Frequently asked questions
That’s already possible.
A technical study by Tech Sonic R&D, presented at Heat Exchanger Fouling and Cleaning XIII (Warsaw, Poland, 2019) and published on the conference’s official platform, demonstrated that replacing hydroblasting with industrial ultrasonic cleaning enabled a petrochemical facility to reduce CO₂e emissions by over 6,000 metric tons annually.
Here are the main results:
* Energy savings reached up to US$700,000.
* Net water use dropped by more than 95%.
* Greenhouse gas emissions fell by more than 6,000 tons.
* Wastewater was reduced by over 200 million litres each year.
These results are based on actual operations and have been presented at a leading industry technical forum.
Tech Sonic makes this possible.
* Reduces Hydroblasting: Cuts risky, water-heavy jetting by 75% for a safer and more efficient washpad.
* Flexible Systems: Provides integrated ultrasonic setups from 3.3m to 9.75m to fit any exchanger size.
* Smart Controls: Uses IT-OT technology for simple operation, remote support, and data tracking.
* Advanced Chemistry: Breaks down refinery fouling fast to boost performance.
* Safe Handling: Our bundled technology lowers risks to workers and equipment during cleaning.
* Robotic Rinsing: Automates hydroblasting rinse steps, so work gets done faster with fewer staff.
* Water Savings: The TapHouse system manages water efficiently to reduce waste.
* All-in-One Software: Washpad Management brings everything together with cloud-based planning and reporting.
This system is deployed in refineries, making maintenance cleaner, faster, safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective.
CF Industries experienced this themselves. After Tech Sonic used ultrasonic cleaning on their C-109 process train heat exchangers, CF reported a 27% increase in ammonia production, according to their official testimonial.
During that same turnaround,
* Four exchangers were cleaned in just 9 days instead of 30, which allowed for 21 more days of runtime.
* Each unit was completely cleaned in less than 24 hours, compared to the 5 to 7 days it usually takes with hydroblasting.
These results, documented by Tech Sonic R&D and confirmed by CF, are not just estimates. They are proven outcomes from an actual refinery turnaround.
Hydroblasting often misses fouling between tubes, especially on the shell side. This leaves behind baked-on polymers, mineral scale, and carbonized residues that insulate surfaces and reduce heat transfer.
At Braskem, this problem caused exchangers to run at less than 80% of their design efficiency. On just one exchanger, it led to $1.6 million USD per year in wasted steam.
Joint work by Braskem and Tech Sonic R&D, including Dr. Kieser, presented at the International Heat Exchanger Fouling Conference, shows that this loss is direct, measurable, and avoidable.
Incomplete cleaning is not maintenance; it is a hidden operational cost.