Insect products blocks vent pipe
Insect products blocks vent pipe
(OP)
Good day to everyone
Recently, we find out that four vent pipes (internal diameter about 8 mm) were blocked by insect products which looked like cocoon. The blockage was from 10 to 40 cm long inside the pipe. The pipes were used to release (generally small quantities) gas from a pressure of about 6 bar, triggering a sequence of movements. And of course, since there was no release of gas no sequence happened. We had to dimantle the vent pipes and clean them using a wire
We have not found any insects, only its products. Normally these pipes are used (flow is passing) twice a year or in an emergency.
Does anyone know how can we protect these pipes from similar blocking in the fuure? I am not sure if putting a "net" at the outlet is a good solution.
Thank you in advance!
Costas
Recently, we find out that four vent pipes (internal diameter about 8 mm) were blocked by insect products which looked like cocoon. The blockage was from 10 to 40 cm long inside the pipe. The pipes were used to release (generally small quantities) gas from a pressure of about 6 bar, triggering a sequence of movements. And of course, since there was no release of gas no sequence happened. We had to dimantle the vent pipes and clean them using a wire
We have not found any insects, only its products. Normally these pipes are used (flow is passing) twice a year or in an emergency.
Does anyone know how can we protect these pipes from similar blocking in the fuure? I am not sure if putting a "net" at the outlet is a good solution.
Thank you in advance!
Costas





RE: Insect products blocks vent pipe
Just plan on blasting gas through them regularly (sometimes you can use canned air with a thin tube and insert the tube past the blockage to blow the stuff out).
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
www.muleshoe-eng.com
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
The Plural of "anecdote" is not "data"
RE: Insect products blocks vent pipe
I don't have a prevention idea for you, but I have contacts who swear its the most common reason outdoor barbecue grilles are thrown out: over winter, the spiders built nests in the air mixing tubes and the owner thinks the burner is plugged up. Solution in our climate is to clean out with a wire every spring.
Possibly a very large area fine screen tube, within a larger outer tube for weather protection? Or, as previous post suggested, human labor intensive periodic inspection and cleaning.
k
RE: Insect products blocks vent pipe
The solution is to simply put a vent screen (or "vent protector") at the end of any open tubes. They are like pipe plugs with a piece of screen over the end so the buggers can't get in. You can purchase these from Swagelok, Parker, Allen Aircraft, and other tube fitting manufacturers.
RE: Insect products blocks vent pipe
Any decent plumbing supplier should have one.
Friar Tuck of Sherwood
RE: Insect products blocks vent pipe
RE: Insect products blocks vent pipe
I summarise the solutions
a. periodically blowing the line
b. large area fine screen
c. manufactured vent protector
d. flapper cap
If I understand correctly a flapper cap is a plastic cap that firmly closes the pipe outlet. In case of pressure increase in the pipe, the flapper cap will be blown away (so we should put a wire to use it again if we want).
I think the flapper cap is the solution to my problem!
Thank you all again!
Costas
RE: Insect products blocks vent pipe
ChemE, M.E. EIT
"The only constant in life is change." -Bruce Lee
RE: Insect products blocks vent pipe
An anti-vac valve would solve the problem.
Friar Tuck of Sherwood