Possibilities of Rock Processing with a High-Pressure Abrasive Waterjet with an Aspect Terms to Minimizing Energy Consumption

The paper concerns the application a high-pressure abrasive waterjet (AWJ) for cutting the most commonly used rock materials such as granite, limestone, basalt and marble. Based on the analysis of the literature, the influence of parameters on the specific energy E_v, specific energy of cutting E_r and specific energy of intersection E_a was determined. Experimental studies were carried out on a laboratory test stand in accordance with a five-level rotating experiment plan. The results of the research were subjected to statistical processing, obtaining regression equations. The influence of the pressure and diameter of the abrasive waterjet on the energy consumption of rock cutting was tested. The effect of the stream power, feed speed and pressure on the cutting depth with the AWJ was also determined. The data obtained made it possible to evaluate the machinability of the rocks as a function of the power of the jet. These analyses were supplemented with charts illustrating the influence of the most important technological parameter of the cutting process, which is the feed speed. The presented results provide answers to the energy and time requirements for efficient cutting with the AWJ of frequently used rock materials.