ARTICLES

Maintenance of Heat Exchanger Tubes

Introduction

The maintenance of heat exchanger tubes is critical for cost reduction and performance improvement in energy and petrochemical facilities. Goodway's projectile scrapers, according to independent tests, have been shown to be safe and do not cause significant wear on tube walls. This cleaning method is effective in removing deposits without affecting the integrity of the equipment, thereby enhancing the long-term efficiency of the systems.

The use of projectile scrapers on heat exchanger tubes in energy and petrochemical facilities has proven to be an effective and safe method for removing deposits. These tubes are crucial for system performance and often accumulate organic or inorganic deposits that reduce their efficiency. The mechanical cleaning process with projectiles is particularly effective as it removes contaminants without causing significant reduction in tube wall thickness, ensuring the long-term performance of the systems.

Preconceptions and Testing

There is a perception that when metal components rub against each other, they cause wear. However, Goodway Technologies, through independent testing, has demonstrated that their projectile scrapers cause minimal wear. According to the study, the projectiles remove 90% of contaminants without damaging the tube walls, thereby extending the lifespan of the tubes and improving system performance.

Testing and Results

The test was conducted on copper-nickel and stainless steel tubes using Goodway’s mechanical projectile scrapers. During the test, the tubes underwent 100 cleanings with both new and reusable projectiles. The results showed minimal reduction in wall thickness (maximum reduction of 0.001 inches), within the acceptable tolerance limit for the tubes. This demonstrates that Goodway's projectile scrapers are safe and do not negatively affect the integrity of the tubes, while ensuring effective cleaning and maintenance of performance.

Testing Methodology

Goodway Technologies collaborated with an independent laboratory to test the use of their projectile scrapers on copper-nickel and stainless steel tubes. The testing process involved continuous cleaning of the tubes with specific water pressures and numbers of shots to evaluate the reduction in tube wall thickness. The results showed minimal variations in wall thickness, even after 100 shots, proving that Goodway’s cleaning method is safe for long-term use.

Conclusions

The data from the tests indicate that Goodway’s mechanical projectile scrapers are a safe and effective method for cleaning heat exchanger tubes. The reduction in wall thickness is negligible, even after multiple shots, confirming the preservation of tube integrity. This method is a cost-effective solution for preventing corrosion and maintaining performance in energy and petrochemical facilities, extending equipment lifespan.

Authors: Timothy Robb and Victor Ceci, Goodway Technologies Corporation