Minimal head loss – The automatic tube cleaning system shall not have components or accessories inserted along the condenser cooling water pipes supply and return pipes and the condenser tubes resulting in overall head loss > 0.5 psi, thereby causing the cooling water pumps to consume more energy.

Warm water leaving the condenser shall not re-enter the condenser without going through the cooling tower – The automatic tube cleaning system shall not allow warm water from the Condenser Return Pipe to re-circulate through the condenser this will increase the temperature of the cooling water and reduce the rate of heat exchange.

Durable and corrosion resistant – The automatic tube cleaning system shall be made of austenitic (surgical) stainless steel T304 which is resistant to scaling and able to withstand long term corrosion. The system shall not use galvanized mild steel pipes to convey sponge balls as corrosion of the pipe’s inner surface can damage or shorten the lifespan of these balls.

Easy replacement of consumables – The procedure to replace the cleaning medium shall be simple and easy to carry out in less than an hour with no downtime to chiller operation.

No discharge or significant water wastage from the automatic tube cleaning system – The use of the automatic tube cleaning system shall not cause chemically treated cooling water to be discharged during each cleaning cycle.

Able to withstand high pressure – The automatic tube cleaning system shall be suitable for the operating pressure of the cooling water system.

No damage or adverse impact on the chiller – System shall not have moving components in series with the condenser supply and return pipes or have additional components inserted along the condenser tubes as these can provide additional surface area for fouling deposits to accumulate and can impede flow or damage chiller should the cleaning system become faulty.

No additional fixtures, gadgets or accessories to be installed along the condenser tubes and on both ends of the condenser – System does not impede flow along the condenser tubes, cause fouling and corrosion at both ends of the condenser and does not require end covers of condenser to be extended outwards thereby altering the original length of the condenser.

Timely replacement of cleaning medium – System shall come with online monitoring capabilities using wireless technology to alert the maintenance crew and all relevant parties by sending messages to their hand phones or computer servers automatically after a predetermined number of cleaning cycles have been completed. The system must enable maintenance staff to visually inspect the physical condition of the cleaning medium to ensure they are not worn out.

In compliance with local patent laws –The system shall have a Grant of Patent issued by the Registry of Patents, Singapore.

The system shall have no prime movers such as motorized pumps or air compressors to circulate the cleaning sponge balls through the heat exchanger tubes.

There shall no draining away of cooling water from chiller system during each cleaning cycle. All water from cooling tower shall return to the cooling tower after flowing through the condenser tubes.

The system shall perform one cleaning cycle every 30 mins.

The static mechanical components shall be resistant to corrosion.

There shall be minimum head loss due to the components of the automated cleaning system.

The system shall not allow heated cooling water leaving the condenser to mix with the cooling water entering the condenser.

The cleaning cycles shall be activated by a PLC (programmable logic controller) or a microcontroller according to a predetermined timed sequence.

Cleaning cycle records shall be transmitted to mobile handsets via wireless GSM with SMS alert for preventive maintenance to be carried out punctually.

The sponge balls shall be made to enter the condenser tubes in a random fashion.

The sponge-cleaning balls shall be driven through the condenser tubes using the kinetic energy from the flow of the cooling water passing through the condenser.

The automatic cleaning system shall enable the cleaning balls to be easily replaced when they are soiled or no longer effective.

The cleaning system should provide means for one to view the condition cleaning balls without having to remove them from the cleaning system.

The sponge balls shall return to a centrifuge ball station after each cycle. The sponge balls shall be rinsed by a swirling motion within the centrifuge ball station after each cleaning cycle.

The system shall be able to withstand high pressure in the cooling water system > 15 bars.

Pressure sensing device to detect pressure before and after the ballcatch.

Online condenser approach measurement.