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What are the alternatives to hydrojetting to clean heat exchangers in a refinery?

Are there any chemical cleaning solutions available to clean after bypassing the exchanger?

Thank you
 
Answers
13/01/2020 A: Eduard Cherednik, Angara, echerednik@angaraservice.com
Yes, we operate a chemical technology with mechanical effect to remove fouling from PHT CDU HEX as typically fouling is chemically inert and mechanical work is required. Normally, we start with fouling analysis in the lab to tailor the recipe as fouling is a tough animal and it depends on many factors, including crude grade and operational data so better do some testing first. Ideally our technology is designed for HEX equipped with pressure, temperature sensors to keep those clean in between of shutdowns.
18/10/2019 A: Berthold Otzisk, Kurita Europe GmbH, Berthold.Otzisk@kurita-water.com
Berthold Otzisk, Kurita Europe, berthold.otzisk@kurita.eu
Hydrojetting is the traditional method to remove hydrocarbons and hazardous gases.
Drawbacks are the potential direct contact with aerosols or awkward corners and other not readily accessible areas. Large volumes of water are required where the wash water may be high in TOC.

Based on regulatory, safety and environmental requirements the usage of powerful cleaning chemicals such as KURITA CD-9931 or Kurita CD-9932 is often the far better choice providing excellent cleaning results. After bypassing the fouled heat exchanger from the network a circulation system can be installed, where a mobile pump, flexible hoses and a mixing tank for the aqueous cleaning solution are required. In general such circulation systems can be installed without problems. Several fouled heat exchangers can be cleaned simultaneously, where a pulling of the heat exchanger bundles for mechanical cleaning is not needed.
Welded plate heat exchangers such as Packinox exchangers can be cleaned with the cleaning solution, while such a cleaning is not possible with hydrojetting.
15/10/2019 A: Mohamed Banjar, SA &PRC, banjarms@yahoo.com
The solvent oil may be admitted to the heat exchanger following withdrawal of the process fluid and then allowed to soak and dissolve the asphaltene coke precursors after which the resulting solution may be withdrawn and the exchanger returned to use without being at any time disconnected from its associated process unit.
14/10/2019 A: Mike Watson, Tube Tech International Ltd, mike.watson@tubetech.com
There are many technologies out there and we either stock and have tested every system you can find on the internet and therefore know their limitations. We develop robotics and coalitions to remove all types of fouling from all types of heat transfer asset.
But firstly you need to be clearer as to what it is you want to clean. By your question one would assume that it’s the tube side you want cleaning. But what about the Shell side ? Is it a fixed or floating head , plate design, u tube or straight, vertical or horizontal, more importantly what fouling type and characteristic. We have a 50 point questionnaire to qualify any enquiry for this reason then we advise on the best technology from the 64 cleaning systems we stock.