MechChem Africa March-April 2023

Hawk pump-nozzles unblock all

Gavin Pote, director at Hawk Pumps, unpacks his company’s range of nozzles – which are designed to overcome any blockage – and explains why choosing the right nozzle is key. H awk Pumps is a Durban based company that specialises in the production of high-pressure cleaning equipment and acces sories, offering a wide range of heavy duty drain, tube, and sewer nozzles. clean tubes in heat exchangers, such as in boiler tubes. Where there is scale

Flat nozzles are most often used for removing sand from storm water drains.

build-up in these systems, the heat transfer becomes inefficient, which can lead to higher energy use and poor performance. The spin ner nozzles are effective at removing scale from the interior of pipes, as the barrel of the nozzle spins at a high velocity, pumping water from sideways, backwards, and facing holes. This washes the debris backwards. Spinning nozzles come in many variations, each suited to a different heat exchanger system. A wide range for any need One of the key advantages of Hawk Pumps’ nozzles is their versatility. The nozzles can be used to clean a wide range of drains, including kitchen sinks, toilets and sewers. They can also be used to remove blockages and debris in pipes and other drain systems. In addition to drain and tube cleaning, Hawk has a range of nozzles for different high-pressure cleaning applications, such as cleaning surfaces and equipment, as well as graffiti removal.

Gavin Pote, director at Hawk Pumps, explains that the nozzles are specifically de signed for use in drain cleaning applications, using high-pressure water flow and power ful cleaning capabilities. “The nozzles are available in a range of sizes and models, with different flow rates and pressure levels to suit different drain cleaning needs – but knowing which nozzle to use for your blockage is key”. Static (bomb) nozzles Static or ‘bomb’ nozzles are best used when cleaning and clearing blockages, and greasy deposits lining drain and sewer pipes. They are egg-shaped, giving them their moniker of ‘bomb’ nozzles. A hose is attached to the back end, and a solid stream jet fitted to the front. Three to six solid stream jets surround the hose, facing backwards and outwards, in a cone pattern. Bomb nozzles are used in pipes from 40 mm diameter domestic pipes (using 15 ℓ /min pumps) to 900 mm storm water ones (200+ ℓ /min) at pressures up to 200 bar. The reaction of the rear jets pulls the hose through the blocked pipe, while the front jet cuts into any blockage, allowing the bomb to pass through. Once through, the rear jets force the offending material to disintegrate and wash out of the pipe. At the same time, the rear jets wash greasy deposits from the interior walls of the pipe, as is typically the case in hotels, restaurants and hospitals. The bomb nozzles have been used with good success in many cases, including for eThekwini Municipality in clearing storm water drains and blockages. Flat (wedge) nozzles Flat nozzles are most often used for remov ing sand from storm water drains. They have a row of solid stream jets in the rear, which push the nozzle along the bottom of the drain until it reaches the sand blockage. The wedge shape rides up the sand, allowing the rear jets to fluidise the sand and wash it backwards.

Hawk is a manufac turer of industrial high-pressure pumping and cleaning equipment and spray ing solutions, industrial nozzles and eyewash and safety showers. “One of our biggest strengths is that we have the capacity to custom design and manufacture machines tailored to specific customer needs,” says Gavin Pote. “We serve a wide range of customers from virtually every industrial sector, including processing plants, factories, workshops, contract cleaners, drain and sewer cleaners, car, truck and bus washers, mines, agricultural infrastructure and more,” he concludes. hawkpumps.co.za

Spinning nozzles are most commonly used to clean tubes in heat exchangers, such as in boiler tubes.

Spinning nozzles Spinning nozzles are most commonly used to

12 ¦ MechChem Africa • March-April 2023