Case Study — Food Industry

Technical Case Study — Chemical Descaling of CEVITAL Boilers

This case study presents the intervention by AquaKem for the chemical descaling of the boilers at the CEVITAL sugar refinery. The product used was AquaPick 1200, an inhibited acid formulation specifically designed to efficiently dissolve limescale deposits while protecting metal surfaces against corrosion.

CEVITAL sugar refinery boilers before chemical descaling with AquaPick 1200 AquaPick 1200 — Chemical descaling

Client Context

  • Client: CEVITAL — Utilities Department
  • Installation: 6 boilers, 20 MT each
  • Challenge: Heavy scaling deposits, reduced heat transfer, increased energy consumption

Previously, descaling was carried out mechanically, leading to:

  • Extended shutdowns
  • High costs
  • Risk of mechanical damage
CEVITAL industrial boiler installation

CEVITAL Boilers — Utilities Department

Intervention Objectives

The goals set for this intervention were:

  • Reduce downtime through an efficient chemical process
  • Minimize corrosion of metal surfaces
  • Optimize costs and improve operational efficiency

Methodological Approach

  • Deposit analysis — Sampling and characterization of scale
  • Laboratory studies — Solubility tests with various products and concentrations, corrosion rate measurement
  • Product selection — AquaPick 1200 chosen for its efficiency and corrosion inhibition
The product AquaPick 1200 was selected following laboratory studies for its effectiveness in dissolving limescale deposits and its corrosion inhibition capability.

On-site Implementation

AquaPick 1200

Inhibited acid formulation for boiler chemical descaling

  • Product used: AquaPick 1200
  • Concentration: 30% aqueous solution
  • Procedure: Solution circulation, pH and conductivity monitoring, neutralization, and final rinsing

Procedure Overview

The AquaPick 1200 solution, prepared at a concentration of 30% in aqueous solution, was circulated through the boilers. The pH and conductivity of the solution were continuously monitored throughout the intervention, followed by a neutralization step and a final rinse of the systems.

Results Achieved

The AquaKem intervention with AquaPick 1200 delivered the following results on the CEVITAL boilers:

Deposits completely dissolved, boilers restored to optimal condition

Downtime reduced by over 60% compared to mechanical descaling

Significant savings on labor and indirect costs

No corrosion detected after inspection

Comparison: Mechanical vs. Chemical Descaling

Criteria Mechanical Chemical (AquaPick 1200)
Downtime Duration Very Long Reduced by 60%
Cost High Optimized
Corrosion Risk Low but mechanical risks Very low thanks to inhibitors
Efficiency Partial Complete

Conclusion

The use of AquaPick 1200 allowed the CEVITAL sugar refinery to move away from a costly and time-consuming mechanical method, opting instead for a fast, effective, and safe chemical solution.

AquaKem has thus demonstrated its technical expertise and its ability to deliver significant added value to its client.