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FAQ

At American Efficiency Services, it is important to us to provide our clients with as much information as possible about the services we offer.

If you have basic questions about inspections, testing, tube cleaning, chemicals, leak detections, and more, check out our FAQ.

Contact us if you have more in-depth questions or want to discuss your next project. We are always here to provide the safest, highest quality services in the industry and that begins with thorough communication and understanding about the work we complete.

What Types Of Chiller Services Are Available?

We provide cleanings, heat exchanger descaling chemicals, pumping and neutralization of inhibited acids, and readying chillers for safe disposal in accordance with all local regulations. We utilize a highly engineered system for delivering and recirculating chemical solutions, including high-performance GDS units from Goodway Technologies. We additionally provide suggestions on repairs, performance results, and detailed statistics about when attention will need to be administered to your chiller. 

How can leakage in a condenser be detected?

Condenser tube leaks are detected via helium leak detector technology. Using helium as a tracer gas is precise and quick so only the tube(s) leaking are plugged and the condenser is back doing its job, operating efficiently and making the utility money.  

Can you repair a leaking condenser?

Yes, the tube(s) are extracted and a tube sheet plug is inserted into the blank tube sheet holes to ensure there is no cooling water contamination during operation. Since tubes should only be pulled from the condenser off-line, AES can have a helium inspection crew on-site during unit start-up to inspect any areas that have had tubes pulled to ensure the plugging is leak-free.  

How does eddy current testing work?

The most basic form of the Eddy Current Testing principle uses a single coil that is excited using alternating electrical currents. When the wire is excited, it produces an electromagnetic field around the coil. The electromagnetic field oscillates at the same frequency that runs through the coil. Introducing the coil to conductive material will create currents that are opposed to the ones in the coil and these currents are Eddy Current.  

A fault or break stops the Eddy-Current’s oscillation and the voltage will spike back to the original levels before the Eddy-Currents were introduced. The conductive material will not upset or change the spinning of Eddy-Currents but faults, cracks, and corrosion will so when the voltage jumps it typically means there is a fault in the material being tested.

What are the advantages of eddy current testing?

The test is extremely accurate and can test fault in pipes up to 0.5 millimeters; it can detect through coated materials; there is no need to clean the surface area; it is mobile and lightweight; there are no issues testing through layers; it can be automated; and the test will give you a conductivity reading and accurately tell you the materials in your wall.  

What types of damage can be detected with eddy current testing?

ID Pitting, OD pitting, ID corrosion, OD corrosion, axial cracking, and circumferential cracking.  

How does a Condenser Expansion Joint work?

A condenser expansion joint is meant to absorb expansion between the steam turbine and the condenser with minimal movements and changes being inflicted. It does this through the use of various parts, including studs, clamping bars, and steam shields. Our experts work diligently on these replacements to correct misalignments, repairs, etc. to keep them functioning properly.  

Why does my generator leak gas?

An Electrical Generator Hydrogen System leaks gas because its coolant is gaseous hydrogen. This has found to be the most effective way of cooling industrial heat. AES inspections ensure there are no excessive pockets of hydrogen building up around the unit, check any failures occurring, and emergency inspections occur with a catastrophic failure and the hydrogen loss exceeded the machine’s recommended amount.  

How do you use Helium Leak Detection?

Helium is applied to the various components within the vacuum boundary of a Turbine and/or Condenser system. A leaking component will allow the helium to enter the steam space and from there, the helium will be removed by the unit’s air removal system. As the helium is ejected from the system, the mass spectrometer registers an indication.  

What are the chemicals used for cleaning?

This heat exchanger descaling chemical process utilizes safe, yet powerful, acids to quickly dissolve deposits. We feature exclusively the ScaleBreak line from Goodway Technologies as part of our chemical cleaning because they work without the high corrosion rates associated with simple acids.

It is safe for use on a wide variety of metals, plastics and rubber and quickly helps to improve the operating efficiency and extend the life of your equipment. The advanced formulas are fortified with powerful low foaming, wetting and penetrating agents and superior corrosion inhibitors.  

How does a vacuum leak detector work?

When the air is allowed to be passed through the feed water system to the boiler, corrosive conditions will exist throughout the entire path of the system. If the dissolved oxygen levels remain high for a long period of time, the affected components’ life will decrease.  

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