Paper Sizing cleaning chemicals involves using chemical solutions to remove fouling deposits from process equipment.
Mineral acids can be used to destroy inorganic salt scales, while steam or stormy water flow can aid in the cleaning process.
Is chemical cleaning better or worse than water-based cleaning?
Chemical cleaning has the following advantages:
- In many cases, cleaning can be done without dismantling the machinery.
- Because all surface parts will be cleaned, the cleaning process is more efficient.
- Chemical cleaning, when done correctly, is generally less damaging than conventional mechanical cleaning when done by trained professionals. If automatic cleaning causes damage, it may worsen corrosion and fouling in the future.
- Decontamination time can be reduced by up to 50% or more using cleaning methods, compared to mechanical cleaning methods, which are more time-consuming.
- In general, cleaning generates less waste material than mechanical cleaning.
- Chemical cleaning can recover much more valuable hydrocarbon streams than conventional cleaning.
Chemical cleaning has a few drawbacks, such as:
Coke deposits, for example, which is chemically inert, cannot be removed.
- Suppose a piece of equipment is severely clogged or obstructed. In that case, mechanical cleaning is necessary because chemical cleaning is either impossible or so limited as to make the chemical cleaning less effective.
- There is a low risk of corrosion or damage to equipment during chemical cleaning, but it can be disastrous if the process is mishandled or inexperienced workers.
- Cleaning chemicals suppliers who are knowledgeable as well as professional in chemical cleaning processes should be used for chemical cleaning operations unless an owner has sufficient experience in this field. All safety precautions should be taken, and cleaning agents should be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner while adhering to the approved procedures.