Compressed Air and Abrasive Consumption
Nozzle Orifice |
Pressure at the Nozzle (psi) | Air (In cfm) Abrasive & HP requirements |
|||||||
50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 125 | 140 | ||
No. 2 (1/8") |
11 .67 67 2.5 |
13 .77 77 3 |
15 .88 88 3.5 |
17 1.01 101 4 |
18.5 1.12 112 4.5 |
20 1.23 123 5 |
25 1.52 152 5.5 |
28 1.70 170 6.2 |
Air (cfm) Abrasive (cu.ft./hr & Lbs/hr) Compressor hp |
No. 3 (3/16") |
26 1.5 150 6 |
30 1.71 171 7 |
33 1.96 196 8 |
38 2.16 216 9 |
41 2.38 238 10 |
45 2.64 264 10 |
55 3.19 319 12 |
62 3.57 357 13 |
Air (cfm) Abrasive (cu.ft./hr & Lbs/hr) Compressor hp |
No. 4 (1/4") |
47 2.68 268 11 |
54 3.12 312 12 |
61 3.54 354 14 |
68 4.08 408 16 |
74 4.48 448 17 |
81 4.94 494 18 |
98 6.08 608 22 |
110 6.81 681 25 |
Air (cfm) Abrasive (cu.ft./hr & Lbs/hr) Compressor hp |
No. 5 (5/16") |
77 4.68 468 18 |
89 5.34 534 20 |
101 6.04 604 23 |
113 6.72 672 26 |
126 7.40 740 28 |
137 8.12 812 31 |
168 9.82 982 37 |
188 11.0 1100 41 |
Air (cfm) Abrasive (cu.ft./hr & Lbs/hr) Compressor hp |
No. 6 (3/8") |
108 6.68 668 24 |
126 7.64 764 28 |
143 8.64 864 32 |
161 9.60 960 36 |
173 10.52 1052 39 |
196 11.52 1152 44 |
237 13.93 1393 52 |
265 15.6 1560 58 |
Air (cfm) Abrasive (cu.ft./hr & Lbs/hr) Compressor hp |
No. 7 (7/16") |
147 8.96 896 33 |
170 10.32 1032 38 |
194 11.76 1176 44 |
217 13.12 1312 49 |
240 14.48 1448 54 |
254 15.84 1584 57 |
314 19.31 1931 69 |
352 21.63 2163 77 |
Air (cfm) Abrasive (cu.ft./hr & Lbs/hr) Compressor hp |
No. 8 (1/2") |
195 11.60 1160 44 |
224 13.36 1336 50 |
252 15.12 1512 56 |
280 16.80 1680 63 |
309 18.56 1856 69 |
338 20.24 2024 75 |
409 24.59 2459 90 |
458 27.54 2754 101 |
Air (cfm) Abrasive (cu.ft./hr & Lbs/hr) Compressor hp |
*Consumption rates are based on abrasives that weigh 100 pounds per cubic foot.
- For nozzle sizes 3/8” to ½”, blast machines should be equipped with 1-1/4” or larger piping and inlet valve to prevent pressure loss.
- Air requirements were measured by a flow meter under actual blasting conditions, and are therefore lower than figures for air alone, with no abrasive.
- Horsepower requirements are based on 4.5 cfm per horsepower.
- Figures are for reference only, and may vary for different working conditions. Several variables, including metering valve adjustment, can affect abrasive flow.