A remote abrasive water jet system for cutting in hazardous environments was developed by TWI for the Defence Research Agency, Fort Halstead.
DRA asked TWI to design and build a portable system to establish the feasibility of remotely rendering munitions safe. They initially supplied the Arc Welding Department with one empty 1000lb (450kg) bomb case.
Cutting trials were carried out using a range of commercially available water jet systems and comparisons were made between different abrasive materials, including flint and copper slag.
With a specially designed nozzle, through which the abrasive water jet was forced at a water pressure of 10,000psi (690 bar), a successful technique was found which cut through a range of explosive filled munitions without an explosive event.
The final tests were carried out on a remote range in Scotland and witnessed by members of the armed forces and the Ministry of Defence. Here, the water jet system was attached to a TWI-designed rectilinear robot and operated at a distance of 200m.
As the process can be used to cut components or structures containing explosive material, including gases, it is suitable for cutting in high risk areas, such as gas or petrochemical plant.
For more information please email contactus@twi.co.uk.