Tri-Service Dem/Val of the Pulsed Optical Energy Decoating (FLASHJET) Process for Military Applications
Abstract
A major waste stream associated with Department of Defense (DoD) industrial maintenance facilities is toxic chemical and media blast materials associated with coating removal operations. Coating removal operations accounted for approximately 20% of all waste (2.5 million pounds annually from a total of 11.3 million pounds total DoD waste). Conventional coating removal operations have additional safety and health concerns for workers. Due to these undesirable attributes, military maintenance operations are compelled to re-evaluate current coating removal methods and search for alternatives. A solution to the problems of using chemical coating removal processes and media blasting as stand alone coating removal methods has been developed. This process utilizes a pulsed optical energy system, specifically a xenon-flashlamp/carbon dioxide process known as the Flash Tech, Inc. FLASHJET(registered tradename) Coatings Removal Process. There were four objectives of this demonstration/validation. The first objective was to successfully demonstrate the FLASHJET process removing greater than 80% of the external coated surface area on various rotary wing and ground/fighting vehicle equipment. The second objective was to further qualify the FLASHJET process via the FLASHJET Qualification Testing Program in which each participating service developed their own high cycle fatigue testing acceptance criteria. The third objective was to calculate an estimated life cycle cost per square foot for the process for the tested equipment. The final objective was to gather process application information that can assist the end user following transfer of the FLASHJET process to DoD installations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA640303