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Furnaces And Cooling Circuits
Scales & Harmful Effects Water contains considerable amounts of scale forming constituents, e.g., calcium & magnesium bicarbonates, sulphates, magnesium hydroxide, silica, slime-algae, corrosion products, slit & sludge, etc. The scales deposit on metal parts and inside pipe lines of heat exchangers, evaporators, boilers, compressors, vacuum driers, solar heaters, generators, A.C. Units and water cooling circuits. The adherent scales Impede Heat Transfer capacity of the unit (Heat conduction capacity of hard water scale is only 3.8% of Steel) thus requiring 12% more fuel (through 1/16 scale in boiler ) to achieve the same heat transfer. In practice the thickness of scales may be much higher. In a similar way, the scales work as insulation for heat in exchangers, compressors and generators, which results in heavy loss and higher pressure for compressors. The scales formed also obstruct fluid flow, cause localisation of corrosion attack, metal failure at hot spots and reduction in the capacity of heat transfer tubes. Scales Cleaning & Prevention The loss of energy downtime of various equipment and replacements of expensive tubes and components can be prevented by periodic scale cleaning. Mechanical removal of scales involving dismantling of parts is cumbersome, time consuming and inefficient in cleaning inaccessible areas of the assembled unit. Chemical cleaning is more efficient in inaccessible positions. In addition to scale cleaning, a number of Water Treatment compounds have been formulated to prevent scaling, corrosion and algae that will keep the equipment efficient for a long period of usage.
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