The new lightweight and portable system is ideal for removing coatings in tight spaces and hard-to-reach places and requires only compressed air and electricity to operate…
June 22, 2017 – Atmospheric Plasma Solutions™ (APS) has developed the world’s first plasma-based coating removal system that quickly and safely removes hard-to-remove protective coatings and sealants. Using an air plasma beam, the PlasmaBlast™ precision coating removal system can reliably remove coatings from virtually any substrate material, enabling the inspection of critical welds and joints on a wide range of commercial and government infrastructure equipment. Unlike traditional coating removal methods, PlasmaBlast doesn’t use abrasive media or chemicals, reducing the need for containment and the disposal of waste by-products. The system can significantly reduce the cost of the coating removal process, while increasing the productivity and safety for workers.
The PlasmaBlast system uses a low-pressure compressed air source and electricity to produce a special form of atmospheric pressure air plasma. The plasma beam is scanned across a coated surface to remove the coating layer-by-layer, allowing for full or selective removal, in addition to cleaning and surface preparation. The PlasmaBlast system vaporizes most paint and coatings into harmless gases and leaves behind a small amount of dust that is safely collected with a vacuum. Because the plasma is able to flow around surface features, it is well suited to treat both flat and more complex surfaces.
APS is demonstrating the PlasmaBlast system this week at the MegaRust 2017 Navy corrosion conference in Newport News, VA. The prototype system weighs less than 30 pounds, uses compressed air delivered by a portable air compressor and runs on less than 2.5 kW of power from a standard 240 Volt outlet, making it a truly portable and easily-deployed system. Because the technology doesn’t use abrasive media, water or chemicals to remove coatings, the system can be used in both confined and open spaces, adding to its versatility.
“Coating removal hasn’t changed significantly during the last 100 years,” said Glenn Astolfi, SVP of Sales and Business Development at Atmospheric Plasma Solutions. “The PlasmaBlast coating removal system represents a significant advancement in the development of safer, cost-effective and environmentally responsible coating removal technologies.”
Proven in U.S. government and commercial trials, PlasmaBlast is effective on a wide range of coatings and substrates found in the US Navy, Air Force and other DoD service branches including coatings such as MIL-PRF-24635 haze-gray silicone alkyd, MIL-PRF-24647 anti-fouling coating system and MIL-DTL-24441 epoxy-polyamide primers.
Atmospheric Plasma Solutions is a proud participant in the Department of the Navy STP Program (SBIR Transition Program). The PlasmaBlast prototype system has been demonstrated in operational environments and is ready for production with a target availability in Q1 2018. APS is seeking partners to help set final product requirements, develop use scenarios and perform operational tests and evaluations using the system under operational mission conditions. To participate in the program, contact Glenn Astolfi at gastolfi@apsplasma.com.
About Atmospheric Plasma Solutions
Atmospheric Plasma Solutions (APS) is developing the next generation of coating removal solutions for hard-to-remove coatings found in marine, aviation, defense and commercial applications. For the past 10 years, APS has perfected the delivery of plasma at atmospheric pressures using only compressed air and electricity. The atmospheric plasma coating removal (APCR) process converts most protective coatings and sealants into harmless gases that are safely vacuumed away. The company’s flagship PlasmaBlast™ precision coating removal system reduces job costs, provides a safer work environment and is more environmentally friendly than traditional grit blasting or water jetting methods. For more information, visit www.apsplasma.com.