Curran International offers a wide range of heat exchanger cleaning methods such as mechanical, (i.e., scrapers, scrubbers, and plastic bullets) as well as our patented grit blast cleaning method. Our grit blast cleaning services are well suited to top applications where the contaminant is hard, such as calcite or when NDE services such as eddy current or remote field testing will be employed.

The steam condenser plays a critical role in the overall performance of all modern steam generated power stations. The main purpose of a steam condenser is to condense the exhausted steam from the low-pressure turbine and convert it into water/condensate, which in turn will be reused in the boiler as feedwater. Additionally, the condensing equipment also functions to provide a “cold source” in the steam turbine thermo-dynamic Rankine cycle.

A power plant steam condenser is among the biggest contributors to a power plant’s overall efficiency. Condenser cleanliness is imperative to power plant performance; scaled or fouled condenser tubes also result in poor performance, and can lead to under deposit corrosion.

Contaminants that are introduced into the condensate system from the cooling water system via tube leaks can lead to a significant boiler and or steam turbine damage.

Furthermore, a dirty and inefficient condenser will raise plant heat rate, resulting in huge losses of generation revenue. In severe cases, poor operating conditions in the condenser can reduce the generating capacity of a unit by more than half.

A clean and efficient condenser will consume less fuel to maintain the required generating output.

Many factors such as the type of contaminant, operating environment, and frequency of cleaning will dictate the appropriate method that should be employed to adequately clean the tubes within your condenser. Conventional methods for cleaning scaled or fouled condenser tubes range from chemicals to scrubbers, scrapers, brushes, hydro-lancing up to and including media blasting.