Heat Exchanger Maintenance 101: Regular Cleaning
Posted in Uncategorised, on September 22, 2021 By Admin
Proper maintenance of industrial equipment such as heat exchangers is crucial for the assurance of smooth processes and uninterrupted operations. When it comes to heat exchangers, one of the easiest ways to ensure their performance is to regularly clean them.
The main goal of heat exchanger cleaning is to prevent failure and downtime.
Without regular cleaning, you may find your heat exchanger encountering one or all these issues:
1. Buildup of rust or corrosion
Heat exchangers produce condensation due to their heating operations. This condensation, if uncontrolled, can lead to rust and corrosion. One of the ways to keep this issue in check is to regularly inspect your heat exchanger and clean up all the excess moisture. In addition, subjecting your heat exchanger to preventative maintenance is also recommended, as excess moisture buildup can sometimes be caused by faulty or blocked drain lines or pipes. This is why it is also important to regularly clean your drain lines and pipes.
2. Old age
If a heat exchanger has been in use for around 10 years, you can bet that it will require more attention and care than usual. Not all age-related problems can be solved by cleaning, but regular cleaning of an aged heat exchanger does give you the opportunity to closely inspect its components. If the equipment fails, you can rest assured that it is not due to some kind of buildup of debris or clogged components.
3. Material deterioration
Most heat exchangers are constructed of metal. This means that they will experience metal fatigue at some point. However, some operators occasionally notice premature deterioration of materials. This can be caused by a number of issues with the system. To minimize the potential for metal deterioration, make sure you only use material-safe cleaning solutions and materials. Using highly abrasive or rough materials can factor into premature metal deterioration.
Now that you know the consequences of failing to clean your heat exchangers regularly, let us focus on some helpful tips on how to carry out this maintenance procedure properly.
Aside from ensuring you use the right kind of cleaning materials, you need to ensure you perform the cleaning regularly. Set a schedule and have it be consistent. Before setting up your own system, consult with the manufacturer to learn if there are any specific considerations for your heat exchanger. The manufacturer should be able to tell you how often the equipment needs to be cleaned, how it needs to be cleaned, and give you some ideas on which kinds of cleaning products to purchase.
If you ever need help figuring out how to properly clean your heat exchanger, just give the experts at McRae Engineering a call. As specialists in the distribution of heat exchanger products and technologies, we know all about how to maintain this equipment. Contact us today and one of our representatives will be glad to assist you.
