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The RIF Cutter

Rotary desooting cutter

The ’Rifcutter’ rotary desooting cutter is a highly iffective tool for the removal of soot deposits from tubular flues. Even the hardest layers can be cut away, thereby considerably increasing boiler efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.

30kW boiler, before desooting
The same boiler after desooting with the "RIF-cutter"

When in use, the rotary desooting cutter is attached to a conventional electric drill and so compressed air is not required.

The rotary cutting head has 4 cutting disks of steel which are edge-hardened. The cutting disks are attached to rotating arms which during operation are thrown outwards towards the tube wall by the centrifugal force which is generated. The higher the speed of rotation, the greater the cutting force (the centrifugal force increases as the square of the rotational speed – when the rotational speed is doubled, the cutting force increases fourfold).

The diameters of the cutting disks are precisely calculated and tested with a view to achieving optimum results. The rotary cutters can be used in flue tubes with an internal diameter ranging from 32 mm up to 100 mm.

For maximum efficiency there are 4 sizes of cutting head:

Type 32-90: ideally suited for an internal diameter of 32-36 mm, but can be used for internal diameters of up to 90 mm.

Type 36-100: ideally suited for an internal diameter of 36-45 mm, but can be used for internal diameters of up to 100 mm.

Type 45-90: ideally suited for an internal diameter of 45-55 mm, but can be used for internal diameters of up to 90 mm.

Type 55-100: the ideal cutter for internal diameters of 55-100 mm.

If there is only one internal diameter to deal with, the appropriate cutter should be chosen from the list above. If several different diameters are involved, a cutter should be chosen which is suitable for more than one diameter.

The standard device for tubes with a maximum length of 900 mm is shown in the illustration below.

The device consists of: a cutting head, a support plate, a drive shaft, a stop plate. If the tube length exceeds 900 mm, but is not more than 2 metres, an extension rod of 500 mm or 1025 mm is added, together with an extra support plate. NB: it is also possible to use the rotary desooting cutter in flue tubes longer than 2 metres.

Send an e-mail to info@kastrup-genberg.se or ring us on 08 554 24080 for price information for the standard device.

Standard device for a tube length of up to 900 mm and consisting of a cutting head, a support plate, a drive shaft and stop plate:

Type 32-90: order number 10215.
Type 36-100: order number 10219.
Type 45-90: order number 10220.
Type 55-100: order number 10221.

Extension rod 500 mm: order number 10207.
Extension rod 1025 mm: order number 10208.

NB: always quote the tube internal diameter so that we can select the correct support plate.

Flexible shaft

If there is insufficient room above the boiler, for example if the boiler room has a low ceiling, a flexible shaft can be used, which means that less space is required above the boiler. There are two types of flexible shaft, and these are available in a variety of lengths.

Cutting disks as spare parts.

The rotary desooting cutter cutting disks, 4 in total, are available as spares, and are easy to replace should they become worn over time.

Advantages of a desooted boiler. Clean tubes in the boiler’s heat exchanger will result in:

  • Increased efficiency
  • Much improved fuel economy
  • Decreased environmental impact
  • Lower flue gas and flue temperatures.