Abrasive fluid jet with recycling system for abrasives and methods of use of same

A method of operating an abrasive fluid jet system, the method comprising:

• providing a first plurality of abrasive particles that collectively have an initial weight;
• adding the first plurality of abrasive particles into a fluid jet to form an abrasive fluid jet;
• processing a workpiece with the abrasive fluid jet;
• capturing the first plurality of abrasive particles within a container;
• removing the first plurality of abrasive particles from the container;
• combining a second plurality of abrasive particles with the first plurality of abrasive particles to form a combination of first and second pluralities of abrasive particles, wherein the combination of first and second pluralities of abrasive particles has a weight substantially equal to the initial weight;
• adjusting one or more operating parameters of the abrasive fluid jet system to compensate for a change in cutting power of the combination of first and second pluralities of abrasive particles compared to the first plurality of abrasive particles prior to their addition to the fluid jet;
• and
• adding the combination of first and second pluralities of abrasive particles into the fluid jet to form the abrasive fluid jet.