Blast nozzle containing water atomizer

A blast nozzle and water atomizer combination for directing a blast stream of abrasive particles against a targeted surface for the removal of surface contaminants therefrom comprising:

• a blast nozzle including a first longitudinal bore shaped to accelerate a stream of abrasive particles from an inlet of said blast nozzle to an outlet thereof, and
• a water atomizer means attached to the exterior of said blast nozzle, said water atomizer means including a water inlet and means to direct water from said water inlet past said blast nozzle outlet for contact with said blast stream exiting said outlet, said water atomizer means further including a second longitudinal bore aligned with said blast nozzle outlet and comprising a second outlet and a mixing chamber disposed intermediate said blast nozzle outlet and said second outlet,
• said means to direct water from said water inlet for contact with said blast stream including water nozzle means to direct water from said water inlet into contact with a deflecting surface in said mixing chamber so as to produce water droplets which are deflected backwards into said blast stream, and further including at least one air passage communicating with said mixing chamber whereby air drawn in through said at least one air passage contacts said deflected water droplets to atomize said water droplets so as to form a shroud of atomized water around said blast stream directed from said second outlet to said targeted surface, said water atomizer means further comprising a manifold body containing said water inlet, and an outlet assembly containing said second longitudinal bore therethough, said water nozzle and said air passage, said outlet assembly being threaded onto said manifold body and said manifold body being threaded onto the exterior of said blast nozzle.