MontiPower, a company specialized in surface preparation technologies, is marking a before and after in the industry with the Bristle Blaster®. This mechanical solution was presented in detail by Dirk Pohlmann, Senior Consultant for Latin America, during his participation in LatinCORR + Pan American Corrosion Conference in Panama, where he explained its capabilities, advantages and future projections.
What is the Bristle Blaster, and how does it work?
Unlike traditional ST3 tools (surface preparation level as defined in ISO 8501-1 standards) that use methods such as sandblasting, Bristle Blaster is a mechanical cleaning technology that uses specially compounded steel bristles that generate an impact and drag action to remove oxides, paint and mill scale without damaging the substrate.
The equipment complies with cleaning standards such as SSPC-SP 11 (non-abrasive surface preparation), achieving a complete removal of laminate scale, which many other tools fail to do. In addition, it achieves results similar to SA 2.5 and even SA 3 standards, commonly used in shot blasting processes.
Advantages for classified areas and security
One of the most relevant differentials is that the Bristle can be used in ATEX 1 and 2 classified zones, areas where flammable mixtures may be present, which could ignite and cause explosions if a spark occurs, thanks to its generation of cold sparks. While conventional tools reach temperatures between 550 and 650 degrees Celsius, those of the Bristle range between 86 and 135°C, which considerably reduces the risk of ignition in flammable environments.
This makes it an especially valuable tool for the petrochemical industry, refineries, fuel tanks, offshore platformsoffshore platforms and any application where safety is a priority.
Applications in Latin America
MontiPower has focused its Latin American strategy on sectors such as oil and gas, shipyards, chemical industry, wind energy and steel construction, where the surface preparation is crucial to ensure the adhesion of protective coatings and avoid premature corrosion failures.
Pohlmann explained that the equipment’s ease of use, mobility and low impact on the environment make it ideal for field work, maintenance of metal structures and rehabilitation of critical assets. He also noted that the system has demonstrated excellent results in marine and port infrastructure applications.
Sustainability: more than a commitment
One of the cornerstones of MontiPower’s philosophy is its focus on environmental responsibility, which is why the Bristle Blaster uses recyclable components such as the plastic ring that holds the bristles can be easily separated from the rest of the head, allowing for responsible disposal.
In addition, the dust generated by the equipment is minimal, removing only 0.05% of the substrate, while other abrasive systems erode the base steel. It even allows the integration of a vacuum cleaner to completely capture the particles, which complies with sanitary requirements in regulated environments.
Automation and the future of the Bristle Blaster
The company is developing robotic versions of the Bristle Blaster, designed for applications on vertical or difficult access surfaces, such as storage tanks. The technology will incorporate magnetic wheels that will allow the device to climb metal walls while cleaning.
Dirk Pohlmann says that, although the system is not yet 100% complete, development is well underway and the expectation is that it will be launched between this year and next, opening up new possibilities for the automation of surface preparation in areas at risk or with limited access.
Technology at the service of responsible industry
The Bristle Blaster solution from MontiPower’s Bristle Blaster solution represents a firm step towards safer, more precise and environmentally responsible industrial cleaning. With direct applications in highly demanding sectors and a philosophy focused on sustainability and innovation, this technology is gaining ground in Latin America and the world.
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Source: Inspenet.