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.
Do you still have doubts?
1 – Can the projectile get stuck inside the tube?
The projectile could get stuck inside the tube in the following cases:
- You do not have a sufficient amount of air to push the projectile along the entire length of the tube.
- The projectile encounters an obstruction inside which it cannot compress itself to pass through. In this case, it is necessary to shoot only air from the opposite side of the tube to make it exit from where it entered.
- The projectile encounters an excessive amount of sediment that offers too much resistance, acting as a "plug." In situations where this possibility is suspected or where the extent of the contamination deposited inside the tube is unknown, it is advisable to proceed with caution by initially shooting a soft projectile, with a diameter slightly larger than that of the tube, to gradually remove the sediment.
2 – Is it possible to clean a clogged tube?
No, the tube must not be completely clogged. There must be at least a minimal passage of air to push the projectile along the tube.
3 – Is it possible to clean pipes with bends, fittings, welds?
Yes, the projectile is specifically designed to be able to withstand pipes with bends, even 90°, coils, fittings, or welds (in this last case the projectile will also clean the welding residue).
4 – Is it possible to clean T and Y junctions?
Yes, but you need to choose to shoot the projectile from the correct branch: it is always necessary to force the projectile to take only one path, closing one of the two branches to make it turn into the other and vice versa. In T junctions you should always shoot "from below" while in Y junctions, always "from above".
5 – Is it possible to clean branched pipes?
Yes, it is possible as long as you know exactly the layout of the piping. The projectile is not intelligent and cannot choose which direction to take; we must direct it in the correct direction by closing off the branches where we do not want it to go. The projectile must travel in a pipe that always has only one entry and one exit.
6 – Can the projectile damage the inner wall of the pipe?
The Complex (C), Superduro (S), and Food&Flex (F) projectiles cannot damage the inner wall of the pipe.
The ABR (A) projectiles could leave some slight superficial abrasion marks on pipes made of non-metallic material.
7 – Is there a maximum length that the projectile can travel?
No, the projectile can potentially travel an infinite length. It only depends on the amount of air available to constantly push the projectile along the entire length of the pipe, which can also 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 the shaft of a butterfly valve.
9 – What is the required air pressure/flow rate?
To operate correctly, 6-8 bar of pressure is sufficient. The available flow rate is more important than the pressure itself; it is therefore recommended to connect a minimum 8-10mm I.D. air hose to the gun. For pipes with a diameter greater than approx. 30mm or of considerable length, a 13mm I.D. hose is recommended.
10 – Can the projectile break?
The projectile can break only in rare cases, particularly if there are protrusions, sharp burrs, or defects inside the pipe that could scratch it. In this case, however, the projectile provides important information about the internal condition of the pipe.
11 – Can chemicals be used?
Yes, the projectile can be soaked in a chemical product (detergent, disinfectant, degreaser, lubricant, etc.) to increase its cleaning power or to use it as a tool to treat the inside of the pipe. It is sufficient to soak the projectile with the product and shoot 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 to the point of breaking.
12 – Can the system only be powered with compressed air?
No, the system can be used with compressed air or with other inert gases such as Nitrogen or CO2... It must absolutely not be used with unstable, dangerous, or flammable gases such as, for example, oxygen or methane!
13 – Can it only be used on smooth and round pipes?
No, the projectile adapts to the internal shape of the pipe and can also be used on pipes with oval, square, or grooved interiors, etc...
14 – Can the projectile be reused multiple times?
Yes, depending on the condition of the projectile after the first shot, it can be reused several more times. The projectile, especially if large, can also be washed and reused. The important thing is that its structure and shape remain intact.