The Economic Aspect of the Scale-Forming Dignostics Layers in Plate Heat Exchangers

Abstract

The reliability and efficiency component of the 3rd generation heat and power network is characterized by the use of heat exchange devices, namely the plate type. Its main function is to heat the coolant for the needs of hot water supply and heating systems. However, the peculiarities of the chemical composition of the heat carrier cause contamination of heat exchangers in the form of scale layers on the heating surfaces. The process of scale formation on the plates of heat exchangers is one of the key factors affecting the failure of equipment and an increase in the energy intensity of heat distribution points, which leads to a decrease in the quality of services provided and an increase in financial costs in the field of heat supply. In the course of the study, by summarizing the known data, a sequence is formed for calculating the transport costs for the operation of plate heat exchangers under various conditions of scale formation. At the same time, the influence of scale thickness on the total cost of pumping one square meter of coolant is taken into account. This allows comparing transportation costs and the cost of removing scale from heating surfaces (according to the accepted cleaning method) depending on the thickness of the salt-forming layer and cleaning periods. The results of the study confirm the feasibility of regular monitoring of the thickness of salt-forming layers in plate heat exchangers to reduce operating costs for pumping the coolant.