I.              Why Clean Plate Heat Exchangers

1.     Reduced Heat - Transfer Efficiency

The thermal conductivity of dirt is much lower than that of metal plates. When the surface of the plates is coated with dirt, heat transfer is hindered, as if the heat exchanger is wearing an "insulating coat", resulting in a significant decline in heat - transfer efficiency. A heating system that could originally heat efficiently may fail to reach the desired indoor temperature due to dirt in the heat exchanger.

2.     Increased Energy Consumption

To maintain the heat exchange required for production, the equipment has to operate at a higher power, which undoubtedly increases energy consumption and production costs. According to statistics, the decrease in heat - transfer efficiency caused by dirt may increase energy consumption by 10% - 30%.

3.     Shortened Equipment Lifespan

The chemical substances in the dirt may corrode the plates and damage the sealing gaskets, thereby triggering failures such as leakage, which seriously affects the service life of the equipment.

II.            Preparation Work Before Cleaning

1.     Tool Preparation

Prepare disassembly tools such as wrenches and screwdrivers, cleaning tools such as soft - bristle brushes and plastic scrapers, as well as chemical cleaning equipment such as cleaning tanks and circulating pumps.

2.     Protective Equipment

To ensure the safety of cleaning personnel, protective gloves, goggles, work clothes and other protective equipment should be equipped.

3.     Selection of Cleaning Agents

Select appropriate cleaning agents according to the material of the plate heat exchanger and the type of dirt. If it is scale, acidic cleaning agents can be used; if it is oil dirt, alkaline cleaning agents are more suitable. At the same time, ensure that the cleaning agent is non - corrosive to the plates and sealing gaskets.

III.         Detailed Cleaning Steps

1.     Disassemble the Heat Exchanger

Carefully loosen the clamping bolts and remove the plate pack from the frame. Note that during the disassembly process, handle it with care to avoid damaging the plates and sealing gaskets.

2.     Mechanical Cleaning

Use a soft - bristle brush and clean water to carefully scrub the surface of the plates to remove dirt and impurities. For stubborn dirt, a plastic scraper can be used to gently scrape, but be careful not to scratch the surface of the plates.

3.     Chemical Cleaning

Immerse the plates in the prepared cleaning solution, or adopt a circulating cleaning method to make the cleaning solution circulate between the plates. During the cleaning process, control the temperature, concentration and time of the cleaning solution. Generally, the temperature is between 40 - 60°C, the concentration is prepared according to the instructions of the cleaning agent, and the time is 1 - 3 hours.

4.     Rinsing

After cleaning, rinse the plates with a large amount of clean water to ensure that the cleaning agent and dirt are completely removed.

5.     Assembly and Testing

Re - assemble the cleaned plates onto the frame in sequence and tighten the clamping bolts. After assembly, conduct a hydraulic pressure test to check for any leakage.

IV.         Cleaning Precautions

1.     Safety First

During the cleaning process, strictly abide by the safety operation procedures and avoid contact between the cleaning agent and the skin and eyes. Once contact occurs, immediately rinse with a large amount of clean water and seek medical attention in a timely manner.

2.     Protect the Plates and Sealing Gaskets

Whether it is mechanical cleaning or chemical cleaning, pay attention to avoiding damage to the plates and sealing gaskets, so as not to affect the performance of the heat exchanger.

3.     Regular Cleaning

To ensure the efficient and stable operation of the plate heat exchanger, regular cleaning is recommended, generally once every 1 - 2 years, and the specific time can be determined according to the actual use situation.