Aluminium cleaner 1

[qca2003]

we have a problem in the air fin cooler unit system, the problem is so much dust adhere to the surface of air fin cooler, it is caused by the enviroment around our plant is very dusting. The effect of this probelm is heat transfer of the system that is cooled by air fin cooler was decrease. so on next shutdown we have plan to clean the surface of air fin cooler ( material air fin cooler is aluminium )by acid cleaning.
Our question :
1. Have you any idea which methode or procedure are used to cleaning air fin cooler ?
1. What is the formula aluminium acid cleaner ? ( e.g. mixing HCL, inhibitor and surfactant, or others formula )
2. If use inhibitor and surfactant, what kind the inhibitor and surfactant that appropriate for the acid solution ?

Thank much for the info

Wahib A
17/10/03

 

[kenvlach]

STOP. DO NOT USE HCl ON ALUMINUM.

Do not use either acidic or alkaline cleaners on aluminum – even anodized aluminum. Anything with pH < 4 or > 9 will attack aluminum. I suggest using a pressurized water spray, with a mild or neutral detergent or soap if necessary. Do a final rinse with the cleanest water available, then blow dry with clean compressed air.

http://www.aluminum.org/Content/Con...l_Cleaning_Advice_for_All_Things_Aluminum.htm

I would expect aluminum HXer fins to be anodized. No acid should ever be used on anodized aluminum. In the metal finishing industry, chromic and nitric acids (health & environmental hazards) are sometimes used on aluminum. E.g., to strip anodic oxide or nickel plating.

 

[unclesyd]

Echoing &quot;kenvlack&quot; don't use HCl to clean anything indoors unless you have a proper setup, as you will corrode everything in site.

Your best bet is to purchase a commercial Al fin cleaning product from a chemical cleaning supply co. or a refrigeration supply co. If none a available you can get an Al truck/tanker cleaner.

Depending on the nature of your dust there probably isn’t much coating left on the Aluminum.
If the soiling of the fins is very rapid you may look at an air wash system a head of the coils. Al fins in reality don’t like to be cleaned repeatedly.

We use a low pressure(400psig-600psig) water spray with an Al friendly detergent. We use both heated and ambient temperature depending on the location in the plant. Be careful with the water as you can flatten a lot of fins if you are not careful. Use a fan nozzle if possible. Get a fin comb to straighten out bent fins.

 

[hacksaw]

Echo'ing the advice given above, acid or caustic cleaning would risk destruction of your equipment.

Would advise against pressure washing aluminum fin HEX unless your are directed to do so by the manufacturer of that system and have specific written instructions. The risk is pretty obvious and very real.

Low pressure water spray or compressed air is generally all that is recommended with small systems. Here again, have a properly designed cleaning method is the key.