Maintaining Steam Coil Air Preheater Performance with Conco NitroLance™
The role of the steam coil air preheater (SCAP) is to heat combustion air before it enters a rotary regenerative or recuperative tubular air heater. A well maintained SCAP provides corrosion protection to these air heaters as well as provides benefits for improved megawatt output, boiler heat rate and reductions in house load and plant emissions to name a few.
Severely Fouled SCAP Fins | One of the primary causes of SCAP performance degradation is due to airside fouling of the fin tube surfaces. As fins become encrusted in fly ash, grime and other airborne fouling, the differential pressure across the coils increase and efficiency decreases. Because the average thickness of SCAP fins are only 0.012", they can't be cleaned with high-pressure water for fear of fin damage. The use of low pressure water is usually ineffective at entering the narrow fin channels, and usually rolls off the surface. Any effluent produced as a result must be properly handled and disposed, usually at considerable cost. As a result, many plants simply replace the SCAP bundles once their efficiency drops below a certain level. The costs associated with a replacement can reach several million dollars.
Before and After Cleaning | Conco's NitroLance™ cleaning system provides an alternative to SCAP replacement through its unique ability to safely penetrate airside fouling with pressurized liquid nitrogen. As liquid nitrogen enters deposit cracks and crevices, it expands nearly 700 times as it rapidly converts to a gas. This causes the deposits to break up from the inside, increasing cleaning rates by up to 300 times over other methods. Because liquid nitrogen evaporates, the production of contaminated effluent and its associated handling and disposal are eliminated. This zero waste feature of NitroLance™ can save our customers hundreds of thousands of dollars in environmental cleanup and disposal costs. When asked about performance improvement following a recent NitroLance™ SCAP cleaning, a customer told Conco that "the differential pressure across the coils dropped by over half and saved us the cost of replacing the unit..."
To find out how NitroLance™ can provide your SCAP with a new lease on life, call 1-800-345-3476 today to speak with a NitroLance team member. For more information on NitroLance SCAP cleaning services, visit our YouTube channel. |
In September, the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA plays host to the first annual Condenser Life Cycle Seminar jointly sponsored by Conco Systems, Plymouth Tube Co., Retubeco and Plastocor. The unique event allows power generation professionals an opportunity to speak one-on-one with condenser experts about the entire life cycle of the condenser. With thought leaders speaking on a variety of topics, including proper tube material selection, optimal cleaning and testing, retubing, tube and tubesheet coating and more, the seminar allows access to condenser experts not currently available at any other event! For more information, visit www.condenserseminar.com |
Conco Expands Operations in Asia Pacific
 To meet increasing demand for our Total Heat Exchanger Performance™ services, we've recently moved into a larger, more modern facility at our offices outside of Newcastle, Australia. The multi-bay facility allows Conco crews to mobilize more efficiently for service calls throughout Australia, New Zealand and the entire Asia-Pacific region. Along with the much needed space, the new Conco facility allows us to offer enhanced turn-key heat exchanger refurbishment services including retubing, full bundle replacement and testing services. Conco Systems Pty Ltd is a sole source provider of the entire line of Total Heat Exchanger Performance™ services including heat exchanger cleaning, leak detection and non-destructive testing. For more information on achieving the perfect balance of heat exchanger efficiency and reliability, visit our contact page to speak with your local Conco representative. |
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CONCO Sponsors Opening Reception at 2010 ASME Power
"Talking About Your Generation" is the theme of the Conco's opening cocktail reception at this year's ASME Power 2010 conference in Chicago. If you are lucky enough to be one of the 400 in attendance at the event, be sure and stop by booth 16 to say hello! This year's ASME Power conference is held at the historic Hilton Palmer House hotel in downtown Chicago, IL. For more information on the event, visit http://conco.me/r |
Get Your Copy
Conco is pleased to announce the release of our newest brochure, Total Condenser Performance™.
The 32 page full color brochure has comprehensive information on achieving the perfect balance of condenser efficiency and reliability through effective tube cleaning, eddy current testing and leak detection services. This brochure also highlights Conco ProSeries™ tube cleaning systems and Leak Detection Systems as well as the full line of Conco Tube Cleaners featuring TruFit™ technology.
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