Condenser Back Washing

1. Back washing of condenser is nothing but flushing out its tubes by water flow in reverse direction. Condenser will have isolation valves at inlet and outlet. For back washing, one tee connection of same size with butterfly valve is provided in inlet pipe between inlet valve and condenser. For doing back washing, close inlet valve and open the back washing valve suddenly for few minutes. Repeat this untill water comming out is clear. Keep check on the water pressure if other machines are on service.

2. Back washing of condenser help removing loose dust/mud/foreign matters sticking to tubes, but not the hard scales. So it improves cooling water flow and reduces pressure drop across tubes. Heat transfer improve marginally.

3. Water quality is the main factor to decide back washing.

4. Can see at 2 above. Deficiency in cooling performance, differential pressure across the tube bundle, water temp. rise and water flow rate.