Dry Ice Blasting for Safe & Effective Fin Fan Tube Cleaning
Fin fan tubes are essential equipment for power plants, petrochemical plants and oil refineries, but they pose a challenge when it comes to keeping them clean and operating at peak efficiency.
Their outdoor location leaves fin fan tubes constantly exposed to the elements. Layers of grime and buildup that accumulate can reduce their efficiency over time.
Positioned above or below large fans to help dissipate heat by pulling in ambient air, fin fan tubes are critical components of cooling systems, but when they’re dirty the efficiency of the heat transfer process is reduced and process overheating can occur.
Regular cleaning is ideal for peak efficiency, but it’s not a job for ordinary methods.
Challenges of Traditional Cleaning Methods
Fin fan tube cleaning involves tight spaces and delicate equipment. Traditional cleaning methods often fall short, while also introducing significant complications and downtime.
Hydroblasting & Chemical Foam
Thin metal fins can be bent and damaged by the force of hydroblasting. Water-based cleaning also requires greater downtime with more of the system shut-down to prevent water damage, in addition to requiring the use of water and chemicals (many plants are trying to reduce their water consumption). Hydroblasting is also less effective in reaching confined spaces within complex tube configurations. In some cases, hydroblasting can only clean from the top down, leaving bottom sections out of reach.
Manual Cleaning
While certainly an option, manual or hand cleaning is substantially slower and ineffective for hard-to-reach areas. While sometimes used for delicate parts, manual cleaning is labor-intensive and limited to accessible areas, leaving much of the buildup in more intricate equipment untouched.
How Dry Ice Blasting Cleans Fin Fan Tubes
Dry ice blasting provides gentler and more effective cleaning for fin fan tubes. Advantages include:
Gentle, Adjustable Force
The process uses an adjustable nozzle and customized pressure, gentle enough for thin aluminum fins, but effective in removing dirt and other contaminants.
No Secondary Waste
Dry ice blasting uses CO₂ pellets that sublimate on impact, transitioning directly from solid to gas. The process leaves behind no collateral media.
Water & Chemical Free
A water-free and chemical-free process, dry ice blasting dramatically simplifies the cleaning process, eliminating the messy job of reclaiming and disposing of contaminated water. It also eliminates the corrosion and electrical risks that the introduction of water carries.
Enhanced Heat Transfer
Regular cleaning with dry ice restores the optimal heat transfer capacity of the tubes, improving overall system efficiency and reducing energy consumption of the equipment.
Minimal Downtime
The no-mess effectiveness of dry ice blasting means reduced downtime and minimal disruption to plant operations.
Safety & Accessibility
Polar Clean’s technicians undergo extensive training and certification processes that leave them well prepared for complex and difficult cleaning projects, including projects that require working at heights, in confined spaces, and with supplied air. Our team employs advanced safety protocols and equipment to ensure the job is done efficiently and safely, regardless of site conditions.
Applications in Petrochemical & Refinery Sectors
Our dry ice blasting services are tailored to meet the needs of the petrochemical and refinery industries, offering solutions for:
- Convection Sections
- Radiant Sections
- Fin Fan/Air Cooled Heat Exchanger Tubes
- Reactors, and more
Choose Polar Clean for Superior Results
With decades of experience in cleaning delicate, complex and hard-to-reach equipment, the Polar Clean team works with you to determine the right blasting solution for your needs. From fin fan tubes to reactors and more, our processes are designed to get results with minimal downtime and maximum efficiency. In addition to dry ice blasting, we provide an array of other solutions, including abrasive blasting and sponge blasting that can be used separately or in combination with dry ice blasting when more abrasive force is needed.
Reach out to our team to learn more about our solutions for your cleaning challenges.