Boiler acid cleaning & descaling services
What is acid cleaning & descaling?
Acid cleaning and descaling is a process in which acidic solutions are used to clean corrosion products from the internal components of a hot water system, most commonly: Boilers.
What causes these systems to need to be cleaned?
In a boiler, minerals within the water - mainly iron oxides (rust), magnesium, and calcium hydroxide (lime) - can settle onto the inner surfaces creating what is referred to as ‘scale’. If the boiler water is of the wrong chemistry, the high pressure, and high-temperature environment that a boiler produces causes scale to accumulate at a rapid rate. (This also makes the boiler itself quite hazardous to continue to operate.) As this scale continues to accumulate around the tubes within the boiler it acts as a natural insulator which prevents the burner’s heat from transferring to the water around the boiler tubes. This decrease in heat transfer at the tubes leads to higher boiler flue temperatures and less energy transfer for the amount of fuel used. Over time if left unchecked, you will notice fuel costs rise for equal to less performance output from your boiler.
is acid cleaning limited to boilers?
Unfortunately, the issue of scale buildup isn’t solely limited to boilers. Hard water scale can also occur in all forms of various water-based equipment from heat exchangers to cooling towers, and even basic pipework. No matter the system, the result of scale is the same: it reduces the energy efficiency of the equipment it inhabits. So what’s the solution? The best way to resolve scale deposit buildup is to utilize acid-cleaning services from an experienced professional.
When should a system be acid cleaned?
Boilers
Usually, a state boiler inspector conducting the annual inspection will let you know when a boiler requires an acid cleaning and descaling. This could also mean that the boiler has been deemed unsafe for operation till the acid cleaning has removed the scale buildup within the boiler. Other than an inspector, maintenance personnel might take it upon themselves to call for an acid clean after scale deposits and/or fuel efficiency inconsistencies are noticed.
Heat Exchangers
Heat exchangers have such small passages for flow that they can easily become restricted/blocked by even slight scale buildup. It might also be noticed that the pipe pressure has dropped uncharacteristically and/or a reduction in heat transfer efficiency has been observed. Due to the small passageways, acid cleaning should be carried out as soon as these above-mentioned symptoms are noticed, as once the passages become completely blocked it will be unrealistic to circulate acid through the heat exchanger.
Boiler acid cleaning & DESCALING services WITH ATOM CHEMICAL
When you’re mixing, transporting, circulating, and removing hazardous corrosive chemicals such as acid, experience is a must. Atom Chemical has 30 years of acid-cleaning experience. Our 24/7 emergency acidizing service has grown to be the leading provider in the region due in part to our immediate response, effective treatment practices, and knowledgable, hardworking crews.
CONTACT US
Atom Chemical
525 Maplewood Boulevard Georgetown, Indiana 47122
8:00am–4:30pm
(812) 949-2866
Monday–Friday
ashleyandres@atomchemical.com
