Descaling of Boiler
Descaling of Boiler
(OP)
Hello All,
I am Working in a petrochemical Industry ( Acetate Production plant). We have two fire boilers ( package type fire tube boilers) having capacity of 5 ton each for Saturated steam. We want to descale it. which Chemicals and Inhibitors are best for this in term of Efficiency ,cost and handling ? Please help me.
I am Working in a petrochemical Industry ( Acetate Production plant). We have two fire boilers ( package type fire tube boilers) having capacity of 5 ton each for Saturated steam. We want to descale it. which Chemicals and Inhibitors are best for this in term of Efficiency ,cost and handling ? Please help me.





RE: Descaling of Boiler
Citric Acid is sometimes used along with a power flush using temporary pumps and filters. Other proprietary chemicals are available.
https://www.unitedlabsinc.com/content/pdf/label/41...
http://www.chemtexlimited.com/boiler-descaling.htm...
MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer
RE: Descaling of Boiler
They need to take scale samples to determine what they are removing, and which chemicals to use.
Then they will set up to recirculate the cleaning mixture through the boiler.
They will need to be adding fresh chemicals to keep the concentrations correct, and monitor to determine when they reach the end point.
Then they will flush and neutralize.
And last but not least they will dispose of the hazardous waste generated.
The only people that I know of that do this themselves are the guys that make the cleaners.
It is usually a mixture of citric, phosphoric, hydrochloric acids, with surfactants, inhibitors, and sometimes chelating agents.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: Descaling of Boiler
RE: Descaling of Boiler
I agree with the previous posts: hire the job done, but ask around to be sure you engage a reputable firm for the work...and have your business/legal people work with your engineers to embed work guarantees and so on right into the contract.
But even more basic than that...
WHY do you want to descale? Has it been determined by your Operations Department that there is excessive heat loss and/or insufficient heat transfer occurring within these boilers?
What are the boilers fueled with? Could there be fouling inside the fire tubes?
Some operating engineers prefer to see a light coating of scale on the water side of a boiler rather than none at all, since the scale can act as a protectant to the base metal of the boiler itself.
It is always wise to conclusively ensure descaling is warranted before proceeding with it.
CR
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." [Proverbs 27:17, NIV]
RE: Descaling of Boiler
Aside from the obvious hazard of dealing with potentially dangerous chemicals, you also need to know what can be used for the type of scale. Some cleaning be done by flushing with good quality water while others are not soluble (sp?).
Have you had your scale analyzed to determine what it is?
RE: Descaling of Boiler