What to do if scale forms on the equipment in chemical plants

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Research data shows that scale deposits have a significant impact on heat transfer losses, and an increase in these deposits leads to higher energy costs. Even a thin layer of scale can increase the operating costs of the scaled parts of the equipment by more than 35%. Maintaining the cooling channels free of mineral deposits can significantly improve efficiency, save energy, extend the equipment’s lifespan, and help control production costs effectively. Effective solutions to water scale buildup in equipment: When water scale forms on equipment, traditional cleaning methods such as mechanical approaches (scraping, brushing), high-pressure water, and chemical cleaning (acid cleaning) present many problems. These methods fail to completely remove deposits like water scale; acids can cause corrosion in the equipment, leading to leakage points. The remaining acid can cause secondary corrosion or corrosion beneath the scale, accelerating the deterioration of the equipment. To address this issue, Intertek’s intelligent eco-friendly cleaning agent can effectively dissolve the stubborn calcium carbonate deposits in equipment. It also rapidly removes microorganisms, sludge, and metal oxides from the equipment, without causing any corrosion to the material itself. Additionally, it forms a natural anti-scaling coating that helps protect the equipment’s material over time. Here are the advantages of Intertek Smart Eco-friendly Cleaning Agent: (1) It causes no damage to equipment. Intertek does not cause corrosion to the materials of equipment in water-based operating environments; compared to the corrosion caused to equipment by other chemical cleaning agents, the corrosion rate of this product is negligible. (2) Fast and efficient. The descaling effect of Intertek cleaning agents is similar to that of coffee dissolving in water; it rapidly dissolves scale until the equipment returns to its original condition, thereby restoring its original heat exchange efficiency. Typically, the cyclic cleaning process can be completed in 4–6 hours. (3) Low maintenance costs. Intertek cleaning solution can be diluted at a ratio of 1:6 (by weight) for cleaning purposes. For typical calcium carbonate deposits, the dilution ratio for Intertek cleaning solution is 4:1 (by weight). Considering factors such as the short cleaning time of Intertek cleaning agents, their lack of corrosiveness to equipment systems, etc., the cost of using them is extremely low. (4) Easy to operate. Intertek’s intelligent eco-friendly cleaning agents can remove scale from equipment systems through methods such as online circulation, immersion, and spraying, without the need for any special equipment or systems. (5) Safety and environmental protection. Intertek cleaning agents fully meet the emission standards; they can be discharged directly into a company’s wastewater system without affecting the wastewater treatment process, thus causing no impact on the environment. (6) Wide range of applications. Intertek can be widely applied in various industries, such as industrial manufacturing, the marine industry, the food and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as the cleaning of commercial central air conditioning systems and water heaters. The materials used for cleaning equipment include carbon steel, red copper, brass, aluminum and aluminum alloys, zinc and zinc alloys (except for galvanized equipment), titanium and titanium alloys, lead and lead alloys, glass, fibers, rubber, etc. Effectiveness testing of intelligent eco-friendly cleaning agents: During the cleaning process, the effectiveness of the cleaning agent can be tested using the following two methods: (1) Direct calcium carbonate test – Take the cleaning agent in use and conduct a test with calcium carbonate. The calcium carbonate used for testing can be scale samples taken from cleaned equipment, tablets, or pure cement. Observe directly; if bubbling continues, it means the reaction is still ongoing ； If there is little bubbling, it indicates that the effect is minimal. The timing for such a test should be towards the end of the recommended cleaning time. If the cleaning agent loses its effectiveness toward the end of the recommended cleaning time, more cleaning agent should be added ； If the cleaner is still effective and the cleaning time is about to end, the cleaning process can be terminated early, the equipment can be rinsed, and the cleaning is complete. (2) pH value testing method: The initial pH value of the detergent is 1–3 (see the product’s pH value table). When testing the effectiveness of a cleaning agent using pH, tests should be conducted at equal time intervals, and the trends over time should be recorded in a chart. Since the cleaning agent may cause the pH level to rise rapidly after dissolving scale, it is best to take measurements only once or a few times at the beginning. Wait until 75% of the recommended cleaning time has passed before starting to take measurements, and then check every 10–15 minutes to observe the trend in changes. If the pH value reaches 6.0–7.0 for three consecutive times, it indicates that the cleaning agent has lost its effectiveness. If the recommended cleaning time has passed and the pH value is still below 6.0, it is necessary to check whether the equipment is clean; if it is clean, then it can be rinsed and put into operation.