Heat exchangers are critical pieces of equipment used in a variety of settings, and their maintenance is crucial for ensuring proper function. Without proper cleaning, you will face not only a decline in performance, but also potentially dangerous tube failures, unnecessarily high energy costs, overall performance and production loss. That’s why it’s imperative that you know when and how to properly clean your heat exchanger. Here are a few telltale warning signs that your heat exchanger needs cleaning:
Performance Loss
Often, dirt, debris, or minerals will build up over time and inhibit a heat exchanger’s ability to function properly. This will likely result in the componenthaving to work harder to perform the same tasks. Over time, you will notice that your temperature and pressure differential will increase, plus the overall performance of the heat exchanger will suffer, indicating it’s time to clean or remove any build up that has clogged the tubes or plates of the exchanger.
Superheated
With built up minerals and deposits forcing a heat exchanger to utilize more energy to operate, water can’t circulate and flow through the heat exchanger as designed. As a result, the heat exchanger may become superheated quickly enhancing scale formation and fouling. When this occurs, it’s important to thoroughly clean out any scale or fouling to restore the heat exchanger within operating parameters to regain safe operating temperatures.
Tube Failure
Tube failures are caused by many factors, such as erosion, pitting, thermal fatigue, vibration, and more. Tube erosion can be caused by high levels of total dissolved solids like silica, sea water containing salt, and sand. Excessive fouling in a heat exchanger tube can lead to areas within the tube to develop “under-deposit” corrosion. Ensuring that the tubes are kept clean and remain within the manufacturers operating parameters will ensure proper life cycle of the heat exchanger.
Wheelhouse Industries offers descaling chemicals for scale deposits or the mechanical cleaning approach for lighter deposits. Our heat exchanger and condenser chemical cleaning products are designed and formulated to offer the lowest corrosion and most efficient green solutions available for safe and cost-effective performance. Learn more at wheelhouseindustries.com.