Frequent and comprehensive heat exchanger cleanings are necessary to prolong your equipment’s service life and maintain peak efficiency. However, standard cleaning processes vary greatly, and many owners debate whether chemical or mechanical processes are better for sustaining their heat exchanger cleaning needs. In reality, comprehensive cleaning practices often incorporate both chemical and mechanical processes.
Chemical cleaning, at its core, involves utilizing specialized chemical solutions to target hard to remove deposits within a heat exchanger and break down buildup. Mechanical processes, on the other hand, involve manually cleaning your heat exchanger using tools and physical force to dislodge scale or deposits. Both have unique benefits.
Chemical cleaning processes are often able to target difficult to reach areas that may otherwise be inaccessible, and chemical solutions can be used to target stubborn buildup that mechanical processes are unable to remove. However, these chemical cycles can be costly and time-consuming, meaning longer periods of downtime and decreased efficiency. Mechanical processes, while not able to be used on all areas of a heat exchanger, typically take less time and require fewer single-use products like chemical solutions that can damage equipment over time. Due to the unique challenges and benefits of these two processes, more and more companies and owners choose to utilize a combination of both to promote optimal performance.
For example, using chemical solutions to break down tough-to-access scale and buildup within your heat exchanger allows for mechanical processes to work more efficiently, minimizing overall time and effort. Incorporating a chemical agent followed by mechanical cleaning like a brush scraper or high-powered water jet also reduces the risk of corrosion caused by high rates of direct contact between strong chemical agents and a heat exchanger’s inner parts.
Furthermore, a comprehensive cleaning regime may mean using chemical solutions for deep-cleaning purposes, but mechanical processes for preventative maintenance between chemical cleanings. This reduces the amount of build up over time and allows for decreased downtime and costs associated with less frequent cleanings.
Strategically incorporating both chemical and mechanical processes into your cleaning arrangement promotes both efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Regular utilization of both processes leads to a fewer number of contaminants, meaning less chemical solutions are necessary to remove scale or buildup. Likewise, your heat exchanger will function more efficiently due to these regular cleanings, decreasing energy costs and minimizing the number of repairs or replacements needed over time.