Cleaning Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger

[malkio]

Is there a way to chemically clean this type of exchanger from graphite impurities (tiny particles) ? is possible to chemically remove coke,soot,graphite at all? we clean it with xylene but that doesn't help
tnx

 

[brewnog]

Interesting question.

I've known organic solvents to be pretty good at cleaning brazed plate heat exchangers in combustion engine intercoolers before; recirculated fumes from the crankcase breather system can leave some pretty nasty carbon based deposits on the plates causing a reduction in efficiency.

However, I'm surprised to hear that xylene isn't effective. Let me know if you do find anything...

 

[Averagesupernova]

Take the simple approach and try vinegar.

 

[chemisttree]

Try a hot solution of sodium hydroxide in water if the material will hold up to it. A surfactant will help. Try dodecylbenzenesulfonate or Tide (about 1 to 2 %). Adding a little (5% by volume) of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DOW EB, active ingredient in Windex) and a percent of sodium metasilicate will have huge results. It will take time unless you have an ultrasonicator you can put the heat exchanger into. It will only take about 1/2 hour with heat, all of the above chemistry and the sonicator.

Remember that EB is flammable, so ventilation is required. Good luck!