 Gum: Do you feel lucky?
April 1st 2008
INTEX Cleaning Services specialises in nationwide gum removal.To take the gum off
the streets it uses vehicles equipped with Cat Pumps'Triplex plunger pumps
INTEX knows a lot about gum removal. It estimates that over 70 per
cent of the pavement outside tube stations and major shop
entrances can be covered in gum.The solution? High temperature
water at low pressures to the affected areas using purpose-designed
vehicles equipped with Cat Pumps'Triplex plunger pumps.
The self-contained vehicles, developed by Hugh Crane (Cleaning
Equipment) and INTEX to carry out cleaning operations throughout
the night when the streets and pavements are largely deserted.The
cleaning vehicle consists of two sections, these consisting of a power
module and a crew facility cabin.The power module supplies two
operatives with high-pressure water at very high temperatures which
together with water at a pressure of up to 200 bar disperses the gum
in just a few seconds. Once all the gum is removed the whole area is
hot washed to leave the surface in a pristine condition.
What makes this cleaning unit so effective is the Cat Pumps model
660 Triplex Plunger Pump, which is driven by a three cylinder diesel
engine and close coupled gearbox. This has proved to be a highly
reliable unit and typically is operating on a continuous twelve-hour
duty cycle.The Cat pumps used for chewing gum removal can
accommodate temperatures up to 95ºC and of significant
importance, the lubricated V-and cooled packings are capable of
withstanding sustained
attack from the high
temperatures required
for effective cleaning.
he design of the
plunger pump enables
greater pressures to be
attained than that of a
piston pump. Plunger
pumps also offer
tremendous versatility
with optional direct
coupling drives and
wet-end material options. In the case of the Cat Pumps model 660,
the 304 and 306 stainless steel valves and seats are hardened for
ultimate seating and extended service life.
By way of example, INTEX's oldest cleaning unit which has been
still has the original pump has clocked up over 12,000 hours and
pumped more than 4,000,000 gallons of water.How many tons of
chewing gum it has removed is
more difficult to estimate. | 
