Decoking is necessary to remove limescale buildup in industrial pipes, with options including chemical cleaning, steam cleaning, and mechanical decoking. Multiple passes with flexible abrasive plugs can ensure optimal cleaning, and regular cleaning is important but excessive cleaning can be costly. Logs can help determine when to clean again and identify equipment malfunctions.
Decoking removes limescale buildup inside industrial pipes. Periodic cleaning is necessary to keep pipes running smoothly and effectively, with minimal pressure loss, pollution, and other problems. Some companies do this in-house, while others may hire cleaning consultancies. Such firms specialize in decoking and have a variety of tools that allow them to select the best options for a particular job.
One method involves running aggressive chemicals through the hose. They break the scale and sift through the walls of the pipes to remove it. Another option makes use of steam cleaning, where pressurized steam is used to blast material off the side of the pipe. Both options can place severe stresses on the hydraulic system which can contribute to fatigue, causing it to fail early.
Mechanical decoking, also known as pigging, is a preferred cleaning method in many industries. Pipework is less likely to be deformed and does not incur the high environmental costs associated with chemical cleaning. In this technique, operators insert flexible abrasive plugs known as pigs. They shoot through the pipes, rubbing them with nodules on the sides to remove scale. The water helps push them through and wash away the debris.
Multiple decoking passes can ensure that your pipes are as clean as possible. Some pigs have ultrasonic features, which allow them to vibrate the scale to remove more. They can also be fitted with cameras to evaluate their effectiveness, allowing the operator to determine if another pass is needed to get the pipes as clean as possible. Technicians can choose from a variety of pigs designed for different pipe diameters, lengths and compositions to select the optimal tool for the task.
The frequency of cleaning can depend on the facility and what it manages. It’s important to clean regularly to keep your pipes working, but excessive cleaning can be costly and can hasten pipe failure. Technicians can perform periodic inspections to determine when pigging is needed and check for problems such as cracks indicative of metal fatigue. They can replace damaged sections of pipe and decoke to clean up functional plumbing.
Facilities typically keep decking logs to document the last time they were cleaned and what types of material were found in the process. Logs can help businesses determine when to clean again, and can also identify anomalies that could indicate equipment malfunctions and other problems. For example, chemicals associated with partial combustion could indicate that furnaces are not working efficiently.
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