Heat Exchanger Maintenance and Cleaning Guide
Why Heat Exchanger Maintenance Matters
A heat exchanger loses performance the moment its surfaces foul. Dust, film, or scale insulates the plates and blocks airflow, so effectiveness drops and the fan works harder. Regular cleaning protects both savings and equipment life.
Signs It Needs Attention
- Effectiveness falling — supply air no longer reaches the expected temperature.
- Rising pressure drop — the fan draws more current for the same airflow.
- Visible dust or staining on plates or wheel.
- Odours or carry-over — especially on rotary wheels.
Cleaning Plate Exchangers
- Shut down and isolate the unit; relieve pressure.
- Unclamp the plate pack (or open the access panel).
- Rinse with low-pressure water; use a mild detergent for greasy film.
- For scale, use a recommended acid wash — never steel wool, which scratches plates.
- Inspect gaskets; refit and re-torque to spec.
Plates are the easiest type to clean — see the plate range. That is why they suit food and pharma.
Cleaning Rotary Wheels
- Wash the matrix with water/neutral detergent; some wheels tolerate a dishwasher-style clean.
- Check seals and purge sectors; replace if worn to control carry-over.
- Lubricate or inspect the drive as specified.
Cleaning Shell-and-Tube
Pull the bundle or use CIP (clean-in-place) chemicals; harder than plates but needed for process fluids.
Maintenance Schedule
Inspect quarterly in dirty duties, annually in clean ones; clean when pressure drop or effectiveness drifts. Keep filters upstream so the core stays clean longer.
FAQ
Can I pressure-wash plates?
Use low pressure only; high pressure bends thin plates and damages gaskets.
How often should a wheel be cleaned?
When carry-over or pressure rises — typically annually in normal air, more often in dusty sites.
Conclusion
Clean cores beat oversized dirty ones. A simple inspection-and-clean routine keeps a properly sized exchanger near its rated 70–85% effectiveness for years.