Acid Cleaning Boiler

Acid cleaning often done to remove metallic oxide film or scale after the oil and
grease boil out operation. But this should be done only be experience personnel
using recommended dosage for the unit, followed by the neutralized agents.
Leaky tubes, especially at rolled joints in older boiler, often develop after
improper acid cleaning.

The solvent used for chemical cleaning are varied. Some used hydrochloric acid,
others phosphoric acid. The usual procedure is to again fill the boiler until the
solution overflows at the air vent (acid is added outside the boiler). The solution
allowed to soak the boiler from 4 to 6 hours, followed by refilling with
neutralizing agent. If hydrochloric acid is used for soaking, a weak solution of
phosphoric acid is used. After draining, fresh warm water is used for flushing,
then the boiler is immediately filled with the alkaline solution and boiled again
the several hours. This solution is drained, then the boiler flush again, and then
refilled with treated water.

Precaution

Make sure all traces of acid are thoroughly cleaned out of u bends, superheater
tube, joint, valves or at end portion of boiler headers. Compressed air may have
to be used to force the solution out of dead pocket. Before doing acid cleaning
the following problem should be considered i.e.

i. Chemical analysis of scale

ii. Age of boiler

iii. Construction detail of boiler

After complete acid cleaning has been done, analysis boiler water treatment
must be frequently to avoid any corrosion take place

Method of acid cleaning

In the circulation method, the cleaning solution is intermittently circulated

through the unit until the chemical content and the iron and copper content of
the cleaning solution reach a constant value, indicating the end of the reaction
between the solvent and deposits. This method is suitable for units with positive
liquid flow paths, and it allows monitoring of the cleaning operation at multiple
sample points.
In the static method, the cleaning solution soaks in the unit for a prescribed
length of time. This method is used when positive circulation of the cleaning
solution is impractical.