Fin Tube Cleaning Services
Many industrial plants use air-cooled condensers for combined cycle operations and other critical functions. With the essential tasks this equipment needs to handle on a daily basis, proper maintenance is crucial to keep it running effectively.
Over time, air-cooled condensers and their components are subject to debris buildup, so they require effective periodic cleaning to maintain their function. Fin tubes, in particular, can quickly get dirty, compromising the overall functionality of the system. To keep them operating correctly, you need the right cleaning services to preserve their integrity. Dry ice blasting services from EAI will keep your fin tubes in optimal condition and help you avoid problems like air-cooled condenser fouling.
What Is an Air-Cooled Condenser?
Many industrial processes generate a lot of heat. In order to continue safe, efficient operations for both the equipment and workers in the area, you must do something with the heat that accumulates. Industrial condensers are an essential part of the heat transfer process, gathering turbine exhaust steam and condensing it into a liquid.
An air-cooled condenser is a dry cooling system, or one that operates without the use of water. Whereas other types of condensers use water to lower the temperature of steam, air-cooled condensers rely on airflow. This equipment’s primary goal is to transfer the working fluid or gas into a secondary substance or release it into the air.
How Do Air-Cooled Condensers Work?
When your turbine or another piece of equipment creates exhaust steam, that steam travels to the air-cooled condenser in finned tubes. With a dry cooling system, cool ambient air flowing around the outside of the tubes removes heat from the steam within, cooling and properly cycling the substance.
There are two primary ways to air-cool turbine exhaust steam with this method — with a natural draft or with fans. Using a natural draft typically requires a hyperbolic cooling tower, which is an easily-recognizable structure that creates and harnesses drafts to cool and evaporate steam.
Air-cooled condensers use motor-powered fans for the heat transfer process rather than relying on natural airflow. This mechanical method requires several parts, such as fin tubes, condensate tanks and the fan itself. These various parts are subject to natural wear and require cleaning to continue operating efficiently and within industry standards.
Air-Cooled Condenser Fouling Tendencies
Fouling is when materials build up in an air-cooled condenser, reducing or blocking the unit’s ability to transfer heat from exhaust steam. This accumulation increases thermal resistance and prevents proper fluid flow, so it’s an issue you want to handle quickly to resume maximum efficiency.
Several types of debris can lead to external condenser fouling, including:
- Pollen.
- Dust.
- Leaves.
- Insects and birds.
- Plastic bags and other litter.
In addition to these external solid materials, water may also affect your condenser unit’s performance. If an operator sprays water on the condenser to lower its surface temperature, the water — depending on its quality — may form scales on the tube fins. This buildup fouls your equipment and lowers your heat transfer coefficient and output.
Why Get Fin Tube Cleaning?
Air-cooled condenser fouling is a significant obstacle to effective operations in industrial facilities. Over time, the condenser tubes’ fin area accumulates environmental debris that can include pollution, bird nests, road dust, leaves and even dead animals. Materials like these can significantly reduce the unit’s efficiency and lead to a loss of generating capacity.
Because fin tubes see exposure to many elements during everyday operation, it’s essential to protect and maintain them. Scheduling regular fin tube cleaning will keep these critical components delivering optimal performance and provide several advantages for your operations, including:
- Long-term equipment value: Keeping your equipment in optimal condition with the right cleaning services will boost its long-term value and life expectancy by maintaining its functional and structural integrity.
- Optimized performance: With well-maintained components, your facility’s air-cooled condenser can consistently reach its generating capacity and maintain optimal productivity levels.
- Improved work environment: Equipment in optimal condition will allow for enhanced safety and efficiency in the work environment for all employees.
- Increased revenue: Cleaning services to optimize fin tube functionality will pay for themselves with the productivity gains they yield. Your equipment will deliver higher efficiency and bring in more revenue from your operations.
Fin Tube Dry Ice Blasting
Our air-cooled condenser cleaning process involves dry ice blasting to clean the components thoroughly. We begin by pelletizing the dry ice we’ve manufactured on-site and then push the pellets through a blasting nozzle using compressed air. The dry ice pellets quickly and efficiently remove dirt and debris from the surface without causing any abrasion or harm to the equipment.
EAI brings years of experience when it comes to CO2 blasting techniques and fin tube cleaning. We’re able to use our premium equipment and process to protect your equipment’s surface and delicate components throughout the procedure. You’ll find that this process yields significant benefits for your operations and ensures consistent productivity from your air-cooled condenser.
Work With EAI to Maintain Your Air-Cooled Condenser
Since 1989, EAI has consistently delivered excellent cleaning services, providing long-lasting cleaning solutions for clients. As the leaders who introduced dry ice blasting techniques to the industry, we have the expertise to help you find the best cleaning solutions for your applications.
Our goal is to help your facility increase performance, extend equipment lifetimes and save you money on operational costs. We provide everything necessary to complete the job, from preliminary inspections to dry ice production on-site.
To get more information on our cleaning solutions for your facility, get in touch with us today.