Heat Exchanger
Descaler
Problem: Scale buildup on heat exchanger tubes can
inhibit effective cooling and damage equipment. Until now, heat exchangers were removed
from ship and cleaned ashore resulting in high costs and long equipment down-times.
Solution: MTTC, in conjunction with Naval Surface
Warfare Center, Carderock, Philadelphia, developed special circulating pumps that could be
used shipboard with the new mild-acid cleaners. The new process was tested and approved. |
Before After |
Benefits
Estimated Navy
Cost Avoidance:
Minimum annual:
$4,000 K
Minimum 15 Year:
$60,000 K
Fleet Impact: In the
past, Sailors spent more time removing and reinstalling heat exchangers than actual
cleaning time. Now that they can be cleaned in place in 4 hours, vice 2 weeks previously
and the associated cooled systems can continue to be used for training and maintenance.
Much less damage occurs since heavy equipment is not being moved. |
Status:
Complete
Fleet Approval
U.S. Navy has issued
a message to the fleet authorizing the use of in-situ heat exchanger cleaning by
authorized Intermediate Maintenance Activity (IMA) personnel. All IMAs are now qualified.
This device is now the preferred method to clean these devices.
Applications:
All surface ship
heat exchangers.
Submarine and
nuclear use restricted pending analysis of metal removal rates.
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