °; the energy input applied to the second stage on the energy input applied to the first stage has a ratio of between approximately 1 and approximately 2; the input of air energy over the energy input to the first stage has a ratio of between about 0.1 and about 0.2; the air intake means consists of 1 to 10 air jet ports; the included angle of the vortex cone is between approximately §15 ° and approximately + 15 °; the angle of inclination of the vortex air inlet is between approximately §15 ° and approximately + 15 °; the path intersection measures between approximately +2 times the inside diameter of the second stage and §2 times the diameter of the second stage; the ultra high-pressure input means comprises between 1 and 6 injection ports; each injection port has an internal diameter of between approximately 0.02 cm and 0.1 cm; the included angle of the water jet is between approximately §15 ° and approximately + 15 °; and the angle of inclination of the water jet is between §15 ° and approximately + 15 °.
42. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein: the inner diameter of the first stage on the inner diameter of the second stage has a ratio of approximately 2.3; the length of the second stage on the inner diameter of the first stage has a ratio of approximately 23; the angle of union is 0o; the angle of inclination is 0o; the energy input applied to the second stage on the energy input applied to the first stage has a ratio of between about 1.2 and about 1.7; the input of air energy over the energy input to the first stage has a ratio of approximately 0.17; the air intake means consists of 4 to 6 air jet ports; the included angle of the vortex cone is approximately 15 °; the angle of inclination of the vortex air inlet is approximately 15 °; the intersection of trajectory measures between approximately +1.2 times the internal diameter of the second stage; the ultra high-pressure input means comprises between 3 and 6 injection ports; each injection port has an internal diameter of between approximately 0.018 cm and 0.03 cm; the included angle of the water jet is approximately 15 °; and the angle of inclination of the water jet is between 0o and about 6o.
43. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising: a first valve coupled to the air / particle inlet means and a second valve coupled to the ultra high-pressure liquid inlet means to allow an operator to selectively start and stop the flow of particles and / or ultra high-pressure liquid upstream of the mixing chamber.
44. The apparatus for generating an ultra high pressure abrasive fluid stream, comprising: providing a pressurized stream of abrasive particles and air at the inlet of a nozzle having a proximal converging region and a distant divergent region; accelerating the pressurized stream of abrasive particles to a first velocity greater than 91500 cm / sec when passing the pressurized stream through the nozzle, the pressurized stream of abrasive particles enters the mixing chamber; introducing an ultra high-pressure liquid jet into the mixing chamber, the ultra high-pressure liquid jet makes contact and accelerates the pressurized stream of abrasive particles to a second speed that is greater than the first speed, to generate a current of abrasive - ultra high pressure fluid; and discharge the ultra high pressure abrasive-fluid stream through an outlet port.
45. The method according to claim 44, further comprising: selectively allowing and avoiding the flow of abrasive particles through the inlet of the nozzle.
46. The method according to claim 44, further comprising: selectively allowing and avoiding the flow of the ultra high-pressure liquid stream upstream of the mixing chamber.
47. An apparatus for generating a fluid jet containing abrasive particles, comprising: a source of abrasive particles pressurized by a gas and coupled to the inlet of a first nozzle to provide a pressurized stream of abrasive particles at the inlet of the first nozzle, the first nozzle has a proximal convergent region coupled to a distant divergent region; a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the outlet of the first nozzle located adjacent to the divergent region remote from the first nozzle, the pressurized stream of abrasive particles passes through the first nozzle and is accelerated by the first nozzle to a speed of more than 9150 cm / sec, discharging into the mixing chamber; a fluid inlet nozzle coupled in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and with an ultra high pressure liquid source, an ultra high pressure liquid will be discharged through the fluid inlet nozzle at a speed sufficient to draw and accelerate the pressurized stream of abrasive particles; and an outlet tube having an inlet in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and an outlet through which the ultra fluid jet is discharged? high pressure that contains abrasive particles.
48. The apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the mixing chamber is provided with a first inlet coupled to a gas source to supply the mixing chamber with a stream of gas and to improve the distribution of the abrasive particles in the fluid stream of the gas. ultra high pressure.
49. The apparatus according to claim 48, further comprising: a first valve coupled to the first nozzle for selectively starting and stopping the flow of the pressurized stream of abrasive particles towards the first nozzle; a second valve coupled to the fluid inlet nozzle to selectively start and stop the flow of ultra high pressure liquid into the mixing chamber; and a third valve coupled to the first inlet to selectively start and stop the flow of gas to the mixing chamber.
50. The apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the fluid inlet nozzle comprises an orifice aligned with a passage extending from the orifice to an opening in the apparatus along a path over which the fluid stream of Ultra high pressure enters the mixing chamber.
51. The apparatus according to claim 47, further comprising an annular feed ring in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid inlet nozzles, which are in turn in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, to the annular feed ring. supplies an ultra high-pressure liquid volume and then, through the multitude of fluid inlet nozzle, is supplied to the chamber 10 mixer.
52. The apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the mixing chamber is provided with a second orifice in fluid communication with a source of chemical compounds.
53. The apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the source of chemical compounds includes a corrosion inhibitor. B2_SÉ _! '.__. üá ___ «% 'e £ __K« __!