It is highly important to have a considerable knowledge of
the different types of foulants or build-up present in the tubing for effective
cleaning of condenser tubes. Depending on the awareness, different approaches
could be undertaken. It is now possible to make a thorough heat exchanger
cleaning. The results found are worth the effort made. With a small increase in
water flow, the money saved on decreased fuel costs would be a considerable
amount. Also, if the tubing is kept in a better condition, the equipment will
be kept in service for a longer duration.
With proper heat exchange cleaning, it is possible to avoid
costly replacement. For good maintenance of condenser tube, there are a good
number of methods available,many of which are pretty traditional. One
mechanical approach that is resorted to is hydro-blasting and is actually
forcing water through the tubing under high pressure.
Although, it is possible to remove much debris with this
method, there are possibilities of some pitting and damages to smaller joints.
It is seen that as soon as water starts flowing again, the surface again begin
to collect foulant due to the roughness of the surface. Hence, though this
method is suitable in most circumstances, it may not be the best method of heat
exchanger cleaning always.
Another method that has been tried includes a cocktail of six
different chemical agents, which included a 12% foaming hydrochloric acid
solution. The result showed the presence of little surface roughness, but there
were concerns about ecological implications. Yet another approach in cleaning
involved driving nylon or wire brushes and rubber plugs through the tubing as
water is forced at high pressure. The danger of damage done to softer tubing
was also considerable, especially copper alloy tubing.
The mineral crystallization leading to corrosion of crevice by
itself can be prevented by the use of clarification process. Recently a much
better and safer method of heat exchanger cleaning, which included Boiler tube cleaning, especially during
online maintenance, has been tested and found to be quite successful and
environmentally-friendly. In this process, plastic scrapers or spring-loaded
metal are shot through the system with a force similar to a high pressure water
gun. The result is a thorough cleaning of metal without affecting the joints or
softer copper alloy tubing.
Additionally, for special tubing needs, one can use custom
designed scarpers. This is widely adopted nowadays and is the most efficient
and cost-effective method to clean heat exchanger. There is no damage done to
the tubing itself and the cleaning is perfect without any surface roughness.
Hence, the use of tube scraper cleaning method seems to be
the most thorough and effective method nowadays, though offline cleaning could
be adopted in some respects.
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