Abstract
During normal plant operations, scale buildup and fouling deposits may become major operating concerns. Manual removal of these deposits in a confined space can drastically increase both cleaning time and chances of injury to personnel. A confined space is defined as an area having a constricted atmosphere and/or limited access.1 Because confined areas can be difficult and costly to isolate from operating systems, many conventional cleaning techniques cannot be used. Developed and proven RotoJet® cleaning tool procedures have eliminated many of these impediments while improving the efficiency and safety of the cleaning operation. Using high- pressure water to cut through and dislodge fouling deposits allows debris to be flushed from the process equipment as a continuous cleaning operation. The automated cleaning tool (Figure 1) does not require an operator to be close to the high-pressure jets. Balanced-thrust design allows higher pressures and fluid volumes to be focused on the deposits than can be accomplished using manual water blasting techniques. Field experience has shown that cleaning in a confined space with high-pressure fluids and automated tools is now practical and efficient.
