How to maintain flue gas plate heat exchanger？

Flue gas plate heat exchanger (flue gas plate heat exchanger) is an efficient heat exchange equipment in industrial applications, but regular maintenance is essential to ensure its long-term stable operation. Good maintenance can not only extend the service life of the equipment, but also ensure heat exchange efficiency and reduce maintenance costs. The following are the maintenance points and some suggestions for flue gas plate heat exchanger:

1. Check the heat exchange efficiency regularly

1.1. Check the heat exchange effect: Monitor the heat exchange effect of the flue gas heat exchanger, especially whether the heat exchange efficiency decreases during use. This is usually determined by measuring the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet fluids.

1.2. Cleaning and filtration: The fluid channel in the plate heat exchanger may affect the heat exchange effect due to the accumulation of scale or sediment. Regularly check the flow channel inside the heat exchanger to ensure that there are no impurities or scale layers.

 

2. Cleaning and maintenance

2.1. Regular cleaning: Determine the frequency of cleaning according to the concentration of pollutants such as dust and acidic substances in the flue gas. The cleaning cycle is usually 6 months to one year, but if the exhaust gas contains more solid particles or corrosive substances, more frequent cleaning may be required.

2.2. Cleaning method: Common cleaning methods include water flushing, chemical cleaning and ultrasonic cleaning. The specific method to be selected depends on the type of dirt and the degree of contamination.

2.3. Chemical cleaning: For severe scaling or corrosion, special chemical cleaning fluids can be used. When using, choose the appropriate chemical agent according to the material of the plate to prevent damage to the plate heat exchanger.

3. Check seals and gaskets

3.1. Gasket inspection: The sealing of the flue gas plate exchanger mainly depends on the gasket. Regularly check whether the gasket is aging, damaged or loses elasticity to ensure that no leakage occurs. The damage of the gasket will cause leakage of fluid inside and outside the heat exchanger, which will affect the normal operation of the equipment.

3.2. Replace gaskets: If the gasket is found to be worn or failed, it should be replaced in time. It is usually recommended to check the status of the gasket once a year and replace it if necessary.

4. Check the structure and connection parts

4.1. Check the plate and bracket: Regularly check whether the plate has cracks, corrosion or deformation, and check whether the bracket and connector are loose. Uneven force on the plate or loose bracket may cause equipment failure or affect the heat exchange effect.

4.2. Check welding points: welding points are important connection parts of flue gas plate exchangers. It is necessary to regularly check whether there are cracks or water leakage at the welding points to avoid equipment damage due to these problems.

5. Monitor system pressure

5.1. Pressure monitoring: The inlet and outlet pressures of the flue gas plate exchanger should be within the design range during operation. Too high or too low pressure may indicate that there is a problem with the equipment. Check the pressure gauge regularly to ensure that it is working properly. If an abnormality is found, it should be stopped and checked immediately to prevent the equipment from being damaged due to pressure problems.

5.2. Gas flow check: The flow sensor also needs to be calibrated regularly to ensure that the flow of the system is consistent with the design requirements to avoid affecting the heat exchange effect due to unstable flow.

 

6. Prevent corrosion

Corrosion monitoring: Flue gas plate exchangers work in high temperature and high corrosion environments, and long-term use may cause corrosion. In particular, acidic gases (such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) have a more serious erosion on metal materials. Regularly check whether there are signs of corrosion on the surface of the equipment, and take anti-corrosion measures if necessary, such as coating and using corrosion-resistant materials.

7. Check the external environment

7.1. Flue gas temperature monitoring: The temperature of flue gas before and after entering the heat exchanger should be kept within the normal range. Excessive flue gas temperature may cause the heat exchanger to overload and shorten its service life. Therefore, monitor the temperature of flue gas regularly to avoid exceeding the design range of the equipment.

7.2. Cooling water monitoring: If the flue gas plate heat exchanger is connected to the cooling water system, check the water quality, flow rate and temperature of the cooling water to avoid affecting the heat exchange effect due to poor water quality or insufficient flow rate.

 

8. Regular professional inspection and maintenance

8.1. Professional inspection: It is recommended to arrange a professional to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the flue gas plate heat exchanger once a year, especially the structure, sealing, heat exchange efficiency and other aspects of the plate heat exchanger to ensure that the equipment is in the best working condition.

8.2. Record maintenance log: For all inspections and maintenance work, it is best to establish a detailed maintenance log to track the operating status of the equipment and find potential problems.

9. Prevent freezing in winter

Anti-freezing measures: If the flue gas plate heat exchanger is used in a cold environment, care should be taken to prevent the cooling water or heat exchange medium from freezing at low temperatures. Especially in winter or cold areas, ensure that the equipment is not affected by low temperatures to avoid damage to the equipment due to freezing.

 

10. Prevent system blockage

Check the fluid flow channel: Regularly check whether the flow channel of the flue gas plate exchanger is blocked, especially if the flue gas contains a lot of dust or other particulate matter. Blockage will cause unstable flow, which will affect the heat exchange effect and may cause the equipment to overheat or malfunction.

 

11. Maintenance frequency recommendations:

Monthly inspection: Check operating parameters such as temperature, pressure, flow, etc. to ensure the normal operation of the equipment.

Quarterly inspection: Check the integrity of plates, gaskets, and welded parts to check for corrosion or wear.

Annual cleaning: Perform deep cleaning, including chemical cleaning and water flushing, check gaskets, seals, equipment structure, etc., and perform necessary replacement and maintenance.

12. Summary:

The maintenance of the flue gas plate exchanger is the key to ensure its long-term stable operation. Regular inspection, cleaning and replacement of damaged parts can significantly improve heat exchange efficiency, extend service life and reduce the occurrence of failures. By strictly following the equipment manual for daily maintenance and regular inspections, it can ensure that the equipment is always in the best operating state, reduce energy consumption, and improve economic benefits.

 

Related Links:

How to make a flue gas plate heat exchanger

Application of flue gas PHE in thermal power generation industry

The benefits of plate heat exchangers in steel enterprises