Cleaning of boilers from scale

Boiler is a complex and expensive device without which it is impossible to heat some rooms. In the process of boiler house operation there is a constant contact with water, in which a lot of minerals, salts and iron are dissolved. They settle on the walls of the equipment, which leads to the formation of scale, which destroys the walls of the boiler and heat exchangers, as well as water supply pipes. To extend the life of equipment and avoid expensive repairs, it is necessary to clean the boilers of scale in time.

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Why clean the boiler?

Boilers are used for heating various rooms, as well as for heating water.

Important! The technology of their work is extremely simple, and resembles an ordinary teapot - with the help of electricity or fuel, water is heated, which through the heat exchanger gets into the pipes and heats the room.

During boiling a solid sediment is formed on the walls of the boiler, consisting of mineral salts, metal ions and lime.

Timely cleaning of the descaling boilers helps to avoid the following problems:

• The walls of the vessel start to conduct less heat, and as a result, more energy is needed to heat the room.
• The liquid can not freely circulate in the vessel, so leaking equipment may cause leaks.
• In order to function properly, the boiler must not only heat evenly, but also cool. Scum prevents this, as a result of which the equipment breaks down.
• The pump load is significantly increased, which pumps water into the boiler and the heat exchanger.

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Cleaning methods

To date, several methods for cleaning the boiler from scale have been developed. Each of them has its own characteristics, as well as positive and negative sides. Here are the most common methods:

• Chemical cleaning - scum is destroyed with the help of reagent, poured into the device.
• Physical cleaning - mineral deposits are removed physically. This is the simplest cleaning of boilers from scale with a brush, for which it is necessary to disassemble the device, as well as the hydrodynamic method.
• Cleaning of the scale with ultrasound.
• Boiler washing with booster.

Important! In addition, sometimes the walls of the boiler are treated from the inside with a special substance that prevents the formation of scale. This method is very expensive and not very reliable, so it has not found wide distribution.

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Physical cleaning methods

Physical cleaning methods are not considered the most reliable way to get rid of scale.

Important! In the process, it is easy to damage the material of the equipment walls, which reduces their thermal conductive properties. In addition, it is necessary to disassemble the heating device, and this requires special skills.

Physical cleaning of boilers from scale can be of two types:

1. The boiler and the heat exchanger must be completely disassembled by shutting off the water supply beforehand. With the help of special brushes for metal, a layer of scale is removed, and then the equipment is reassembled.
2. Water is started up in the boiler equipment under high pressure. Under the influence of its strength, it simply flushes all deposits from the walls of the boiler, heat exchanger and pipes.

Important! The second method is not cheap, plus you need the skill of handling the hydraulic installation.

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Methods for dry cleaning of descaler boilers

This method is based on the interaction of chemical reagent and mineral deposits, thereby completely destroying the scale layer. Depending on the purpose, the chemical method is usually divided into two types.

Proactive cleaning

This procedure is aimed at removing and slowing down the occurrence of rusting of the boiler walls. Calcareous plaque is removed by washing with special substances, which most often contain alkali.

The following equipment is required for cleaning this way:

• Booster or rinsing machine. This is a purification pump system into which the washing liquid is poured.
• Chemical composition. As a rule, it contains two types of compounds - surfactants( surfactants) and scaling agents.

The cleaning process itself is carried out as follows:

1. Unplug the boiler and shut off the water supply system.
2. Drain a large part of the water from the boiler.
3. The inlet and outlet of the heating system must be blocked.
4. Connect the booster to the nozzles and fill the device with a chemical, having previously read the instruction manual.
5. Start the device. Typically, one cleaning cycle takes up to two hours.
6. After the procedure, the alkali is drained into a separate container and then disposed of in a special way.
7. Pour tap water into the booster and repeat the procedure for the final flushing of the system.

Important! This method of purification is good because in addition to a chemical reaction, a hydrodynamic effect also occurs. Therefore, booster cleaning is one of the best ways to clean boilers from scale today.

Demountable flushing

Chemical cleaning of the boiler with the help of its analysis, as a rule, is used only in case of particularly severe contaminants. To do this:

1. It is necessary to completely disassemble the device, up to the soldered and electrical parts.
2. After this, the heat exchanger plates are immersed in a chemical solution for several hours.
3. This method, as a rule, is combined with a physical method of purification.

Important! If you decide to clean the boiler system using chemical methods on your own, be sure to use personal protective equipment to avoid burns.

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Ultrasonic cleaning

This method is based on the impact of high-frequency sound waves on the walls of the boiler, thereby scaling is destroyed. Remains of the plaque fall into the water, which after treatment is passed or drained, so that pure water appears in the vessel.

Important! The cost and complexity of the procedure are not suitable for frequent use. In addition, equipment for ultrasonic cleaning is difficult to buy in conventional stores.

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Prevention

In order to avoid frequent cleaning of the boilers from scale, it is best to deal with regular prevention of plaque formation. This will not only prolong the service life of the equipment, but will improve its heat-conducting properties.

There are several preventive methods:

• It is necessary to eliminate the cause of scale - hard water. To do this, you can use softening filters, as well as buy a boiler with an automatic water softener.
• Approximately once a month in the heat exchange system it is recommended to fill in a special cleaning liquid. It is not suitable for removing strong contaminants, but it copes well with the prevention of plaque formation.
• The use of a magnetic water converter is one of the few ways that significantly reduces the chances of a raid. This is a tube that is installed on the water supply pipe and has a magnet, the latter creates a strong magnetic field. It does not allow the formation of scale on the walls of the boiler in the future.

There are many ways to clean the boiler of scale. This will not only save equipment from damage, but it will help to save on heating the premises. If you are not sure that you can clean the boiler equipment on your own, then it's better to ask for help from specialists, because possible breakages during the cleaning can result in a long repair.