The Practical Application and Innovation of Cleaning Technology for Heat Exchangers

The fouling of heat exchangers not only has a negative impact on heat transfer efficiency but also may restrict the output or production capacity of the facility. Given the cooling medium and the process, heat exchangers may be lightly fouled with organic deposits or may be severely blocked from hardened process chemicals. The probability of success in cleaning the heat exchanger is dependent on the selection of the appropriate cleaning technology under the specific fouling conditions. Early identification of fouling characteristics and a fundamental knowledge of cleaning system capabilities are essential in determining the most effective cleaning technology and the frequency of cleaning required. Unique circumstances may require innovative solutions. State-of-the-art cleaning technologies for shell and tube heat exchangers and air-cooled heat exchangers are introduced. The practical application and innovation of cleaning technology is discussed. Methods for effective removal of various deposit types are presented