Apparatus and methods for recovering abrasive from an abrasive-laden fluid

A method of recovering abrasive from an abrasive-laden fluid contained within a catcher tank of an abrasive jet cutting system, comprising:

• removing abrasive-laden fluid from the catcher tank;
• separating the abrasive-laden fluid into a wet recovered abrasive and a fine particle flow;
• de-watering the wet recovered abrasive to form a de-watered abrasive;
• drying the de-watered abrasive to form a dry recovered abrasive;
• and
• generating a flow of fluid through a conduit positioned in the catcher tank via a fluid eductor to entrain abrasive-laden fluid from the catcher tank into the flow of fluid through the conduit.

A method of recovering abrasive from an abrasive-laden fluid contained within a catcher tank of an abrasive jet cutting system, comprising:

• removing abrasive-laden fluid from the catcher tank;
• separating the abrasive-laden fluid into a wet recovered abrasive and a fine particle flow;
• de-watering the wet recovered abrasive to form a de-watered abrasive;
• drying the de-watered abrasive to form a dry recovered abrasive;
• filling a collection tube with wet recovered abrasive to a pre-selected level;
• stopping the flow of wet recovered abrasive to the collection tube;
• decanting fluid off of the wet recovered abrasive out of the collection tube;
• drawing air through the wet recovered abrasive to further de-water the abrasive thereby generating a slug of de-watered abrasive;
• and
• ejecting the slug from the collection tube to a dryer.