ALKA S.r.l.
Registered office: Via Teodoro Frizzoni 19 - 24121 Bergamo - Office: Via Molino Baertsch, 4 - 24124 Bergamo
Tel. +39 035 664881, Cell. +39 335 355569 - E-mail: info@alka-srl.com , PEC postmaster@pec.alka-srl.com
Bergamo Business Register, EORI, Tax Code and VAT No. IT02515810162 - Recipient code T04ZHR3
BG050196 mechanographic number, REA: BG 300962, Share capital €10,400.00 fully paid up.
Still have questions?
1 – Can the projectile get stuck inside the tube?
The projectile could get stuck inside the tube in the following cases:
- There isn't enough air to push the projectile through the entire length of the tube.
- The projectile encounters an obstruction that it can't compress and pass through. In this case, you need to simply shoot air from the opposite end of the tube to push it out.
- The projectile encounters an excessive amount of sediment that resists, acting as a "plug." In situations where this possibility is suspected or where the extent of the contamination inside the tube is unknown, it's advisable to proceed with caution, initially shooting a soft projectile, slightly larger in diameter than the tube, to gradually remove the sediment.
2 – Is it possible to clean a blocked tube?
No, the tube must not be completely blocked. There must be at least a small amount of air passage to push the projectile along the tube.
3 – Is it possible to clean pipes with bends, fittings, or welds?
Yes, the projectile is specifically designed to survive pipes with bends, even 90° bends, coils, fittings, or welds (in the latter case, the projectile will also clean the weld residue).
4 – Is it possible to clean T- and Y-shaped branches?
Yes, but you have to choose to shoot the projectile from the right branch: you always have to force the projectile to travel only one path, closing one of the two branches to make it turn into the other and vice versa. With T-shaped branches, you always have to fire from below, while with Y-shaped branches, you always have to fire from above.
5 – Is it possible to clean branched pipes?
Yes, it is possible as long as the pipe layout is known exactly. The projectile is not intelligent and cannot choose its direction; we must direct it in the correct direction, closing off branches where we do not want it to go. The projectile must travel in a pipe that always has a single entry and exit point.
6 – Can the projectile damage the inner wall of the pipe?
Complex (C), Superhard (S), and Food&Flex (F) projectiles cannot damage the inner wall of the pipe.
ABR (A) projectiles may leave some slight surface abrasion marks on non-(or very soft)-metallic pipes.
7 – Is there a maximum length limit for the projectile to travel?
No, the projectile can potentially travel an infinite distance. It simply depends on the amount of air available to constantly propel the projectile along the entire length of the pipe, which can be several kilometers long.
8 – Can the projectile travel through valves?
- Yes, if the valve, when open, leaves the pipe completely clear, as in the case of a ball valve.
- No, if the valve, when open, does not leave the pipe completely clear, as in the case of a butterfly valve shaft.
9 – What air pressure/flow rate is required?
6-8 bar of pressure is sufficient for proper operation. The available flow rate is more important than the pressure itself; therefore, it is recommended to connect an air hose with a minimum ID of 8-10 mm to the gun. For hoses with a diameter greater than approximately 30 mm or of considerable length, a 13 mm ID hose is recommended.
10 – Can the projectile break?
The projectile can break only in rare cases, particularly when there are protrusions, sharp burrs, or defects inside the tube that could scratch it. In this case, however, the projectile provides important information about the internal condition of the tube.
11 – Can chemicals be used?
Yes, the projectile can be soaked in a chemical (detergent, disinfectant, degreaser, lubricant, etc.) to increase its cleaning power or to use it as a tool to treat the inside of the pipe. Simply soak the projectile in the product and fire it, without having to fill the entire pipe. Make sure the product is compatible with the projectile and does not weaken its structure. If the product is not compatible, the projectile could swell or weaken, even to the point of breaking.
12 – Can the system be powered only by compressed air?
No, the system can be used with compressed air or other inert gases such as Nitrogen or CO2. It must absolutely not be used with unstable, dangerous, or flammable gases such as Oxygen or Methane!
13 – Can it only be used on smooth, round pipes?
No, the projectile conforms to the internal shape of the tube and can also be used on tubes with oval or square cross-sections, with grooved interiors, etc…
14 – Can the projectile be reused multiple times?
Yes, depending on the condition of the projectile after the initial shot, it can be reused multiple times. The projectile, especially if large, can also be washed and reused. The important thing is that its structure and shape remain intact.