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Rotec Cleaning Trials

Masonry cleaning operations in progress

St Astier are currently trialing Remmers Rotec Whirl Jet – a cleaning technique that is designed for the gentle cleaning of sensitive structures – ideal for monument preservation and building protection. The Rotec Whirl Jet is similar in action the DOF and JOS systems (used in the cleaning of the statue of Sir Charles Mark Palmer), the Rotec Whirl Jet is a further development of the so called ‘mist jetting and softjetting technique’ with a number of added advantages.

With the Rotec Whirl Jet Technique, the blasting agent and water are set in rotation by a special swirl unit. When the rotating mixture of air, water and blasting agent hits the surface of the building material, a tangential abrasion is effected. The blasting material particles slide over the surface instead of being “shot” directly head onto the surface. This procedure allows soiling to be removed in an exceptionally gentle manner which means that the layers of soil can be gradually removed and the degree and intensity of cleaning can be exactly controlled.

It is even possible to preserve the original patina. Because of their physical characteristics such as hardness, grain form, grain size, size fraction and specific weight, glass powders are very suitable as blasting agents for this tech-nique and are decisive in achieving optimal results.

Successful trials have been completed at Olympic House in Glasgow, Gateshead Town Hall, and Sunderland Underground Metro & Train Station. Trials continue at Lingfield Point this week.

If you would be interested in setting up a trial of the system, do please get in touch with us.

Article Update: trials have yet to be arranged at Gateshead Town Hall.

Posted on 24 September 2008 by Phil Brown and filed under and .

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