The important role of industrial endoscopes in the routine maintenance of heat exchangers

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With the **rapid economic development, continuous improvement in people’s living standards, and rising demands for comfortable living conditions, ventilation and air conditioning systems are being used more and more frequently in people’s daily lives. How to ensure the stability of air conditioning and heat exchange equipment, prevent problems before they occur, and at the same time minimize maintenance costs by formulating targeted plans in advance. A heat exchanger contains hundreds of pipes, and during normal operation, due to differences in the treatment of the fluid and variations in pressure, these pipes are constantly subjected to the dual threats of stress and liquid corrosion. The stress generated usually leads to twisting and deformation of the pipeline as well as its rupture, while corrosion compromises the seal integrity of the pipeline, causing internal leaks. The direct consequence is the accidental entry of the cooling fluid (water or other liquids) into the heat exchange or refrigeration system, which damages the refrigeration components (especially the compressor) or causes the heat exchange equipment to fail; this ultimately leads to the destruction of the equipment, rendering it unusable and resulting in significant losses and waste. The condition of the internal pipes in heat exchange or refrigeration equipment directly determines the stability of its operation. However, with routine maintenance, we are unable to check the condition of the internal pipes in heat exchange or refrigeration equipment. Now, we use a non-destructive testing method that relies on advanced technological equipment – industrial endoscopes – to conduct rapid and effective inspections of the internal systems within the equipment’s pipelines. It determines whether the equipment is operating stably at relatively low maintenance costs, thereby reducing the high expenses associated with repairs and replacements after the equipment is damaged. The method of industrial endoscope inspection involves inserting the probe into the pipeline system, and using the camera at its tip to examine the side walls of the pipes, as well as take photographs and videos of them ； The captured images are processed by an image processor and then displayed on a screen; by magnifying the view, the exact location of the faulty area can be identified, thereby allowing for an accurate assessment of the device’s internal condition and enabling timely determination of maintenance actions. Identify potential fault risks and types, such as wear, corrosion, cracking, and foreign objects inside and outside the pipes. Then, analysis reports and improvement suggestions are provided to identify potential faults or signs of degradation before irreversible serious failures occur, thereby enabling targeted solutions to be developed and maintenance costs to be reduced. The main advantages of using industrial endoscopes are: 1. Non-destructive testing – for equipment, it allows inspection as the fluid flows in, with no damage being caused. 2. Preventive testing: It involves checking the operating condition of equipment in advance, similar to a health check-up for humans. 3. Visualization, similar to the imaging techniques used in medicine, allows for a clear assessment of the condition of the copper tubes within heat exchange and refrigeration equipment. 4. Portable mobile detection, convenient and flexible.