How often should heat exchanger be inspected?
every 5 years
During heat exchanger operation, every heat exchanger shall be visual inspected externally to at least every 5 years or at the same interval as the required internal or on-stream inspection.
How do you inspect a heat exchanger?
Inspect the interior of heat exchanger with mirror and flashlight check for evidence of water indicating a crack, rust perforation or crimp leak. Then there may be times you just need to pull the heat exchanger and fill it with water just to verify where the leak is at.
Do home inspectors inspect heat exchangers?
Most state and association “Standards of Practice” don’t require a home inspector to inspect the heat exchanger.
How do you service plate heat exchanger?
To clean your plate heat exchanger, first drain both sides and isolate it from your system fluid (generally done with isolation valves). Then, flush water through both sides until it runs clear. For best results, you should flush the fluids counter to the direction that they run in operation.
How do you pressure test a tube and shell heat exchanger?
Soap Bubble Test
- Ensure the and covers are removed from the seawater box side.
- Isolate the entire cooler and pressurize the shell side with air.
- Use soap solution and apply the same at the tube ends.
- Bubble formation will indicate the leaking tube.
What are the signs of a cracked heat exchanger?
Six Signs Your Furnace Heat Exchanger May be Cracked
- Strange smells. A malfunctioning heat exchanger will often create an unpleasant and strong odor that smells similar to formaldehyde.
- Soot Build-up.
- Corrosion & Cracks.
- Change in the flame appearance.
- Audible Sounds.
- Presence of Carbon Monoxide.
What are some tests a Tech could run to verify a cracked heat exchanger?
A smoke bomb test – a smoke generator is placed in the heat exchanger, then the outside of the heat exchanger is visually accessed to watch for smoke passing through the crack.
How often are heat exchangers cleaned?
The association recommends reducing fuel costs by regularly cleaning heat exchangers to prevent fouling, which is often caused by a dirty, malfunctioning burner. Inspect heat exchangers at least once per year and clean them when they look dirty.