- Reclamation
- R&D
- Research Projects
- Atmospheric Plasma Coating Removal
Atmospheric Plasma Coating Removal
Project ID: 21062
Principal Investigator: Kevin Kelly
Research Topic: Condition Assessment
Funded Fiscal Years:
2021,
2022 and
2023
Keywords: None
Research Question
This project will evaluate a technology called Atmospheric Plasma Coating Removal (APCR), which can successfully remove old or impaired coatings. This process of removing coatings has been demonstrated to be cleaner, environmentally safe, and cost effective. The proposed research will investigate the applicability of the APCR process to the maintenance of Reclamation aging water delivery infrastructure, its scale up potential, hazardous waste mitigation, and economics of this process versus conventional coating removal processes. The outcome will be improved processes for the removal of existing coatings and surface preparation of steel structures in Reclamation facilities.
Need and Benefit
The paints, epoxies, sealants, coal tar, and other coatings have been used for many years to protect Reclamation assets from environmental exposure. However, the process for removing degrading coatings have largely remain unchanged for the past 100 years. Removing and containing hazardous materials in coatings is still complicated, time consuming, costly, and can be dangerous.
Contributing Partners
Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.
Research Products
Please contact research@usbr.gov about research products related to this project.
