Technical Resource Hub: Research-Validated Methods for Exchanger Maintenance
Explore this page for more information about our technology and success.
Why Refineries Trust Tech Sonic Cleaning For Critical Heat Exchanger Maintenance
Welcome to our Technical Hub, where you will find technical papers and publications about Tech Sonic. Some are refereed journal articles, others are papers contributed by clients. If you would like to make a contribution, please get in touch! - Byron Kieser, Director R&D
The Economic Impact of Better Heat Exchanger Cleaning On An Oil Refinery – Theoretical, Expected And Actual Results
B.N. Kieser, R. Tomotaki, J. Loyola-Fuentes, E. Diaz-Bejarano and F. Coletti
This paper, presented at Heat Exchanger Fouling and Cleaning – XIV and published in 2023, this paper takes a look at how four different sources of information - a "black box" model, a Hexxcell Digital Twin Model, client data from measured trials, and anecdotal reports, all align in estimating the economic value of better cleaning with Tech Sonic. Read the Economic Impact Paper. ⇢ https://heatexchanger-fouling.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/S11-1400-Thursday-Kieser.pdf Next:Value of Cleaning Paper ↴
Understanding the Value of Cleaning - Gains From the Use of Ultrasonic Cleaning of Large Industrial Equipment
C. H. Schulz and B. Kieser
This paper was jointly written with Braskem, and presented at the 13th International Conference on Heat Exchanger Fouling and Cleaning and published the findings in 2021. The paper recounts Braskem's experiences in adopting the Tech Sonic technology, and the results obtained. By following a single bundle through the Tech Sonic Cleaning and for a year of subsequent operation, Braskem was able to identify an over $2M improvement based on the better cleaning of a single heat exchanger. Read the Value of Cleaning Paper. ⇢ https://heatexchanger-fouling.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/42_Schulz-and-Kieser.pdf Next:Hydrogen Peroxide Paper ↴
Application of Stabilized Hydrogen Peroxide for the Removal of Iron Polysulfide Deposits
T.R. McCartney and R. Shank
Presented by collaborators using a Tech Sonic cleaning system, this paper presented at the 2013 International Conference on Heat Exchanger Fouling and Cleaning, describes the succesful removal of iron sulfide scaling from heat exchangers using a stabilized hydrogen peroxide chemistry as the cleaning solution. Read the Hydrogen Peroxide Paper. ⇢ https://heatexchanger-fouling.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/47_McCartney_F.pdf Next:Ultrasonic Cleaning Paper ↴
Ultrasonic Cleaning of Badly Fouled Compabloc Exchangers
R. Philion, S. Smith, B.Kieser and T. McCartney
Our third peer-reviewed paper was presented at the 2011 conference and published at heatexchanger-fouling.com in 2021. It discusses how we restored four "uncleanable" Alfa Laval Compabloc 106 units in an FCCU using Tech Sonic Cleaning, returning the units to like-new performance levels. This success delivered the client refinery in Ontario an annual value gain of over $4 million USD. Read the Compabloc Paper. ⇢ https://heatexchanger-fouling.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/49_Kieser-PhilionSMCFL_F.pdf Next:FeCO3 Deposits Paper ↴
The Effective Removal of FeCO3 Deposits From Critical Process Heat Exchangers Used in Ammonia Production Using a Proprietary Ultrasonic Chemical Cleaning Method
R. Philion 1 and T.R. McCartney
We presented this paper at the 2013 Heat Exchanger Fouling and Cleaning Conference. This paper shows that Tech Sonic cleaning was able to remove over removed 96% of FeCO₃ fouling from four lean-rich amine bundles. These bundles were restored quickly and safely to like-new performance levels. Furthermore, these bundles were cleaned within the 7-day window originally planned for just one exchanger with hydroblasting alone, accelerating the clients schedule by more than 21 days. Read the FeCO₃ Paper. ⇢ https://heatexchanger-fouling.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/50_Philion_F.pdf Next:Practice-To-Theory Paper ↴
From Practice-To-Theory-To-Practice: Advances in the Cleaning of Heat Exchangers Using Ultrasound
B. Kieser, A. Goode, and R. Philion
Originally presented at the 2013 Heat Exchanger Fouling & Cleaning Conference and published in the proceedings in 2014. This paper provides an update on the advances in Tech Sonic's ultrasonic cleaning technology. Ultrasonic cleaning is more effective than other methods. We created a five-step process using low-pressure immersion: rinse, lance, sonicate, rotate, and repeat. This method cleans areas that hydroblasting cannot reach, uses 75% less water, produces less waste, and restores heat transfer to near its original level. Read the Practice-To-Theory paper. ⇢ https://heatexchanger-fouling.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/51_Kieser_F.pdf
Research Opportunities
Do you have a challenging cleaning problem?
Get in touch if you are interested in exploring new applications for Tech Sonic Technology, have a question you can't find the answer to here, or would like to collaborate on a publication or presentation.