APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ICE BLASTING

摘要

An apparatus (10) and method for continuously delivering ice particulates (20a) onto a substrate for treating a surface of the substrate. The apparatus includes a refrigerated curved surface (15) that is brought in to contact with water to form a thin ice sheet (20) on the surface (15). A doctor-knife (22) intercepts a leading edge of the ice sheet to fragment the ice sheet to produce ice particulates which enter into a tube (30). The particulates are fluidized by air and carried to a hose (52) for delivery through a blasting nozzle (54) under pressure.