Plant Cleaning Products
System cleaning products: essential solutions for efficiency and longevity
System cleaning products are fundamental for maintaining the efficiency, safety, and durability of thermohydraulic, HVAC, and water supply systems. These products are designed to remove deposits, scale, sediments, algae, bacteria, and other impurities that accumulate in pipes, tanks, and heat exchangers, compromising performance and increasing the risk of failures.
Regular maintenance using specialised system cleaning products not only improves energy efficiency and reduces operational costs but also prevents costly damage and extends the system’s lifespan
How system cleaning products work
System cleaning products operate through chemical or physical reactions that dissolve, disperse, or remove deposits that accumulate within installations. There are different types of products, each designed to treat specific types of contamination. Chemical products, for example, can include detergents, acids, alkalis, or biocides, each acting on particular types of dirt or microorganisms.
The cleaning process may vary depending on the system type and the product used. Generally, the product is introduced into the system and circulated for a set period, allowing the solution to act on deposits. Afterwards, the system is rinsed to remove the product and dissolved residues, leaving the installation clean and ready for use.
More advanced products may also include protective agents that help prevent new deposits from forming, keeping the system in optimal condition for longer.
Types of system cleaning products
There are different categories of system cleaning products, each designed for specific maintenance needs and operational conditions. The main types include:
- Heating system detergents: These products are formulated to remove sludge, rust, and limescale that accumulate in heating systems, compromising the efficiency of heat exchangers and radiators. Heating system detergents are often used before commissioning a new system or during periodic maintenance.
- Descaling products: Primarily used in hydraulic and water supply systems, these products prevent and remove limescale build-up in pipes and heat exchangers caused by hard water. Limescale accumulation can significantly reduce system efficiency and increase energy costs, making descaling products essential for regular maintenance.
- HVAC biocides: Designed to eliminate algae, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that thrive in humid environments such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, and air conditioning systems. The use of biocides is crucial for preventing issues such as Legionella, which poses a serious public health risk.
- Heat exchanger cleaners: Specifically formulated to remove deposits and scaling from heat exchangers, these cleaners ensure efficient heat transfer, reducing energy costs and preventing breakdowns. Heat exchanger cleaners can be acidic or alkaline, depending on the type of deposit to be removed.
- Boiler cleaning products: Used to remove combustion residues, soot, and scale from boiler circuits, improving combustion efficiency and reducing pollutant emissions. Regular boiler cleaning is essential to ensure safe and efficient system operation.
- Solar thermal system cleaning products: Solar thermal systems can accumulate limescale and other residues that reduce the efficiency of panels and heat exchangers. These specialised cleaning products help maintain high energy efficiency, extending the system's lifespan.
