Steam Blowing

Cleaning by steam blowing is carried out essentially for steam circuits (i.e for steam generating boilers, steam heated exchangers, steam turbine upstream piping or other steam lines). Due to problems of condensation of steam or draining of condensate, this type of cleaning has to be used with utmost care, as it can potentially create vacuum in he equipments being cleaned.

The purpose of blowing or cleaning the steam lines prior to starting up a new unit is to remove any foreign matter remaining in the equipment (i.e super heater) and steam piping after installation is completed.

On older units the need for steam line blowing should considered following major pressure parts repairs, where the possibility of introduction of foreign material into the systems exist.