How to Remove Water-Cooled Condenser Scale?

01 Apr.,2024

 

Many refrigeration units are water-cooled, and the internal tube wall of the water-cooled condenser is easy to scale, which will affect the heat exchange effect and lead to the higher condensing temperature of the unit, which in turn leads to lower refrigeration capacity and increased power consumption of the unit.


Water-cooled condensers should be cleared of scale frequently, at least once every six months (depending on the local water quality and scale formation). There are many ways to remove the scale, and the water-cooled condenser supplier introduces two methods for the condenser of water-cooled compression condensing unit: chemical cleaning and physical cleaning.


1.Checking the scaling situation

Condenser scale usually has the following kinds of performance. You can't see the original color of the copper tube, the scale has been very serious, and need to be timely cleaning treatment.


The main reason for the formation of scale is cooling water in the form of calcium, and magnesium ions in the heat of salt crystallization and condensation in the inner wall of the copper tube; metal oxidation products of the system pipeline; bacteria and algae breeding slime and so on.


2. The chemical cleaning method

Use the cleaning solution for cleaning, first with an acid solution for cleaning, and then neutralize the cleaning with alkali solution, and finally rinse with water to rinse the acid and alkali solution clean.


The cleaning solution can be added to a certain proportion of the cooling water system, turn on the cooling pump cycle 12 to 24 hours, the cleaning solution is constantly circulating, and the sediment layer is constantly dissolved and off by the chemical action of the cleaning solution and scouring effect. However, this method requires a large amount of cleaning solution, the cost is high.


For single condenser cleaning, you can connect the circulation pump and pipeline between the cleaning reservoir and the condenser to form a closed circuit, so that the cleaning fluid is continuously circulated for 12~24 hours to dissolve and dislodge the deposits.


Using immersion type. The cleaning solution is blended in a certain proportion, added to the condenser and left to stand for 5~10 hours to soften and dissolve the deposits, drain the cleaning solution, and flush with water.

 

  • Advantages of chemical cleaning: thorough descaling; save labor.

  • Disadvantages of chemical cleaning: it may cause corrosion to the condenser copper tube; the problem of discharging the waste liquid after cleaning; higher cost of pharmaceuticals.


Chemical cleaning must pay attention to the ratio of the solution as well as the circulation and soaking time to prevent the condenser from being corroded.


3. Physical cleaning method

The physical cleaning method is the use of flexible shaft brush cleaning. The flexible shaft is driven by the motor of the cleaning machine rotation, the most front of the flexible shaft has a nylon brush, the use of flexible shaft and brush into the condenser copper tube, through high-speed rotation forward brush to remove the dirt in the copper tube, and finally rinsed with water.

 

  • The advantages of physical cleaning: the cost of chemical cleaning agents is eliminated; the problem of waste liquid discharge or treatment after chemical cleaning is avoided; it is not easy to cause corrosion of the condenser copper tube.


  • Disadvantages of physical cleaning: for the bonded hard scale and corrosion products, the physical cleaning effect is not good; the cleaning operation is more labor-intensive.


For the case of hard bonding, it is recommended to use a combination of chemical cleaning and physical cleaning. First soak the condenser with a cleaning solution, to be softened the bond, the physical cleaning method to remove the scale, and finally rinse with water.


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