GE Power

PressureWave Plus*
Boiler and HRSG Cleaning
Fast and efficient cleaning with pressure
wave technology
As a service provider and OEM for HRSGs and boilers, GE provides tube Maintain Efficiency
cleaning services based on patented pressure wave cleaning technology.
and Power Output
Gas-side tube fouling of HRSG tubes can
considerably reduce the power output
and efficiency of a combined cycle
power plant. This is caused by reduced
heat transfer efficiency and increased
backpressure to the gas turbine.
Pressure wave cleaning has proven to be
an effective technology for removing this
fouling. Pressure waves penetrate deeper
within the finned tube bundles than other
technologies. It also does not require the
installation of scaffolding, which reduces
cost and required outage time.
This innovative technology can also be
applied to coal-fired power stations where
ash accumulation at various locations
can significantly affect the performance
of a plant.

HRSG Gas-side Tube Fouling Features and Benefits

Gas-side fouling of HRSG tubes happens mainly on the cold end modules of the HRSG. Increased plant performance
The most common sources are ammonia salts deposits downstream of an SCR or Reduced corrosion potential
corrosion. Corrosion can be caused by: Faster than conventional cleaning
methods such as CO2 blasting
Humidity in the ambient air during periods of standstill. This happens particularly for
Deep cleaning effect
units near the coast or in humid areas.
No scaffolding required
Condensation and deposition of water and sulfur compounds when the tube metal No damage to boiler tubing
temperature drops below the respective dewpoint during the operation of the unit.
This will mainly affect the coldest tubes, typically LP economizer inlet tubes.
Pressure Wave Cleaning Safety
Pressure wave cleaning is a patented technology that has been Pressure waves generated by the combustion of gas typically
developed in Switzerland by BANG&CLEAN Technologies AG and propagate at much lower speeds than pressure waves generated
was commercially introduced in 2001. Pressure wave cleaning of by explosives. The method therefore poses no danger for boiler
HRSGs is done off-line. A special lance is introduced into the area tubes. The method involves no transfer or storage of explosives.
between the pressure part modules to be cleaned. A bag at the The combustible gas mixture is prepared only moments before
end of the lance is then inflated with a combustible mixture that is ignition and numerous barriers of shut-off valves and non-return
remotely ignited. The resulting pressure wave and tube vibrations valves prevent gas leakage.
dislodge the deposits.
This needs to be repeated at several locations along the face
of the HRSG module to create the desired cleaning effect. The
pressure waves have the ability to penetrate deep into the tube
bundle and therefore provide a better cleaning effect than other
methods.

Case Study
Ninety percent repeat customers and
F class combined cycle power plant over 20,000 cleanings at more than 300
Located near the sea, in a humid environment with repeated start ups industrial facilities around the world are
and shutdowns proof of the safety and effectiveness of
T hree shifts to clean 2.5 modules this cleaning method.
R  emoved six tons of debris using a standard vacuum process
O  verall pressure drop reduction by more than 20 mbar/8" wg

Before Cleaning After Cleaning

Cleaning Steps
Different steps in the cleaning process

Lance in HRSG Bag in cone Inflating bag Bursting bag

30%
reduction of gas turbine backpressure
after cleaning. Six tons of debris removed.

* Denotes a trademark of General Electric Company

To learn more about this offering, contact your All other company and product names mentioned may be trademarks of the
GE Sales representative or visit powergen.gepower.com. companies with which they are associated.
2016 General Electric Company All rights reserved.
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