Fouling of power plant condensers causes significant increases in heat rate with a corresponding loss in generation. Fouling also contributes to accelerated corrosion of condenser tubes. Most utilities in the U.S. perform periodic condenser cleaning based on past practices. With few exceptions, a comprehensive evaluation of various cleaning methods is not performed by the utility prior to cleaning operations.

This paper reviews the various condenser cleaning methods available today. Pros and cons of these methods and economic justification for performing condenser cleaning are also presented.

Condenser cleaning technologies consists of mechanical and chemical methods. These technologies can be further categorized into on-line and off-line techniques.

Some of the material discussed in this paper was adapted from the proposed “EPRI Handbook on Condenser Microbiofouling Control (RP-2300-16)” and from the EPRI Manual on “Chemical Cleaning of Fossil-Fueled Steam Generation Equipment (CS-3289).”

Subject
Biofouling, Brushing, Coating removal, Water, Materials, Tubes, Walls, Solvents, Oxidizing biocides, Condensers, Deposit corrosion, Fouling, Cleaning
Keywords:
condensers, heat rate, fouling, mechanical cleaning technologies, on-line techniques, ball systems, brush and cage systems, off-line cleaning, chemical cleaning, oxidizing biocides
© 1992 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1992
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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