Steam generators play a critical role across refining, enhanced oil recovery as well as other energy and industrial processes. Over time, internal scale and mineral deposits can accumulate on heat transfer surfaces, reducing efficiency, restricting flow and increasing operational risk.
This form of steam generator fouling removal is a key driver for planned maintenance and long-term reliability.
Scale formation within steam generation systems is typically driven by water chemistry, operating temperature and pressure. If left unmanaged, deposits compromise heat transfer performance, increase fuel consumption and can lead to localised overheating, tube degradation and unplanned outages. Effective steam generator scale removal is therefore essential to maintaining safe and efficient operation.
Mechanical descaling of steam generators provides a controlled and highly effective method for restoring internal cleanliness and performance while minimising risk to the asset.
Mechanical descaling using incremental pigging techniques offers a repeatable, non-invasive alternative that is widely recognised for its effectiveness and low risk profile. When correctly engineered and executed, steam generator tube descaling removes internal deposits without compromising tube wall integrity or base material.
As a result, descaling steam generators using mechanical methods is increasingly preferred where asset protection, predictability and environmental control are priorities.
With over 20 years of worldwide experience, Cokebusters is recognised as a fired heater decoking company delivering specialist industrial decoking services to refineries and process facilities around the world.
Our service-led solution involves connecting a purpose-built Double Pumping Unit to the steam generator circuit. Incrementally sized mechanical pigs are propelled through the system using pressurised water supplied by the pumping unit, progressively removing scale and deposits from internal tube surfaces.
Each descaling run is carefully controlled and monitored by experienced Cokebusters personnel from the pumping unit’s on-board control room. This ensures consistent performance while maintaining full control over system pressures and flow rates throughout the mechanical descaling of steam generators.
Water is used as the driving medium to suspend and transport removed scale back to the pumping unit, where debris is recovered through a two-stage filtration process for responsible handling and disposal. This closed-loop approach minimises environmental impact and reduces the need for additional waste management processes.