Statistical modeling of high-carbon cast-steel particle flow through a blast-cleaning metering system

The selection and adjustment of an effective abrasive mass flow rate is one of the most important requirements for efficient blast-cleaning processes. Steel grit is one of the most widely used abrasive materials in the industry, and the adjustment of effective steel grit mass flow rates can improve efficiency and decrease costs. Systematic investigations into the metering behavior of steel grit have not been performed yet. The paper deals with a systematic investigation into the flow of high-carbon cast-steel grit particles through a metering valve. The investigation involves abrasive mass flow rate measurements, and the results are statistically interpreted based on design of experiments and analysis of variance. Four process parameters are varied, namely static air pressure, nozzle diameter, valve opening, and particle size range. Abrasive mass flow rate increases if air pressure, nozzle diameter, or valve opening increases, and it decreases if particle size becomes smaller. Only valve opening and nozzle diameter provide statistically significant effects. Interaction effects are statistically insignificant for all parameter combinations. It is concluded that a three-parameter linear regression model is suitable to statistically describe the relationships in the scope of the evaluation effort.