Tube Cleaning Briefing Guide
Briefing Guide: Tube Cleaning
Things to consider when deciding to choose water jetting for Tube and Pipe Cleaning.
- A good supply of potable water is required (Ideally a fire hydrant – for applications using water pressure up to 1000 bar we are able to use process grade water) 1.5 – 12 cubic meters per hour.
- Tubes ranging in diameter from 12.5mm ID to over 2000mm ID may be treated using this remote control system.
- Our tube cleaning equipment may be deployed into high level plants, removing the need to pull bundles.
- We have cleaned bundles over 8 meters in length
- We undertake shell side cleaning if the bundle is pulled and have hydraulic rollers to manipulate safely as required.
- We own all our own equipment
- A suitable area for laydown of plant (Van and trailer combination or truck options are typically 10m in length)
- A work platform must be available at the tube face.
- Bundles must be isolated from the process pipework they are connected to.
- At least one Bonnet must be removed, to allow access, often Channels may remain in place.
- Water jets produce noise – Consider the use of acoustic blankets around each work enclosure to bring noise down to acceptable level
- Waste water containment, filtration, RGL have our own system for handling this element of the work for you.
- Waste water disposal: Normally after filtration to remove majority of solids, the water is pumped to site drainage or effluent plant. If no effluent plant is available on site then a licenced liquid waste tanker service provider/ disposer will be engaged.
- Productivity: Generally several times quicker than using conventional techniques. Sometimes water jets offer the only effective method of cleaning thus avoiding the costly replacement of tubes of even entire bundle.
- Removed solids are normally collected in containers placed under the lowest outlet point. These are normally moved to disposal point via forklift or crane.
- Our Plant is diesel driven and as such requires a well-ventilated area in which to operate.
- Our diesel engine pump units are fitted with spark arrestor and chalwyn valve
- Our Plant should ideally be positioned adjacent to the work face. It may however be operated remotely over 100m from the work face under special circumstances.