Fire-tube boilers

Fire-tube boilers are widely used in heating and industrial process systems, where hot gases pass through tubes to heat water or generate steam. Over time, these boilers will accumulate soot, scale, and other deposits on the tube surfaces, leading to reduced heat transfer efficiency and increased fuel consumption. Routine cleaning and maintenance are essential to maintain reliable operation, optimize energy efficiency, and extend the operational lifespan of the boiler.

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Solutions for cleaning fire-tube boilers

Boiler tube cleaning

Tube and chemical cleaning systems for fire-tube boilers, effectively removing fouling from both inner and outer tube surfaces.

Fouling issues of fire-tube boilers

Regular cleaning and maintenance of fire-tube boilers is important to maintain a highly efficient system. Especially the inner side of the fire-tubes can become quite fouled when not cleaned preventively. In most cases, fire-tube boilers require a full tube cleaning every 6-8 weeks of operation, depending on the type. Deposit build-up within the tubes can lead to lower heat transfer, increased fuel consumption and overheating or damage to the boiler tubes.

Fouling buildup: Depending on the type of boiler system and which media is used to create the fire, but usually it will be: ash, dust, soot, rust and scaling.

Effects of fouling in fire-tube boilers

Fouling in fire-tube boilers can have several significant effects on system performance. Four of the biggest effects include:

Reduced heat transfer efficiency: Fouling creates an insulating layer on the tube surfaces, which impedes the efficient transfer of heat from the combustion gases to the water. This forces the boiler to consume more fuel to maintain the desired temperature, increasing the operating costs.
Increased fuel consumption: As the heat transfer becomes less efficient due to fouling, more fuel is required to generate the same amount of heat, increasing energy costs and reducing overall boiler efficiency.
Overheating and tube damage: The insulating effect of fouling can cause localized overheating of the boiler tubes. This can weaken the metal, leading to tube damage, thinning, or even rupture, which could result in costly repairs and potential system failures.
Decreased operational lifespan: Continuous fouling and the associated thermal stresses can shorten the overall lifespan of a fire-tube boiler. The need for more frequent maintenance and repairs due to fouling can lead to higher long-term maintenance costs and unscheduled downtime.

Scale accumulation on outer tube side

Not only the inner side of fire-tube boilers can become fouled, but the outer side is also prone to deposit buildup. The outer surfaces of the tubes, exposed to heat and external water or steam conditions, can experience scale accumulation as well. This is particularly common in systems where the water treatment plan is inadequate or where the quality of the feedwater is poor.

When minerals like calcium and magnesium are present in high concentrations in the water, they can precipitate out and form scale deposits when heated. Scale buildup on the outer surfaces of fire-tube boilers can lead to several negative effects.

Reduces heat transfer efficiency – Scale acts like insulation, blocking heat from transferring properly. This makes the boiler use more fuel, increasing operating costs.
Causes overheating and damage – Scale can make parts of the boiler overheat, leading to cracks, distortion, or even rupture. This weakens the boiler and results in expensive repairs and downtime.
Leads to corrosion – Trapped moisture under the scale can cause rust, weakening the metal and reducing the boiler’s lifespan. Frequent maintenance and part replacements become necessary.

Improve fire-tube boiler efficiency

Cleaning boiler fire-tubes is a crucial activity to maintain a highly efficient system. Goodway Benelux offers two (2) types of cleaning solutions for removing fouling with boiler fire-tubes. Based on the application, type of deposit and accessability one of the two systems will be the best solution.

Mechanical cleaning with rotating brushes: Perfect for removing commonly found deposits within fire-tube boilers such as: soot, ash, dust, light scaling and rust.
Chemical cleaning-in-place: Ideal for removing rust and hard scaling deposits on the outer side of the tubes. A descaling agent is circulated over the tubes for a predetermined period, thereby removing the deposits.

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Fire-tube boilers

From pre-sales inquiries to technical support, Goodway Benelux is available to assist customers at every stage. The company also provides on-site support, training, and product demonstrations. Their dedicated sales representatives and project engineers are ready to answer questions and provide guidance throughout the entire process.

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