Even deposits in graphite tube bundle heat exchangers are no challenge for the TubeMaster system
Kipp Umwelttechnik cleans tube bundle heat exchangers with accessible front sides using the TubeMaster system. TubeMaster can be used manually or automatically for inner tube diameters of 2-125 mm. TubeMaster works with a closed system. Residues discharged from the pipes are collected and filtered out.
Image: Cleaning a graphite tube bundle heat exchanger
In addition to cleaning the inner tube, TubeMaster can also polish the inner tube surfaces. This ensures an improved flow rate and an improved temperature transition. Experience has shown that this can also significantly reduce cleaning intervals. Kipp Umwelttechnik uses TubeMaster for cleaning and internal polishing of tubes made of almost all materials. TubeMaster cleans without water and is therefore very suitable for cleaning tube bundle heat exchangers in desulphurization systems for gas or oil. Kipp Umwelttechnik has experience in cleaning pipes made of almost all materials.
A special case is the cleaning of graphite tube bundle heat exchangers. Cleaning with high-pressure water is rarely effective here, as the pipes cannot withstand higher pressures. The incrustations to be removed from the inner pipe surfaces are usually much harder than the pipe material. High-pressure water cleaning with pressures of 20 to 50 bar is usually not sufficient for cleaning.
Image: Graphite tube bundle heat exchanger before and after cleaning
The incrustations must be removed without damaging / roughening the inner pipe surfaces. Kipp Umwelttechnik uses the TubeMaster system from its sister company mycon for this area of work. Specially developed nozzles and special blasting/abrasive agents are used to clean graphite heat exchangers. Kipp Umwelttechnik uses cryogenic soft blasting media to remove viscous residues. This increases the polishing effect on the inner walls of the pipe.
The incrustations are removed layer by layer down to the pipe material. The surface quality of the inner pipe walls is also improved. This area of work requires a great deal of experience and highly qualified employees. To prevent damage, the cleaning work is constantly monitored using an endoscope or pipe camera.
The Hamburg Borsigstraße waste incineration plant commissioned Kipp Umwelttechnik to clean three graphite tube bundle heat exchangers. The work was successfully completed within four working days without any damage to the pipes. The exchangers were then immediately put back into operation.
From the interview with Ms. Dipl.-Ing. Bürkle/ MVB:
“Kipp Umwelttechnik had already successfully cleaned a graphite exchanger for us at the company site in 2003 using a cryogenic soft blasting agent. Kipp Umwelttechnik has now cleaned three exchangers of different sizes at our company for the first time. The inner diameters of the tubes are 37 mm and 25 mm respectively. The hard deposits in the exchangers varied in thickness, from approx. 1 mm to thicker incrustations over almost the entire cross-sectional area. Kipp Umwelttechnik was able to clean all exchangers completely and without damage, and the surface quality of the inner pipes was improved after cleaning. The cleaning was carried out professionally using a closed system including exhaust air purification. Despite the challenging spatial conditions, the cleaning was completed within the specified time frame.”
Image source: Kipp Umwelttechnik GmbH /mycon GmbH
