NRS Standard & Procedure EGB
(Plain Tube Design) Cleaning
Methods
Norddeutsche Reederei H. Schuldt
Fleet Management
Harald Prange
04.06.2013
NRS Standards & Procedures EGB (Plain Tube Design) Cleaning Methods
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NRS Standard & Procedure
EGB (Plain Tube Design) Cleaning
Methods
Purpose
Same as informed within the SEEMP (released 18th December, 2012) and as informed within
the Technical Controlling Letter dated 13th November 2012 NRS must focus intensively on the
boiler performance since it bears one major share of ship efficiency.
While slow & super slow steaming, in particular in cold climate, a clean condition of the
boiler smoke tubes helps significantly to safe lots of fuel.
The purpose of this instruction is to provide the NRS fleet with a detailed instruction for
EGB cleaning. This instruction is limited to cleaning of smoke tubes of plain designs.
The Dry Cleaning tool chosen by NRS, the FERRET is on its way to the fleet.
The instruction for wet cleaning of boilers with a finned tube design is a different issue and it
will be provided with a separate procedure.
Instruction for NRS Exhaust and Auxiliary Boiler (Smoke Tube) Dry Cleaning
This instruction is a guide line for dry – cleaning of smoke tubes (plain tube design).
The procedure is the result of satisfying tests onboard of some NRS vessel equipped with
smoke tube boilers.
The results are now transferred to all NRS boilers with a plain smoke tube design irrespective
whether they have vertical or horizontal design.
Performance Trend Indication by differential pressure reading on exhaust gas side
It is essential to monitor the fouling by differential pressure measurements of clean and dirty
boiler with an U- tube manometer, as well the outlet exhaust gas temperature.
Therefore a reference value needs to be taken at a specific ME load.
Later on this reference value can be compared with the current difference pressure value or
exhaust gas temperature. Even a small difference to the reference value may give a hint of
soot build up and necessary cleaning.
Despite of these regular readings it is necessary to carry out a detailed inside inspection of
boiler smoke tubes on a regular base.
Please refer to the corresponding set maintenance requirement in GLSM (PMS System).
Required Inspection Sequence: monthly
3 NRS Standard & Procedure EGB (Plain Tube Design) Cleaning Methods
Max. allowed Soot Layer thickness: 2 mm
Preparation for cleaning
1. Check the equipment on board (complete?) Proper condition? Right size of brushes ?
2. Stop main engine and secure against starting
3. Open the manhole cover at upper part
4. Ventilate the boiler until the CO² level is within acceptable range as specified within the
NRS safe entry permit regulations
5. NRS entry permit regulations to be followed at all times. Please confer to NRS VA-028
and corresponding CL-020
6. NRS recommend that always at least two crew member have to carry out the boiler
cleaning
7. They have to wear always proper PPE facemask with filter, gloves etc.
8. Put a plank on top of the tubes to have safe working platform
9. The boiler temperature during cleaning should not become less than 60°C, it is not
necessary to drain the water from the boiler, however, the steam pressure should be
reduced to nearby 0 bar
10. During the cleaning process some dust is blown to the chimney top by natural
ventilation. About 90% of the soot will fall down to the exhaust gas siphon which is below
the EGB
11. It is necessary to ensure that the soot will fall into the siphon below the Exhaust gas
Boiler
Any contamination of exhaust gas turbo chargers has to be strictly avoided as that may
lead to damages of turbo chargers
12. After cleaning of the exhaust boiler remove the soot from siphon and exhaust gas trunk,
by manual cleaning
13. Furthermore please make sure that the water drain of the M/E exhaust gas piping at
Siphon is kept clean – not any soot to fall inside the drain piping, appropriate covering
prior to cleaning to be considered, the drain piping itself to be well inspected in regard to
free flow after cleaning was finished
14. Experience gained show that the required time for a smoke tube boiler with 640 tubes
should not exceed 6 hours, thus substantial time can be saved with this new cleaning tool
Below described procedures in respect to ordering and cleaning as such are to be taken into
account accordingly.
Ordering of Dry Cleaning tool Brushes
It is important to order the right diameter and amount of brushes. For example for a smoke
tube boiler with 640 tubes about 3 brushes are needed due to wear down of the brushes
during cleaning process. Therefore it is essential to state the smoke tube diameter by placing
the respective order. Only by choosing the right brush diameter the brush is matching
perfectly to the actual boiler tube to be cleaned. To ensure the brush will move it needs a
certain higher diameter then the tube diameter as it needs a certain tension inside the tube.
NRS Standards & Procedures EGB (Plain Tube Design) Cleaning Methods
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The initial set consists of a set of 10 brushes.
Cleaning
1. Connect the brush to the vibrator
2. Connect the vibrator to the pressure hose
3. Start the cleaning by positioning the brush on top of one smoke tube
4. If the vibrator is powered by 7 bar air pressure the brush will automatically move down
wards the tube by vibration and gravity. Please note that the brush will pull strong
on the hose when it starts to clean
5. If the brush reached the end of the tube the traction at the hose will drop. Then just pull
and the brush will move upwards
6. If the brush is at the upper end of the tube again, please position the brush at next tube
until all tubes are clean
7. Important: Please always keep the LUBRICATOR of the dry cleaning tool sufficiently
filled with suitable oil to avoid any early wear or damage of the dry cleaning tool
( “Ferret” )
Safety
1. Close main steam valve
2. Close feed water valve
3. Close main valve of standstill heating system
4. Please consider that soot dust is an aggressive substance and will react together with
water to sulphuric acid. The Eyes must be well protected at any time
5. Proper working clothes covering the skin entirely to be worn
6. Open ventilation valve to prevent vacuum in boiler, after cleaning during heat up of
boiler , keep the valve open until steam is coming out , to drain the air proper
Supporting Document
Cleaning Manual Ferret Jet Clean
