Tubular Boiler Air Preheater Cleaning: Safety Risks and Solutions

The air preheater, as an important auxiliary equipment of the boiler, plays a crucial role in the boiler’s operation. Its operating conditions are vital to the boiler’s performance and require regular inspection and maintenance to prevent corrosion and ash blockage. Among the common types of ash cleaning methods, the contact cleaning method is the most effective, with manual cleaning being the most commonly used. However, working in confined spaces for manual cleaning exposes workers to harsh conditions and significant safety risks.

The main potential risks are as follows:
  1. Asphyxiation Risk. Due to inadequate internal ventilation, workers may face insufficient oxygen levels after entering, leading to asphyxiation.
  2. Poisoning Risk. Exhaust gases, smoke, and chemical cleaning agents produced during boiler operation and cleaning can be harmful if inhaled, potentially causing symptoms of poisoning.
  3. Collapse Risk. The process of cleaning ash may disturb unstable ash deposits within the structure, potentially leading to a partial collapse.
  4. Fire and Explosion Risk. In areas with significant dust accumulation, the presence of an open flame may result in an explosion.
  5. Mechanical Injury Risk. The use of tools in confined spaces during ash cleaning can result in mechanical injuries to workers.
  6. Working at Heights Risk. Cleaning tasks may require workers to climb or use ladders, which raises the risk of falls from heights.
  7. Environmental Risk. The high levels of dust in the environment pose a risk of workers developing pneumoconiosis after extended periods of exposure.

Even with the implementation of safety measures and personal protective equipment to protect workers, potential risks cannot be entirely avoided. To mitigate these risks, installing a saw-vibration type ash cleaning device on the air preheater can be highly effective.

air preheater clean device
This device offers the following significant advantages:
  1. Automatic Ash Cleaning: The device allows for ash cleaning without the need to shut down the boiler.
  2. Sawtooth Plates: The device uses lightweight, low-hardness sawtooth plates that are gentle on the tubes and prevent damage.
  3. Effective Ash Removal. It efficiently removes ash buildup at both ends of the tube plate, which is typically difficult to clean.
  4. Automated Control. The device is equipped with PLC automatic control and can be integrated into the DCS control system for remote operation.
  5. Customizable Solutions. The device’s specifications can be tailored according to the size of the air preheater and its actual operating conditions.

About Us

Shandong Bokk Tech is dedicated to solve the problem such as ash blockage, corrosion and excessive exhaust gas temperature in the tubular air preheater of small and medium-sized boilers. We primarily manufacture automatic cleaning devices for tubular air preheaters and corrosion-resistant heat pipes. Our products are widely used in the thermal power plants, chemical plants, new energy sector, etc.

We offer customized services to customers around the world, allowing us to adjust product dimensions and other specifications based on your specific needs, to improve air preheater heat efficiency.

Scroll to Top