How to Maintain Heat Exchanger Tubes?

When discussing heat exchanger tubes, they are designed to transfer heat from one medium to another during processing and are well-suited for high-pressure applications. To maintain the efficiency of your heat exchanger tubes, it is essential to follow good cleaning practices to avoid degradation. Therefore, to prevent disruption to your production process and avoid these problems, it is best to regularly clean and maintain your heat exchangers. Learn how you can maintain heat exchanger tubes and reduce your operational expenses.

Top 5 Tips & Tricks to Maintain Heat Exchanger Tubes!

• Periodic Cleaning & Maintenance

   

 
For any equipment to operate at its maximum efficiency, it must be maintained properly. Cleaning the heat exchanger tubes will prevent the buildup of sediments and dust to damaging levels. It is beneficial to conduct timely inspections to ensure that the equipment is fully operational and complies with regulatory requirements. Additionally, ensure that external surfaces such as shell sides, tube bundles, and interior pipelines are thoroughly cleaned.

• Be Careful with Sediment Deposits

 
Removing hard sediment deposits can be challenging. Some companies even use hammers and chisels to remove the build-up, which can be particularly damaging to the tubes. When cleaning, it’s important to read the heat exchanger manufacturer’s instructions and consider hiring professional help. Professionals use the right cleaning tools, such as band-saws and ultra-high pressure water jetting, to effectively remove thick polymer deposits and enhance the efficiency of your process.

• Ensure Proper Flow Rate

 
The fluid temperature and velocity significantly influence fouling on heat exchanger tubes. Regularly check and adjust flow rates to prevent fouling. Additionally, shell and tube heat exchangers, due to low internal fluid velocities, are prone to fouling. To maintain efficiency, keep heat transfer surfaces clean.

• Use Clean-in-place Equipment (CIP)

 
If you are dealing with lime deposits or want to protect the surface of the heat exchanger tube against corrosion, clean-in-place equipment can clean your exchanger in a smooth and hassle-free manner. There is no need for disassembly, and the equipment provides both chemical and mechanical cleaning. With the clean-in-place method, you can clean the internal and external surfaces to remove various sediment deposits. However, before proceeding with this procedure, read the heat exchanger manufacturer’s instructions to know whether CIP is allowed. If not, you may have to clean the tube manually.

• Prevent Leaks by Replacing Gaskets Every Once in a While

 
The majority of gaskets in plate heat exchanger tubes are made from perishable rubber polymers. Over time, these rubber polymers can lose their ability to seal effectively. Therefore, it is essential to replace the gaskets periodically to prevent leaks and improve the efficiency of heat exchangers.

Get the Highest Quality Heat Exchanger Tubes from Us!

 
At Anand Seamless Ltd, we offer a wide range of cold-drawn tubes and heat exchanger tubes used across various industries. As one of the leading heat exchanger tube manufacturers in India, we specialize in delivering high-quality, customizable solutions to our clients on time. Contact us today at +91-9099996851 or email us at inquiry@anandseamless.com to send us your inquiries!