Shell and tube condenser cleaning servicing for Coffee factory

A coffee processing plant utilizes various types of heat exchangers throughout the production process to heat and cool coffee extract during the extraction and concentration stages.

The plant consumes a significant amount of steam throughout the production line. To recover waste heat from excess steam and utilize it for hot-water production, the plant uses shell-and-tube condensers.

The cleaning and maintenance procedure is carried out by the Hesco technical team as follows:

1. Equipment Preparation and Isolation

• Stop the equipment and completely isolate it from the system.

• Close the inlet and outlet valves on both the shell side and tube side.

• Depressurize the equipment, drain all process fluids, and confirm that the equipment has reached a safe pressure.

• If hazardous fluids are involved, flush/purge the equipment and perform gas testing before opening the equipment.

• Implement LOTO (Lockout/Tagout) before removing any flange or equipment cover.

• Prepare new gaskets, dismantling and installation tools, lifting equipment, and suitable cleaning chemicals.

2. Tube-Side Cleaning

The cleaning method shall be selected according to the type and severity of fouling.

• Circulate clean water through the tubes.

• High-pressure water jetting may be used for cleaning.

• For soft deposits, use suitable cleaning brushes or tube-cleaning rods.

The following methods may be used:

• Use a suitable descaling chemical compatible with the tube material.

• Circulate the cleaning chemical at the concentration, temperature, and duration specified by the chemical manufacturer’s recommendations.

• After chemical cleaning, thoroughly neutralize and rinse the tubes with clean water.

Note: Do not use strong acids without confirming their compatibility with the tube material. Stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, and titanium have different chemical resistance characteristics.

3. Shell-Side Cleaning

After opening the channel cover or removing the tube bundle, if required:

• Remove sludge, rust, deposits, and foreign materials.

• Clean the shell side using high-pressure water.

• If deposits are present on the baffles, shell, or tube bundle, clean them using suitable mechanical or chemical cleaning methods.

• Inspect the clearance between the tubes and baffles. Avoid using tools that may dent, deform, or scratch the tubes.

4. Gasket and Flange Inspection

• Remove the old gaskets.

• Thoroughly clean the sealing surfaces.

• Inspect the flanges for scratches, deformation, warping, or corrosion.

• Replace the gaskets with new ones of the correct type, size, and material.

• Tighten the bolts in a crosswise/diagonal sequence using the specified torque.

6. Reassembly and Leak Testing

Upon completion of the cleaning and inspection:

• Reinstall the tube bundle and equipment covers.

• Tighten the flanges to the specified torque.

• Close all drains and vents that are no longer required.

• Fill the equipment with water or the designated test medium.

• Increase the pressure gradually.

• Check for leakage at the following locations:

  • Tube sheet

  • Channel cover

  • Shell flange

  • Nozzles

For more than 10 years, Hesco has been trusted by customers for its high-quality products and professional technical services, including:

• Hisaka plate heat exchangers, spiral heat exchangers, and fully welded heat exchangers

• Hisaka ball valves, Schroedahl pump protection valves, AVK valves, and Koso valves

• Torishima high-pressure boiler feed pumps

• Piller Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) compressors

Hotline: (+84) 0981 096 439
Sales Director: Mr. Vân