Conference Dates

July 1-6, 2007

First Page

450

Abstract

Automatic cleaning of heat exchangers and condensers tubes by means of sponge balls is well known since the early fifties, with expanding application from steam power plants to process industry to industrial cooling and air conditioning systems. Main benefits bottom-lined in cost savings are generally considered as: elimination of maintenance down-time and need for chemical and more efficient operation of process and plant. This paper presents the performance and benefits of an Automatic Tube Cleaning System (ATCS) implementations, in a hydrogen sulfide retrieval Monoethanolamine treatment Plant in Paz Ashdod Refinery, one of the two refineries in Israel. Patented by CQM for the balls injection and trapping methods, their unique operation benefits are revealed and resulting O&M cost savings are evaluated in detail. The paper concludes by presenting the main costs of heat exchanger fouling and discusses how heat exchanger fouling mitigation meets the main goals of global energy efficiency.

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