Patent ID: 12005480

Abstract:
A method of ultra-high pressure surface cleaning. Water is first preferably filtered and de-ionized. The de-ionized water is pressurized to about 25,000 to 60,000 psi. The ultra-high pressurized water is applied to a surface, typically using a robot. The robot includes a vacuum for collecting water and debris removed from the surface. The stream leaving the robot will be an aqueous mixture of everything removed from the surface. The mixture next passes through a vacuum filtration unit, where most solids will be removed. Next, the mixture passes through a membrane filtration unit for removal of most remaining suspended solids. If toxic heavy metals are present, the mixture will pass through a heavy metal scavenger. After the foregoing treatment steps, the mixture will have less than 29 ppm suspended solids and be substantially free of lead and other heavy metals, rendering the mixture safe for surface water discharge in most cases.