In addition to size, you need to know some things about the tubes to be cleaned. For example, are they straight or curved? As you would expect, straight tubes run straight through the length of the pressure vessel, exiting at the opposite end. This is common for fire tube boilers, as well as a lot of shell and tube type heat exchangers in operation today. However, water tube boilers with curved tubes and U-tube exchangers (pronounced the same as YouTube) are also common. Unlike straight tubes, U-tubes do not exit at the opposite end, but rather curve back around and return to the front tube sheet. Curved tubes require a cleaning head that can work its way through the bend.
Some heat exchanger tubes are lined with twisting ridges like rifling. These are called internally enhanced tubes. The spiraling shape allows fluid to flow through the tube more smoothly and efficiently with less turbulence. Dual diameter brushes are designed reach the high and the low areas of internally enhanced tubes.
It is also important to know what type of metal tubes are installed in the pressure vessel to be cleaned. Tube and brush metals should always match to avoid damage that will shorten the service life of tubes made of soft metals. Non-ferrous metals that do not contain iron, including copper, brass, and aluminum, are softer than ferrous metals like steel and stainless steel, which contain iron. So using a harder steel brush in a softer copper tube will score and erode the internal surface, leading to premature corrosion and eventual leaks. Softer bronze brushes can be used with copper and brass tubes. Stainless steel can be used with titanium and copper-nickel alloy tubes (also called Cupronickel). Plastic nylon brushes are safe to use with any metal.
Different heating and cooling systems with varying maintenance histories become fouled by different types of dirt, grime and slime. For example, dry black soot builds up over time in fire tube boiler tubes, whereas mushy gunk, as well as hard scale, can form in chillers, absorbers and water tube boilers. HVAC tube deposits fall into the following 4 basic categories.
With competitive price and timely delivery, FUYI BRUSH sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
When maintenance is performed on a regular seasonal schedule you will most likely encounter only light to medium debris. In that case spiral brushes will do the trick. They work in conjunction with water delivered via the drive unit shaft to create a flushing action that aids the cleaning process. When the water that streams back out of the tube starts running clear, then you know it&#;s clean and time to move on to the next one.
Again, always match the spiral brush metal to the tube metal. Only use hard ferrous metals in ferrous tubes and softer non-ferrous metals in non-ferrous tubes.
Sometimes moderate deposits need more than just a spiral brush. For rust, scale and chemical precipitates an expanding brush with replaceable bristles is ideal. As the head spins on the cleaning unit shaft, the bristle cartridges rise via centripetal force, expanding to conform to the interior circumference of the tube. Expanding brushes tend to last longer than spiral brushes too. As the bristles wear down, the cartridges simply rise a little further to contact the tube wall. Once the bristle cartridges have worn to far they can be replaced with new ones. They come in steel, stainless steel, bronze, or nylon to match the tube metal.
Goodway Coiled Tube Brushes incorporate a revolutionary piston design. They feature durable nylon bristles set in a coil, wrapped around a wear-resistant polymer core. Superior to wooden dowel cores, Goodway's piston design allows the brushes to be quickly inserted into the tubes and helps maximize the cleaning effectiveness of the bristles. They are ideal for removing soft to medium deposits. All Coiled Tube Brushes are available for tubes 5/8"-1" (15.9-32mm) O.D. with BWG ranges 16-22. Additional sizes available. Match tube O.D. and BWG for proper sizing.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of condenser tube brushes. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.