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Heat Exchanger Cleaning, Leak Detection & Tubesheet Coating

Tube-side and steam-side cleaning of condensers, heat exchangers and chillers; vacuum leak testing of tubes and tube joints, including tracing small leaks; and protective coating of tube ends and tubesheets.

Applying coating to a tubesheet

Cleaning. Over time, scale builds up inside the tubes and cuts heat transfer, so the tubes need regular cleaning. Instead of conventional high-pressure water jetting, we can use equipment such as Wilson rotary flexible-shaft cleaners and Conco projectile cleaning systems.

Leak detection. We test both the tubes themselves and the expanded tube-to-tubesheet joints, using vacuum leak testing equipment. Where a joint has a small leak, we can trace it and repair it.

Tubesheet coating. Coating the tube ends and tubesheet of a condenser helps reduce corrosion of the tubesheet and tube holes.

Equipment and tube materials

  • Condensers and shell-and-tube heat exchangers
  • Chillers and evaporators
  • Water-tube and fire-tube boiler tubes
  • Steam-side cleaning of condensers

Don't see your equipment here? Ask us.

Work sequence

  1. Review the equipment and its fouling or leak history
  2. Choose the cleaning method (rotary flexible-shaft, projectile, etc.)
  3. Clean and check the result
  4. Vacuum leak test; mark the leaking tubes
  5. Plug, retube or repair the joint
  6. Coat the tube ends and tubesheet if required

Schedule

Depends on equipment size, tube count, degree of fouling and site conditions.

Quality control

  • Tube condition inspected after cleaning
  • Vacuum leak test records
  • Re-test after repairs

Photos

Cleaning boiler tubes with Wilson electric and pneumatic tube cleaners (distributed by Lanbo)
Cleaning boiler tubes with Wilson electric and pneumatic tube cleaners (distributed by Lanbo)
Vacuum leak testing of tubes and tube-to-tubesheet joints
Vacuum leak testing of tubes and tube-to-tubesheet joints
Condenser leak testing: tubes and expanded tube-to-tubesheet joints
Condenser leak testing: tubes and expanded tube-to-tubesheet joints
Coating condenser tube ends to protect the tubesheet and tube holes from corrosion
Coating condenser tube ends to protect the tubesheet and tube holes from corrosion

Related projects

FAQ

Can you just clean the tubes instead of retubing?

Yes. If there are no obvious leaks and the loss of performance is down to fouling, cleaning comes first; the leak test results then show whether any tubes need plugging or replacing.

We choose the cleaning method – rotary flexible-shaft, projectile and so on – to suit the tube size, material and type of deposit.

Troubleshooting guides

Guides on the Lanbo products website, with causes, step-by-step fixes and the tools for the job.

Planning a similar job? Send us your equipment details

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