Influência de Incrustações na Eficiência de Trocadores de Calor: O Caso da Perda de Produtividade em Hidrelétricas

Abstract

Heat exchangers are widely used in industrial processes, including hydroelectric plants, where they are employed to control the temperature of systems that generate heat during energy production. This work evaluates the influence of fouling on the efficiency of heat exchangers, focusing on productivity losses in hydroelectric plants. The study proposes the application of an automated mechanical cleaning process to eliminate or minimize the loss of efficiency in heat exchangers in the cooling system of hydraulic generators. The research was conducted at the Balbina Hydroelectric Plant, where the impacts of fouling on thermal efficiency and plant productivity were analyzed. The results indicate that automated cleaning significantly reduces maintenance shutdowns, increasing system efficiency and productivity.