Enhancing Condenser Tube Cleaning through Innovative Technology

NCMS Project #: 141053

Problem: Condensers on commercial vessels are often in confined spaces that present additional challenges to effectively clean condenser tubes.  The current process for cleaning tubes involves a crew of four people per high-pressure lance.  If initial cleaning is not deemed sufficient, additional cleaning could be required, adding cost and time to the maintenance evolution.  The Navy seeks to rectify this labor-intensive process by demonstrating technology and process solutions that are safer and more efficient.

Benefit: This project and its associated tasks will provide an ideal platform to demonstrate universal capabilities in condenser cleaning across a broad spectrum of industries and depots.

Solution/Approach: The overarching objective of this effort is to develop and demonstrate condenser cleaning systems with automatic feeding and positioning systems that meet the space and interference requirements of shipboard work for both commercial and naval vessels.

Impact on Warfighter:

  • Mitigate safety and health risks
  • Reduce shipboard maintenance labor, time and associated costs
  • Improve warfighter performance, readiness and lethality

DOD Participation:

  • Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

Industry Participation:

  • StoneAge Inc.
  • TeryDon Inc.
  • NCMS

Benefit Area(s):

  • Cost savings
  • Positive environmental impact
  • Safety
  • Improved readiness

Focus Area:

  • Energy, environmental, health, and safety

Final Report