Cleaning your heat exchanger is a necessary but sometimes intensive process. There are numerous environmental and safety concerns to consider while determining the best means and practices to remove fouling from the inside of the tubes, and it’s essential to be thoroughly educated on best practices and how to overcome challenges during the cleaning process.
Firstly, not all heat exchanger cleaning methods are the same and should not be approached the same. Mechanical or chemical options can be utilized depending on the severity, the type of deposit buildup, and the material of the exchanger. One challenge you may encounter is that deposit buildup, typically managed by brushes or plastic/metal cleaners, will often require chemical solutions to dissolve harder deposits that build up over time. As a result, you must ensure you have a thorough knowledge of the type and severity of deposits within your heat exchanger. You can determine this buildup by a water analysis, water treatment reports, obtaining an actual deposit sample, or how much time has passed between cleanings.
Remember that utilizing a chemical descaling approach brings about a different set of challenges. While this method is often used to clean tougher scale buildup, choosing the right chemical is critical, as not all chemicals will react the same on all metals. For this reason, the demand for “green” descaling agents that are more environmentally friendly is on the rise. However, these agents need to be matched to the material they will be in contact with.
Utilizing a trusted and qualified team is one of the best ways to ensure your heat exchanger is properly and thoroughly cleaned without risk or hazard. These trained professionals will be prepared to meet challenges head-on and can decipher the best methods to clean your heat exchanger.
Wheelhouse Industries offers descaling chemicals for scale deposits or the mechanical cleaning approach for various types of deposits. Our heat exchanger and condenser chemical cleaning products are designed and formulated to offer the lowest corrosion rates and most efficient green solutions available for safe and cost-effective performance.