Heat Exchanger Cleaning

Heat Exchanger Cleaning and Foulant Build-up Prevention

When it comes to the issue of condenser tube maintenance, off line cleaning, which involves separating and individually removing any foulant in each section of tubing is often the preferred method, when possible. However, when considering methods of heat exchanger cleaning, there are some drawbacks to this approach. Safety in removing and replacing the tubing becomes an issue, as does the cost-effectiveness in time and labor. Additionally, you must have a plan and place for disposal as well as to be able to ensure the protection of the base metals in the cleaning process. There are other and perhaps better methods of heat exchanger cleaning, some traditional and some involving new technology.

While hydro-blasting, chemical acid treatments, metal or wire brushes and rubber plugs have all been used in on line heat exchanger cleaning, with some level of success, they have introduced another set of issues as well. A newer technology, propelling metal or plastic tube scrapers through the tubing by means of a high pressure water gun seems to be producing the best results. With no damage to the tubes themselves, the result is a totally clean, bacteria free, spotless metal tube. Even smaller or softer tubing made with aluminum alloys seems uninjured by this process, although specially-sized scrapers can be adapted to unique joints and diameters. This method cleans down to the bare metal, leaving no residue of any type.

Because there are several different causes of foulant build-up within the condenser tubing, it is worth the time to consider how to prevent such clogging in the first place, or at least minimize it so that heat exchanger cleaning is required less often. Tube sheet pluggage is caused by rocks, plastic, trash, plants, fish, etc. macrofouling the condenser tubes. Cleaning involves simply removing the debris physically and adding good quality screens to prevent a re-occurrence of the problem.

Incoming natural water can be treated by running it through settling ponds or filtration systems to collect minerals and particulate products before they end up in your condenser tubes and require heat exchanger cleaning. Sometimes, simply speeding up the water flow slightly will reduce the amount of sediment deposit as well. You need to be careful not to increase the flow too much or you may actually damage the tubing itself, especially around joints and in smaller tubes. There are many approaches to condenser tube maintenance and heat exchanger cleaning, but thoughtful consideration of the best methods should produce the most desired results.

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