New pipe-cleaning system for boilers increases efficiency and safety
A Dutch-French partnership under the umbrella of a EUREKA project has developed an innovative method for boiler cleaning that eliminates both the danger and the downtime when cleaning steam boiler systems. Fire tube steam boilers are still widely used by industry as steam remains one of the best ways of transferring heat at a constant temperature. The system works as follows: hot gases travel through tubes or pipes placed in water, and their heat is transferred to the water surrounding the pipes. The disadvantage is that using heavy or solid fuels such as coal or biomass to heat the gases causes the boiler pipes to clog up and become dirty. The clogging reduces the boiler's efficiency, and can even stop it working completely. Cleaning the boilers is a time-consuming task, involving the cleaning of over 100 pipes. A long brush is used to scrape out each pipe by hand, exposing the cleaner to the residue of noxious and hot gases in the tubes, and putting the boiler out of action. The new system continuously monitors the boiler's performance and automatically starts a cleaning cycle when necessary. It does this by checking the gas temperature inside the pipes, which changes when pipes are dirty or clogged. When the temperature reaches a certain level, a heat-resistant mechanical arm systematically inserts a brush into each pipe and cleans it while the boiler is still in operation. A number of industrial plants have already installed the new system. It has been granted a European patent, and a worldwide patent is pending. Enno Nuy, Director of the Dutch partner Optimum Environmental Technologies believes that there is enormous potential for exploiting the system outside of Europe as well: 'In China, the majority of boilers are fire tube boilers using coal. It's a very relevant market for us.' French project partner Maguin estimates that in north-west Europe alone, at least 150 boilers per year will be equipped with the new automatic pipe cleaning system (APCS). In other parts of the world, the market potential is estimated to be at least 750 pieces every year.
Countries
Netherlands