摘要 |
Apparatus and method for cleaning the internal walls of conduit 3 (not shown in full), particularly car radiators or photobioreactors, comprises mobile cleaning means 4 - preferably beads or a pig - within a second conduit 10 which is connected to conduit 3, at least one inlet valve (not shown), connected to the conduit 3 via an ejector tube 2, for introducing a liquid 5 into the conduit, at least one aperture 6 in the conduit 10 to permit part of the liquid 5 to pass out of conduit 10 to a collection vessel 7, a pump means 9 to pump liquid 5 from said collection vessel 7 to said inlet valve (not shown) causing the liquid 5 to flow in the conduit 3 thus inducing the cleaning means 4 to move within the conduit. The collection vessel 7 may have a valve 8 to release any gas from the liquid. In one embodiment the conduit 3 may be connected to others to form an enclosed circularitory system, the cleaning means 4 completes a circuit and in a second embodiment the conduit 3 may stand on its own, the cleaning means 4 shuttling from end to end. |