INVESTIGATIONS INTO DECOATING AND RECYCLING OF PIPELINE ELEMENTS USING THE ON-SITE HIGH-PRESSURE WATER-JET TECHNIQUE

The paper describes investigations into the application of the high-pr essure water jet technique for the recycling of coated pipeline elemen ts. The paper starts with the introduction and definition of the proce ss parameter 'selectivity'. After this, a review about the general pri nciples of jet cutting technology, including tools, is given. Finally, the author reports on the decoating and demolition of covered steel p ipes by plain and abrasive water jets. High-pressure water jets are ve rsatile tools for the complete and partial decoating of steel pipes. A brasive water jets can be used successfully to cut steel pipes includi ng different coating systems.