Stabilization of Abrasive Concentration in Abrasive Suspension Jet Machining Considering Suspension Density Variation

Abstract

Abrasive-water suspension jets (ASJs) which jet out the suspension mixed water and abrasive in advance are excellent even at relatively low pressure. Although ASJs system by bypass system is advantageous in terms of equipment maintenance and cost as the jetting time increases the abrasive concentration in the vessel decreases, since high pressure water directly flows into the vessel and pushes out the suspension. In this study, we aim to stabilize the abrasive concentration by the bypass system which has a merit in terms of cost and simple structure and perform highly accurate cuttings. The stabilization of the abrasive concentration was adjusted by changing the opening of the valve attached in the bypass pipeline and changing the flow rate over time. The variation in the flow rate was made based on the equation derived from the equation by formulating the change in the abrasive concentration in the suspension vessel by the differential equation. To maintain a constant abrasive concentration at the nozzle outlet, the bypass flow rate must increase with time. For a constant suspension density, the concentration of abrasive at the nozzle outlet was found to decrease with time.