On-line Method of Cleaning Tubes in the Industrial Sector

The mechanical process of tube cleaning involves the movement of a cleaning body through the tube for removing deposits from tube wall. It is actually a brush, which is moved inside the tube by a flexible spring or a rod. In the industrial sector, different processes have been developed. Here we have discussed about the on-line procedure.
 
On-line method

In on-line method, the tube cleaning brushes moves via the tubes with a conveying medium clearing all the deposits. The brushes which are of diameters up to fifty mm have sponge rubber whereas the larger ones that are up to size of the oil pipelines have scrapers or pigs. The sponge rubber balls are basically used to cool water such as river, sea or any cooling tower water.

However, cleaning bodies shouldn’t be remaining in conveying medium. They are to be gathered just after passing via the tubes. So, when it comes to sponge rubber balls, the process is done by the use of special strainer sections. For pigs or scrapers, the outward transfer station is all that’s provided.

As per the taprogge method, these rubber balls are injected again in upstream of system so that the tube gets cleaned by the corresponding ball re-circulating unit whereas pig or scraper is taken out by the hand and injected into a separate collector. The sponge rubber balls thus uphold a constant cleaning procedure while the pig or scraper system is irregular.

For the pharmaceutical or chemical industry, specially designed brushes are employed but the conveying media flows are so much weak that off-line methods are used most of the time. 

4 Popular Tube Cleaning Brushes

Different types of cleaning brushes are necessary in the industrial areas for maintaining the machines and other tools and equipments. Among different varieties of brushes the tube cleaning brush is the most popular. These tube brushes are designed in such a manner that you can use them for cleaning pipes, tubes, instruments, ultrasonic, glassware, hoses, etc. Different types of materials like nylon, stainless steel, brass, are mostly used in order to construct these definite types of cleaning brushes. If you are in need of these tube cleaning brushes, you can buy it from an industrial brush distributor that provides high quality cleaning brushes.

The types of tube brushes are discussed below:

1. Miniature abrasive tube brushes: These brushes are more flexible compared to the wire-fill brushes. They are designed in such a manner so that they can retain the shape. They are the best option for deburring and cleaning holes in metallic and non-metallic parts. Silicate and aluminium-oxide tube brushes are specially designed for power cleaning.
   
   
2. Micro deburring tube brush: These brushes are available in stainless steel and are an ideal option for internal cleaning, removing micro burr, preparing surface and removing small imperfections.
   
   
3. Manuel single spiral tube brush: These tube brushes are provided with twisted wire and are best for cleaning the cylindrical cavities, internal surface and drilled orifices of any hard material.  Brass, stainless steel, carbon fiber and high carbon steel are mainly used to manufacture these brushes.
   
   
4. Miniature tube cleaning brushes: Mainly nylon, stainless steel and brass are used to manufacture these brushes. These brushes are best for cleaning and deburring cavities and small holes.

Choosing Abrasive Brushes

Abrasive brushes are non-oxidizing. So, there is no reaction with the metal. They are safer to use and fast working. These brushes do not load.

Unlike the wire brushes where all work is done by the filament tips, abrasive brushes use both the sides as well as the tips of the filament for doing the work. Their filaments are flexible conforming to part geometry. Users can change the cutting properties by changing the grits.

They can be run dry or wet. But a few conditions may need the use of a coolant if it’s put under stress resulting in heat. When these brushes are exposed to too much of heat, they result in smearing of the filament. They are best for automated processes and are a perfect finishing and deburring tool.

Unlike the wire brushes, the rule to run abrasive nylon brushes is at a slower speed. Maximum RPM isn’t the perfect speed for abrasive brushes. So, always try staying below 3,5000 SFPM.  Since an abrasive nylon brush has the ability to cut on all the surfaces, it’s best to let the part to have complete penetration of the brush.

The shorter will be the trim length, more extreme will the brushing action be. Select brushes that have a longer trim length if you want a brush, which will follow contours of work piece.

Abrasives must be chosen based on the material you work with. Try silicon carbide for cast iron. Silicon Carbide is a common abrasive type and is very reasonable. Use Aluminium Oxide for titanium, stainless steel or aluminium. If you want to get a finish with more shine, AO is best. Aluminium Oxide abrasives are often used with valuable and soft metals.