Cleaning of spiral heat exchanger?

[Randygos]

Has anyone tried to mechanically clean a spiral plate heat exchanger with sponge balls, bristle balls, or any other type? I am familiar with the shell and tube process of this type of cleaning and how much more performance is obtained. If you could circulate cleaning balls in a plate exchanger would they be effective? Obviously not as efficient as a tube type, but if constantly circulated wouldn't they randomly clean the surfaces and extend the time between a physical/chemical cleaning? Any information or opinions welcome. Btw, this is my first post.

Thanks.

 

[MJCronin]

Take a picture of the HX ... is there a removable cover ?..... Who is the vendor for the HX and what did they say ?

Or perhaps your boss just doesn't want to remove the HX, take it apart and disassmble it ?

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[georgeverghese]

Both sides of the spiral HX must be completely depressured and positively isolated before maintenance, else you may damage the HX. Ask the manufacturer for advice on cleaning procedure.

 

[pierreick]

Hi,
You have 2 access doors for cleaning!
As others said, take a look at the manual (special operation), isolate the equipment, depressurize it prior to open the doors.[
You also may want to call the vendor for advice.

 

[TiCl4]

Normally responses on here are good, but it seems like nobody except MJ even read OP's post. He's asking about cleaning in place during operation, not if he can take it apart and clean it.

OP, my experience has only been with spongeballs on tubular membranes. I think softer cleaning balls would be fine, but I would be worried about using carbide-lined balls. Specifically, the plate gaskets that seal the spiral channels are soft and I am unsure how it would hold up when doing an abrasive CIP cleaning. MJ's suggesting about contacting the manufacturer is a good place to start, but they may not have experience with this type of cleaning.

 

[Randygos]

@TiCl4 thank you for understanding the question! Yes we have chemically cleaned our hx's, also opened them up and cleaned the process water biological fouling. However when we do we lose cooling efficiency and in turn lose production which is obviously big $$$. If we could keep them clean or clean online that would be ideal. Didn't consider the gaskets, however I don't think an aggressive abrasive cleaning would be needed, just a gentle rub to wipe the film off...? Looks like this is untested territory.

 

[georgeverghese]

Try air bumping - injecting compressed air into the cooling water side to loosen up soft silt, while the unit is running. We've done this on shell and tube units and it helps to extend runtime somewhat, but not by much.

 

[pierreick]

@Ticl4,
Yes I've read the post and I've experience with HX and Operation, 40 years!
regards

Pierre

 

[Dhurjati Sen]

Are you sure that fouling is the only cause of efficiency loss?
Have you checked the integrity of the plates?
They might have got bent or collapsed could be a possibility.


DHURJATI SEN
Kolkata, India