CE Certified NitroJet N4 System NitroJet The NitroJet system creates and applies an ultra high-pressure (UHP) stream of liquid nitrogen for material coatings removal, cutting and cleaning without adding moisture or secondary waste. The UHP liquid nitrogen stream has a density comparable to water and can be used alone or with small amounts of added abrasives. Either water soluble or insoluble abrasives can be entrained in the liquid nitrogen stream for cutting steels and for highly aggressive coating removal, profiling metal surfaces and cleaning. Even without adding abrasives, the UHP liquid nitrogen stream can be applied to remove coatings aggressively, or selectively as required, without adding secondary waste or moisture to the process. By providing a completely dry process with no added secondary waste, the NitroJet system reduces or eliminates the waste streams typical of traditional cleaning, coating removal and cutting methods, thereby, reducing the associated cleanup costs and environmental concerns. By using liquid nitrogen, the NitroJet system eliminates chemical compatibility issues because nitrogen is chemically inert at cryogenic temperatures and dissipates as an environmentally benign gas. Additionally, applying liquid nitrogen using the NitroJet doesn t create local heat concentrations and can be applied in a manner that will not damage metal substrate materials. The NitroJet end effectors can be deployed manually or robotically and can be equipped with a vacuum system that allows for the capture of material being removed. NitroJet Features Deployment NitroJet s end effectors can be used either manually or robotically Able to be operated remotely in high radiological or hazardous environments Vacuum capture systems are available Captures displaced material particulates Can be made criticality safe for nuclear decommissioning Provides for proper disposal of displaced radiological or hazardous materials Can be configured to work either in existing facilities or for mobile deployment Equipment Approvals UL 508A (certification in USA) CE (certification in Europe) Adaptable to local power supplies Inherently safe system passively depressurizes upon shutdown or loss of power Liquid Nitrogen No secondary waste is generated Completely dry Chemically inert Environmentally benign When the liquid nitrogen leaves the nozzle, it has a consistency similar to water As the liquid nitrogen rapidly changes state from a liquid to a gas, it expands more than 400 times its volume Minimizes surface heat concentrations Allows for real time visual inspection at the point of contact Uses Adaptable to requirements ranging from delicate to aggressive coating removal, cutting or cleaning Cleans contaminated surfaces, process equipment, waste packaging material Cutting of both structural material and internal components Concrete surface stripping
No added secondary waste. Safe. Effective. Nuclear Decontamination Nitrocision s precise jet technology provides a safe and superior method for decontaminating nuclear facilities. By using liquid nitrogen, Nitrocision s process adds no secondary waste, is dry and nonreactive. Nitrocision performs in the most severe environments. Nitrocision has designed and deployed remote incell operating techniques using robotics with video controls and MSM. Nuclear cooling tower NitroJet being tested for deployment at Hanford using a robot system with HEPA filtration system at Nitrocision. HEPA filtration system mounted on the frame (see photo). Video monitors showing activities of the NitroJet (see photo above left). Video cameras mounted to robot and frame. Scabblized concrete demonstration using the NitroJet.
End Effector Tooling Nitrocision, LLC has developed end effector tooling to apply the liquid nitrogen stream in the most effective method possible. The tooling can be operated either manually or robotically, and includes the following: Straight Single-Jet Lance Rotating Multi-Jet Head Single-Jet Entrainment Head Vacuum Capture Shroud Straight Single-Jet Lance This tools provides cleaning and removing materials and penetrating openings in porous materials. Rotating Multi-Jet Head The rotating multi-jet head cleans and removes coatings from large surface areas and tubes. Additionally, it scabbles concrete. Single-Jet Entrainment Head This head cuts metals and composite materials, profiles metals for resurfacing while removing existing coatings. Vacuum Shroud The vacuum shroud captures and removes displaced material from the point of contact. It is attached to the end effector and can be connected to different vacuum systems including HEPA.
NitroJet Safety The NitroJet system is designed to professional industrial standards and allows for reliable, mobile and safe operation. The design is based on commercially proven and reliable high pressure systems and components from the water jet and cryogenic industries. The NitroJet and its components high pressure piping, fittings, valves and pumps are manufactured and tested to required industry standards. Additionally, the design incorporates a CE Certified NitroJet N4 System minimal high pressure liquid storage volume and a passive depressurizing system that relieves pressure during any abnormal event. Traditional cleaning and cutting tools that pressurize and project fluids at high velocities can create potential hazards several feet from the nozzle. However, after liquid nitrogen exits from the NitroJet s nozzle, it rapidly depressurizes and reverts to a gas within a few inches. This results in nothing more than a strong cool breeze beyond 12 inches from the nozzle. End Effector delivering LN 2 to remove a coating. Compare the active zone of the LN 2 to the nozzle carrier s length. The NitroJet uses liquid nitrogen that requires standard industrial cryogen safe handling precautions including use of standard personal protective equipment. When operating inside a confined space, breathing air and an oxygen alarm device may be needed. Nitrocision has performed numerous safety analyses that show the NitroJet system meets industrial standards for customer applications. Technician in PPE equipment removing hazardous scale from a heat exchanger.
NitroJet Specifications The NitroJet system is designed to professional industrial standards and allows for reliable, mobile and safe operation. The system has been designed to work in either an existing facility or for mobile deployment. Nitrocision has successfully provided clients with consulting engineering and fabrication for deploying the NitroJet both in a fixed as well as mobile operation. CE Certified NitroJet N4 System NitroJet Specifications United States Standard Units Dimensions 4 X 9 6 X 5 5 Weight 7,500 pounds Pressure Range 6,000 to 55,000 psig Temperature Range 300ºF to -240ºF Power 480V, 3 Phase, 250A, 60 Hz Output Flow Rate ~2 gallons per minute nominal Output Flow Velocity ~3,000 feet per second Nitrogen Consumption Rate ~5 gallons per minute nominal Incoming Nitrogen Phase Liquid Incoming Nitrogen Pressure 35 psi to 90 psi Range at the NitroJet International Metric Units Dimensions 1.3m X 2.9m X 1.7m Weight 3,402 kg Pressure Range 414 to 3,792 bar Temperature Range 149ºC to -151ºC Power 400V, 3 Phase, 300A, 50Hz Output Flow Rate 7.6 liters per minute nominal Output Flow Velocity ~914 meters per second Nitrogen Consumption Rate 18.9 liters per minute nominal Incoming Nitrogen Phase Liquid Incoming Nitrogen Pressure Range 2.4 bar to 6.2 bar at the NitroJet
Nitrocision, LLC was formed in 2001 as a private sector, stockholder held company. At that time the Idaho National Laboratory, through the Technology Transfer Program, awarded Nitrocision the exclusive world-wide rights to commercialize their ultra highpressure (UHP) liquid nitrogen coating removal, cutting and cleaning technology. History Since its inception, Nitrocision LLC has researched, designed and manufactured the technology for commercial deployment under CE Certified NitroJet N4 System the product name NitroJet 6000 and now NitroJet N4. This includes the development of several end effectors that provide different liquid nitrogen delivery methods. Based on the technological inventions developed to advance this technology, Nitrocision has filed for US and international patents. Nitrocision, as a small business located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, has deployed ten NitroJet systems throughout the world in the nuclear, aerospace, aviation, grinding and industrial cleaning industries and at US Department of Energy sites. Nitrocision Milestones Date System Concept 1992 Initial System Development Begins 1998 Nitrocision Receives INL License 2001 System Advancements 2001 Tooling Development 2002 Applications Testing 2003 Additional Patent Filings 2004 Service Work 2006 Production Environment 2006