Oil & Gas
Building & Facility Management
Manufacturing
From Power Washing Failures to Success with Aquaguard 915: Descaling Fouled Coolers to Restore Efficient Operation
At a glance
A hydraulics equipment supplier was working with a customer to remove scale from several coolers. Power washing proved ineffective so they reached out to Guardian Chemicals. At our recommendation, the client used Aquaguard 915 to descale these units, resulting in a more effective and efficient process.
Key metrics
REDUCED
LABOUR COSTS TO CLEAN COOLERS
LESS TIME
TO CLEAN COOLERS
INCREASED
COOLER EFFICIENCY AFTER SCALE REMOVAL
Why scale in coolers resists power washing
Coolers and heat exchangers lose efficiency as mineral scale builds on their surfaces. Scale is hard and tightly bonded, and much of it sits where water jets cannot reach. Power washing can remove loose surface deposits but often leaves the deeper scale behind.
That leaves the equipment running below capacity and costs money in repeat cleaning attempts that do not solve the problem.
A hydraulics equipment supplier in Saskatchewan was working on several scaled coolers for its customer. Power washing had not worked, and maintenance costs were climbing.
Challenges
Previous power washing attempts failed to clean the coolers effectively, leading to high maintenance costs and reduced operational efficiency due to scaling.
- Power Washing Didn’t Work: Previous attempts to clean the coolers with power washing were unsuccessful.
- High Maintenance Costs: Unsuccessful cleaning resulted in increased maintenance costs without solving the issue.
- Operational Inefficiency: Scaling significantly hindered the coolers’ operational efficiency.
Solutions
To address these challenges, at Guardian’s recommendation, the client adopted a more effective solution by de-scaling the coolers with Aquaguard 915.
- De-scaling Process: A 10% solution of A-915 was prepared in a dip-tank equipped with heat and agitation.
- Optimized Cleaning: Chemical de-scaling fully removed scale deposits from the coolers and proved to be a more effective and cost-efficient cleaning method compared to mechanical pressure washing.
Results
Restored Cooler Efficiency: The de-scaling process successfully removed scale deposits, restoring the coolers to optimal operational efficiency—reducing future maintenance intervals and costs.
Cost-Effective Cleaning: The client significantly reduced overall cleaning costs and quickly cleaned the coolers, satisfying their customer.
Data
Before and after: Transforming cooler cleaning by de-scaling with Aquaguard 915 at a hydraulics facility in Prince Alberta, Saskatchewan.
The old way: Power washing fails to remove deeper scale and some surface deposits.
Contact us to learn how Aquaguard 915 can clean and descale a wide variety of surfaces.
Hydraulics Specialist
We have been dealing with a descaling issue for our customer and the help [Guardian] provided us has been worth its weight in gold! We will be talking with…Guardian again. Guaranteed.
Scale buildup causes flow restrictions and reduced heat transfer efficiency, resulting in increased system maintenance and costs. Eliminate scale and the problems it causes by thoroughly cleaning your system with AQUAGUARD 915!
Frequently asked questions
How was Aquaguard 915 used?
As a 10% solution in a dip tank with heat and agitation.
Did it remove the scale?
Yes. Chemical descaling fully removed the scale deposits, which power washing had not.
What is Aquaguard 915?
An acid cleaner, scale remover and neutralizer.
What did the customer gain?
Restored cooler efficiency, lower overall cleaning costs, and a faster turnaround for their own customer.