Descaling of industrial equipment. Definition, methodology and advantages.

March 2023

Everything you need to know about descaling industrial equipment

Definition

The cleaning of equipment and pipes is essential to guarantee the correct functioning of industrial processes and to increase the useful life of the equipment.
One of the most effective methods of cleaning industrial lines and equipment is descaling, used to remove accumulations of dirt, rust, scale and other materials that adhere to surfaces.

We will explain everything you need to know about the descaling of industrial equipment, from its definition to its methodology and the benefits of carrying out the process with Lagupres.

Objectives of descaling

The main objective of industrial descaling is to maintain the efficiency and safety of equipment and pipelines.
Fouling can affect the flow of liquids and gases through equipment and lines and increase the risk of corrosion and equipment failure.
The removal of these fouling deposits can also improve the quality of the final product and reduce maintenance costs in both the short and long term.

In addition, in the case of heat exchangers, maintenance is very important to ensure proper heat transfer in cooling processes.

Methodology

Descaling is done by recirculating chemicals through the equipment.
Before starting the process, we carry out an assessment of the equipment or pipeline to determine which chemical(s) and process are suitable for the cleaning project.
It should be noted that descaling can be a delicate process that requires specific knowledge and experience to avoid damaging the surfaces of equipment and pipes. At Lagupres, we have extensive experience and training in chemical cleaning.

Working process

The descaling process generally begins with the preparation of the equipment or pipeline for cleaning, which usually includes the disassembly of certain parts of the equipment.
Chemicals are then applied to loosen and dissolve the scale, and specialised cleaning equipment is used to remove it.
Once this process is completed, an inspection is carried out to verify that all fouling has been properly removed.

Descaling of industrial equipment.

Advantages and benefits of Descaling

Descaling industrial equipment has several benefits:

  • improving the efficiency and safety of equipment and pipelines
  • reduce the risk of failure
  • increasing the service life of equipment
  • improve the quality of the product produced
  • reduce long-term maintenance costs

Differences between degreasing and descaling of industrial equipment:

Descaling consists, as mentioned above, of removing the accumulation of scale or deposits of dirt, rust, scale and other materials that have adhered to the surfaces of industrial equipment or piping. These incrustations can be caused by the accumulation of mineral salts, calcareous residues, the flow of corrosive liquids or the oxidation of metals, among others.

Degreasing, on the other hand, focuses on removing the build-up of grease and oil that has adhered to equipment surfaces. Fats, oils and greases can be caused by the use of lubricants and oils in equipment or by contact with food in the food industry.

In summary, the main difference between descaling and degreasing is the type of build-up that is being removed. While descaling focuses on removing scale and deposits, degreasing focuses on removing grease and oil.

While descaling focuses on removing scale and deposits, degreasing focuses on removing grease and oil.

If you need to perform a descaling on your equipment or get more technical information about the process, do not hesitate to contact us.