Boiler tube cleaning

Fouling severely reduces heat transfer efficiency, leading to increased fuel consumption, higher stack temperatures, and the risk of boiler overheating and tube failure.

In cases of severe deposits within the tubes, Goodway Benelux recommends a two-step cleaning process. First, the bulk of the deposits is removed using flex hub scraper tools. Afterwards, nylon abrasive brushes are used to remove any remaining fouling and provide a slight polishing effect, ensuring optimal cleaning results.

Yes, Goodway® equipment is highly effective for fully blocked boiler tubes because its rotary cleaning systems utilize flexible shafts and tools like scrapers and cutting heads to physically drill through and break up hard deposits. The flex hub centrifugal scraper is particularly effective at removing hard deposits and opening up blocked tubes. Therefore, this is the most frequently sold tool for heavy-duty tube cleaning jobs, especially for boiler firetubes.

Mechanical cleaning is generally safe for boiler firetubes because of the larger wall thickness sizes and stronger tube materials. After having sold hundreds of boiler tube cleaning packages and training customers on site, Goodway Benelux has never received complaints regarding tube scratchings after cleaning.

To correctly clean boiler firetubes, you need; a tube cleaning machine, flexible shaft for dry tube cleaning, heavy-duty tools to remove hard deposits and opening up blocked tubes, and cleaning brushes. Furthermore, a powerful vacuum with accessories can be added for simultaneous removal of the loosened soot or scale to ensure a complete cleaning and removal of deposits.

Yes, all Goodway® tube cleaners are equipped with water couplings for wet tube cleaning, but can also be used for dry operation.

To select the correct brush size, you must first accurately determine the tube inner diameter. Then, choose a brush that will continuously stay in touch with the tube wall, that usually means a slightly oversized brush. Nylon abrasive brushes are generally sized slightly larger to maximize contact and effectively remove hardened deposits.

Tube cleaning brushes and tools have different lifetimes. Depending on various factors such as; type and severity of fouling, length of the tube, tube material, and more. Rough estimates for nylon abrasive brushes are 20-40 tubes per brush. While tools, such as the flex hub, can be used for a longer period of time. Replacing the blades is important, once the tool start to become blunt or less effective. Always monitor the performance after each tube to determine if a brush or tool needs replacement.

A full cool-down is mandatory before boiler tube cleaning, required for safety reasons (including lockout/tagout) and to protect your equipment. Specifically, black cleaning shafts cannot tolerate temperatures exceeding 149 degrees Celsius, making the cool-down essential to prevent tool damage.

Goodway® equipment works by means of rotation, which allows for a wider range of cleaning applications and possibilities. For example, abrasive nylon brushes can be used to remove softer, light layers of deposits. While more agressive tools such as the flex hub scrapers can be used to remove hard deposits, even opening up blocked tubes. All this can be done with the same equipment, just chaning out the brushes for different tools. This versatility means that the equipment can be used for nearly any situation, both preventive and reactive cleanings. That is where the equipment excells compared to other techniques, such as automatic brush cleaning systems.

Although Goodway® offers specialized equipment for hazardous locations, such as certain industrial vacuums, their standard boiler tube cleaning machines are not ATEX-certified. For use in an ATEX zone, you must select a model that is explicitly certified for the specific hazard classification.