How to clean your plate heat exchanger to keep it looking its best?
Ways To Clean A Plate Heat Exchanger
Compared to shell and tube heat exchangers, plate heat exchangers have grown in popularity over the past few decades. Generally speaking, plate heat exchangers have higher heat exchange efficiency and take up less space. These factors have helped spark brewery interest in plate heat exchangers as an alternative to shell and tube heat exchangers. There are two ways to clean a plate heat exchanger: cleaning in place (done by circulating chemicals through the channels of the plate heat exchanger) or manual cleaning (removing the plates from the frame and cleaning the plates individually using a pressurized water gun).
CIP Cleaning Method
This method allows a chemical solution to be circulated through the heat exchanger to dissolve and remove fouling from the surface of the plate. This method eliminates the need to separate the heat exchanger, simplifies the cleaning process, and reduces cleaning labor. Chemical cleaning is ideal because the corrugated plates clean turbulent liquids and help dissolve scale.
CIP cleaning method is a combination of time, temperature, and concentration. CIP systems provide chemical and mechanical cleaning of heat exchangers. If the brewery equipment prohibits CIP, the operator must perform manual cleaning.
CIP cleaning of heat exchangers typically includes the following objectives:
Clean lime deposits.
Passivate the surface to reduce corrosion susceptibility.
Neutralize cleaning chemicals before draining.
Advantages of chemical cleaning with CIP:
Faster cleaning process.
Low labor intensity.
Components that cannot be cleaned by mechanical cleaning can be cleaned.
Operators typically follow these four steps in the chemical cleaning process at CIP:
Alkaline Cleaning: Removes build-up of organic matter.
Rinsing: Usually done with a high-flow water rinser to remove loose debris and residual residue from the alkaline step.
Pickling: Helps to dissolve and soften soiled materials at a deeper level.
Final Rinse: Finally rinse the plate heat exchanger with clean water.
Top 10 Tips For Keeping Your Plate Heat Exchanger In Top Condition
Ensure that operating conditions (temperature and flow) meet design specifications.
Vent the heat exchanger at start-up, but open and close the valve slowly to avoid pressure fluctuations and water hammer.
Use upstream filters and strainers to remove particulate fouling and protect the heat exchanger.
Check daily for any changes in temperature, pressure, and any signs of external leaks.
Regularly keep the fastening bolts clean and well lubricated.
Use condition detection technology to avoid opening the plate heat exchanger for inspection.
Use clean-in-place (CIP) to avoid the need to open the heat exchanger for cleaning.
Always keep spare equipment clean and dry. If the heat exchanger is out of service, flush it with fresh water and drain it completely.
Protect the heat exchanger from water splashes and avoid exposure to UV rays and ozone normally generated by the power supply.
Only use original spare parts for plate heat exchangers to ensure equipment performance, reliability, and equipment life. Also, keep important spare parts in stock and follow storage instructions.
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