There have been no generally agreed upon practices regarding preoperational chemical cleaning of new heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs). Some have been cleaned only with warm detergent solutions while others are cleaned using alkaline detergents followed by iron oxide removal and passivation stages. Thorough inspection and monitoring of waterside surfaces from fabrication through commissioning are necessary to assess unit cleanliness. However, these activities are sometimes neglected. In some cases, there is no contingency plan should inspection reveal fouled or corroded surfaces. Poor waterside cleanliness has caused startup delays and problems during subsequent operation. This paper summarizes the recommended requirements for both companies that plan to clean and for those companies that do not expect to clean.

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