# 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.

**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.

## Scope

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

## Work steps

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

## Duration

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

## 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.

## Related projects

- [Luoyuan Bay Unit 2, Fuzhou: Condenser Steam-side Cleaning, Titanium Tubing & Welding](https://www.heatexchangersolution.com/en/projects/fuzhou-luoyuanwan-condenser/)

Web page: https://www.heatexchangersolution.com/en/services/heat-exchanger-cleaning/

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Contact Lanbo: +86 136 3706 9797 · Lanbo@hflanbo.com.cn · https://www.heatexchangersolution.com/en/contact/