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Posted by Doug Criner on September 25, 2008 at 18:54:43:
I have an older, steel, fire-tube boiler. Natural-gas fired. Kewanee. Works fine.
I have a large wire brush, the same diameter as the fire tubes, on a rod. Once a year, I've been brushing out the fire tubes. I get some fine rust, about the grade of face powder - nothing more.
Am I doing good or harm? I suppose it improves the heat transfer a little, but maybe just results in more corrosion on the fireside?
I'm thinking that the most vulnerable areas, for leaking, on the fire tubes may be where they are rolled into the tubesheets? - the brushing on the tube walls might not be a big concern? (There is no leaking after nearly 60 years.)
I have no way of inspecting the watersides.
Doug