The heat exchanger's performance level may decline over a period of time.

For cleaning heat exchanger that can be on-site and off-site.

There are three methods for cleaning plate heat exchangers:

1-removing the plates from the exchanger for mechanical or chemical cleaning.

The first method can be performed either on-site by or under the guidance of qualified field service personnel or off-site in a qualified PHE service centre.

The procedure of this method requires the plates to be removed from the exchanger and cleaned either on-site or off-site.

2-back flushing the exchanger by crossover piping

The second method is normally conducted by the reverse flow of the liquids in a pre installed pipe arrangement.

This method will only back flush a certain percentage of the deposited material and eventual opening of the unit would be required. The main advantage is to extend the time between full plate cleaning.

3-Chemical cleaning of the plates while still installed in the exchanger.

The third method which offers an alternative to external cleaning is chemical cleaning of the plates while installed in the exchanger.

Cleaning-in-place (CIP) is a common convenient procedure in chemical cleaning. CIP is an economical method of maintaining the exchanger at peak performance and extending its operating life.

Common cleaning agents for encrusted scale and sedimentation include: Hot water Nitric, Sulphuric, Sulphamic, Citric or Phosphoric acid.