Abstract: Systems and methods are provided whereby pumpable viscous fibrous material may be applied onto surfaces of high temperature process vessels while hot (i.e., while at or near such vessels' high operational temperatures of several hundreds up to several thousands of degrees Fahrenheit). More specifically, there are preferably provided a lance having a nozzle structure at a distal end thereof, and a pump system for pumping a pumpable fibrous refractory material to the nozzle. The lance has a length sufficient to allow it to be inserted into the high temperature process vessel so that the nozzle structure is adjacent an area in need of repair while an operator holds a proximal end thereof outside the vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods allow difficulty accessible sites of a structure to be sand-blasted. Preferred sand-blasting systems are provided which include a sand-blasting fixture to support the a sand-blasting nozzle and a distal portion of the supply hose in such a manner that the spray of grit particulates may be directed against the difficultly accessible site of the structure. The fixture most preferably includes rigid proximal and distal support tubes joined to one another so as to establish an angle therebetween (most preferably about 90°), and a rigid back-lash support member extending outwardly from the distal support tube. In such a manner, the distal portion of the supply hose is movably supported within the proximal and distal support tubes such that the nozzle positioned adjacent to the back-lash support member may be adjustable by means of the distal portion of the supply hose being further advanced into or retracted from within the proximal and distal support tubes.