Introduction
In many cases, air fin benches are installed in an industrial environment.
The air is often very polluted in this type of environment.
Many of the pollutants in the environment therefore collect on the fins of the air fin benches, especially if they are kept in continuous use. These pollutants substantially reduce the capacity of the air fin benches. They also corrode the fins, as a chemical reaction occurs in the pollutants. The capacity of the air fin benches can be restored to a level that lies close to the design capacity by cleaning them in the right way. One can also apply an Alucoat(R) 507 corrosion-resistant coating to prevent the rapid attachment of pollutants. The specific approach of this cleaning method means that in most cases the air fin benches can be cleaned and coated without temporary shutdowns.
Before cleaning can be started one must take stock of and inspect the whole installation on the following points:
- setup
- accessibility
- bundle type and dimensions
- fin type and dimensions
- type and nature of fouling
- environmental situation with respect to
aspects such as water, electrical and air
connections
- possibilities for placing collection basins
- safety measures to be taken such as
placing locks, cordon tape and signs, etc.
- collection of coarse foulants under the
installations
- repair of minor damage caused by
folding fins flat and brushing them
- packing of the electromotors
- assembly of a collection basin
- pre-rinsing of the bundle
- foaming the bundle with Fin Fan Foam
- cleaning the bundle with high-pressure
warm water (350 bar)
- post-rinsing the bundle
- cleaning the installation plating
- cleaning the floor under and in the direct
vicinity of the installation
- removal of the ventilator motor guards
- removal of the collection basin
- application of Alucoat®507 on the fins
