Chemical cleaning method for steam generators utilizing pressure pulsing.

摘要

An improved method for removing sludge and corrosion products (32) from the interior of a heat exchanger vessel (1), such as a nuclear steam generator (1), which comprises the steps of generating a series of pressure pulses within a liquid chelate-containing chemical cleaning agent after the agent has been introduced into the interior of the vessel (1) to create shock waves in the liquid for dislodging, dissolving and fluidizing sludge and corrosion products (32). The use of pressure pulsing in combination with chemical cleaning substantially diminishes the chances that the chemical cleaning agents will induce further unwanted corrosion in the steam generator (1) by allowing the agent to be introduced and recirculated within the generator (1) at a lower temperature, or by allowing the use of a lower concentration of corrosion-inducing chelates, or by reducing the residence time required for the cleaning agent to clean the interior of the generator (1) than would otherwise be required if only the cleaning action of the chemical cleaning agents were relied upon. <IMAGE>