The components of the air conditioning system can quickly transfer heat from the pipeline to the air near the pipeline. During the distillation process, the device that converts gas or vapor into liquid is called a condenser, and all condensers operate by taking away the heat of the gas or vapor.

The normal operation of the condenser can avoid premature wear of components and maintain optimal working conditions. How to troubleshoot the condenser?

1. Solution to high condensation temperature (condensation temperature: refers to the condensation temperature of refrigerant in the condenser):

① Insufficient cooling water: If the high-temperature gas discharged by the compressor cannot effectively cool down, causing the condensation temperature to increase, sufficient water should be added.

② Excessive temperature of cooling water: This prevents the high-temperature gas discharged from the compressor from exchanging heat effectively, leading to an increase in condensation temperature. Therefore, appropriate cooling measures should be taken for the cooling water.

③ The low vacuum and dryness of the refrigeration system leads to an increase in condensation temperature. The solution is to increase the system vacuum.

2. Low condensation temperature:

① Insufficient amount of refrigerant in the system: it should be added according to the instructions.

② Cooling water temperature is too low or water flow rate is too high: it should be adjusted appropriately according to the cooling capacity and temperature difference.

3. Too much scale in the condenser:

The formation of scale in the condenser is mainly due to the presence of heavy carbonates, sulfates, chlorides, silica, and other impurities containing high amounts of Ca, Ma, and Na elements in the cooling water. The presence of these substances gives the water a certain hardness. After the formation of scale, the water flow resistance increases, the heat exchange efficiency decreases, and the condensation temperature increases, the refrigeration capacity decreases, and the power consumption increases. In severe cases, it can lead to erosion of the pipe wall.

To prevent such accidents from happening, clean water should be used. If the water quality does not meet the requirements, chemical water treatment should be used. If the cooling water is seawater, measures should be taken in the design to prevent corrosion of pipelines and equipment by seawater, as well as adhesion or blockage of aquatic organisms and plants to pipelines and equipment in seawater.

Condenser cleaning steps

Preparation before cleaning

1. Prepare sufficient chemical cleaning agents according to the condition of the unit.

2. Check and prepare physical cleaning equipment, spare parts, connecting water hose and consumables (nylon brush)

3. Prepare acid resistant pumps, circulating cleaning hoses, blind plates, circulating water tanks, flange connection sealing materials, etc. required for chemical cleaning.

4. Prepare power supplies with leakage protection devices and hardware tools for cleaning.

Physical cleaning steps

1. Remove the condenser (evaporator) end cover of the unit, carefully inspect each tube bundle, and use a dedicated pipeline cleaning machine to remove debris from the tube bundle.

2. Use a copper wire brush to remove dirt such as mud and scale from the front and rear end covers and tube plates.

3. Rinse the tube bundle, front and rear end covers, and tube plates with clean water before installing them back in place.

4. Seal the inlet and outlet pipes of the unit condenser (evaporator) with blind plates, and inject clean water into the unit through the unit drain valve. After the water is full, check the sealing of the unit water system.

5. After injecting water into the unit, no water leakage was found, and the physical cleaning work was completed.

Chemical cleaning steps

1. Connect the chemical cleaning circuit, connect the output end of the circulating pump to the condenser (evaporator) drain valve of the unit, and connect the suction end of the circulating pump to the condenser (evaporator) exhaust valve.

2. Seal the inlet and outlet pipes of the condenser (evaporator) with blind plates.

3. Inject clean water into the unit from the drain valve of the condenser (evaporator) and check the tightness of the system.

4. Start the circulating pump and confirm that there is no gas present in the system.

5. Slowly pour H-101 multifunctional corrosion inhibitor into the circulating water tank at a dosage of 3-5 ‰, allowing it to be thoroughly mixed with water in the system. Then, add H-102 copper ion masking agent and run for 10 minutes at a dosage of 5-10 ‰.

6. According to the scaling situation of the unit, add H-402 cleaning agent at once. Generally, the amount of cleaning agent added is 8-10% of the circulating water volume. (Increase or decrease the dosage of cleaning agent appropriately depending on the scaling situation)

7. At any time during the cyclic cleaning process, the pH value of the cleaning solution should be tested to be ≤ 5. If the pH value is close to 7, the cleaning agent should continue to be added until the pH value remains ≤ 5, indicating that the cleaning is basically completed.

8. Add caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) to the circulating water tank to neutralize the residual liquid, and when its pH value is 7, the residual liquid can be discharged completely.

9. Rinse with clean water and inject water into the unit. After filling up with water, add H-503 pre film agent to the circulating water tank, with a general dosage of 2-2.5% of the circulating water volume. After circulating for 3-5 hours, discharge the residual liquid.

10. Open the end cover or blind plate, check the cleaning effect, and request Party A to inspect.

11. After both parties confirm that the cleaning is qualified, the chemical cleaning work is completed.

Work requirements after cleaning

1. Restore the installation of the supply and return water pipeline, pay attention to checking the sealing material at the flange connection, and replace it if necessary.

2. Open the pipeline valve to check the tightness of the pipeline installation, and no dripping or leakage is allowed.

3. Inventory equipment and tools, and clean the work site.