HEAT EXCHANGER – PROBLEM AREAS
Cleaning of heat exchangers is labour-intensive and very costly. Mostly a conventional high pressure cleaning applied in which there are huge amounts of (hot) water are consumed while the waste water stream should be processed correctly. The time factor also plays an important role in which the job is done.
FOULING I SCALING I CHEMICAL RESIDUE
CLEANING OF HEAT EXCHANGER WITH ULTRASONIC TECHNOLOGY
WHAT IS ULTRASONIC CLEANING PROCESS
An Ultrasonic Cleaner comprises of a large tank (with different sizes), motor/ circuit for cleaning the contaminated parts, a removable basket / tray or a component holding system. To begin the cleaning process, the cleaning tank is filled with warm water or a cleaning solution. Cleaning solutions can consist of non-ionic surfactants & detergents. You can then place the components in a basket or uspend them from the top using a lifting arrangement and place that basket/component inside the tank.
When you switch on the machine, ultrasound waves and chemicals combined to create bubbles that "cling" to the foreign particles such as dirt, oil, and unknown substances. The high frequency waves are sent out and pull the contaminants off of the object. The vibrating motion of the ultrasonic waves creates tiny bubbles in the water known as
cavitation; millions of these bubbles rubs against each-other and into the object resting in the cleaning tank. This cavitation process gently knocks dirt & stain off the object. The motion is very effective at penetrating the tiny crevices which is not possible via human hand or by dunking the instrument in water/ chemical alone.
AT TRANSONIC; we specialize in manufacture & supply of industrial or marine ultrasonic cleaning equipment.We have extensive experience of chemical products, also power supply and control equipment.
Our ultrasonic cleaning equipment series ranges from small units for filter and engine parts cleaning, to large units for process heaters, main engine or power plant engine cylinder heads, air cooler and turbo charger cleaning with a volume up to 30,000 L or more.
The application with ultrasonic cleaning provides an alternative and more efficient way to clean heat exchangers. The generated cavitation bubbles provide a separation of the contamination without damaging the heat exchangers.
KEY AREAS IN CLEANING PROCESS:
- Size & Material make of Ultarsonic Tank & Transducer Boxes
- Power of Ultrasonic and Sweep modes in Ultrasonic Generators
- The correct chemistry – alkaline / acidic solutions for removing various types of Fouling / Rust / Sludge / Chemical marks & Scaling
Method
The combination of chemical, heat, agitation and ultrasonic power in the right combination was very successful in removing industrial scale, calcium build up, varnishes, corrosion and other build up on tubes, in crevices, blind bolt holes and other cavities.
Results
The results are excellent, heat exchangers are de-scaled with no damage to the parts.
Process
The process works by converting electrical energy through transducers into high frequency sound waves, ultrasonic energy. In effect tiny bubbles form and then implode on the part which lifts the contamination when used in combination with the mix of chemical, heat and agitation.
Advantages
Other advantages of the ultrasonic cleaning process over the more traditional methods are reduced labour costs (cheaper prices for our clients) and reduced detrimental effect on the environment in comparison to high water consumption steam cleaning and the problems associated contaminated water.
