Development of Operational Protocols and Guidelines for Ultra High Pressure Waterjetting and Coating Application Inside Marine Vessel Tanks

Surface preparation, whether using conventional abrasive blasting (AB), ultra high pressure waterjetting (UHP-WJ) or any other technique, and the subsequent application of coatings inside closed spaces in marine vessels such as ballast tanks and bilges, present unique challenges.  There are also some logistical, cost, and safety concerns in performing such work.  The present paper discusses the findings of a project that was undertaken to identify the operational protocols and technical issues that may be encountered in surface preparation and coating application inside shipboard tanks.  The work was performed in a laboratory setting by utilizing a large (2000-gallon capacity), specially designed and fabricated mock-up steel ballast tank .  Guidelines for UHP-WJ and coating application that were developed as a result of the work are presented in the paper.

Key words:  Surface preparations, ultra high pressure waterjetting (UHP-WJ); marine vessel tanks, coating application.