Fouling remain among the biggest operational challenges in industrial boilers
Deposits on boiler tubes reduce the heat transfer. This is most severe in the case of firing of waste, biomass or other critical fuels. Resulting challenges are - increase of flue gas temperatures (most critcal: superheater inlet; boiler outlet) - need of manual explosion cleaning - increased corrosion rates - limited boiler service time and unplanned shutdown
The P-Wave Generator (PWG) was developed to solve exactly this problem — supersonic pressure waves remove deposits effectively, fully automatic and without detonation of explosives.
Technology
High-power supersonic pressure waves
Supersonic pressure waves are generated by combustion of propane with compressed air — no pure oxygen needed. These pressure waves are also called “power waves”, “shock waves” or “shock pulse”.
Fully automatic
An alternative to manual explosion cleaning. P-WAVE generators operate fully automatically and integrate into existing plant control systems. Overcome the safety and cost limitations of manual explosion cleaning systems.
Combustion without detonation of explosives
Super-high-pressure is generated by combustion of propane (~20 g/shot) mixed with highly compressed air (100 bar). The supersonic pressure wave is generated by the quick release of the pressure - the expansion of the gases is a separate process step independent of the combustion.
Adjustable pressure & power
Combustion pressures are typically set between 150 and 600 bar. The generator is designed and certified for 900 bar. Operators can program timing and strength, so cleaning is tuned to actual boiler requirements.
The power level and timing of the blasts are software settings in the controller — adjusted to match the actual fouling conditions. The blasts are typically released every two hours at pressures of 150–600 bar (certified to 900 bar).
“Can I change the strength and frequency of the pressure waves?”
“Yes — they’re settings in the controller. You can change them to adjust your dayly requirements. There is plenty of power reserve to reach the scheduled outage or increase of boiler load.”
Why P-Wave
Cleaning without contact, detonation or compromise
No detonation, no oxygen
New generation of powerful boiler cleaning! Supersonic pressure waves generated from combustion of propane with compressed air. No explosives or (pure) oxygen needed. Inherently safe and robust by design.
Fully automatic
Typically one programmed shot every ~2 hours, no operator presence required during operation. The P-WAVE controller cabinet (PLC) integrates with your DCS via hardwiring or bus connection.
Gentle on tubes
Least impacting option of boiler cleaning. No more damaging physical contact of hammers or steam/water jets with boiler tubes. Oxide layers remain untouched: Positive for reduced boiler tube corrosion rates!
Low operating cost
Very few consumables needed: 20 g of propane per blast as well as power for the compressor. This sums up per year to typically 100 kg propane and 1000 kWh (total of 500 €).
Stable flue gas temperatures
Consistently lower and stable flue gas temperatures before superheaters and at boiler outlet. Your gain: No more manual explosion cleaning, potential for increase of boiler load and service time.
Easy to maintain
Robust design for reliability and easy maintenance! Typically one overhaul per year with cost of 6000 € per generator. Potential to be reduced to 1500 € with training of local mantenance team.
From waste-to-energy lines across Europe to large coal-fired units in Asia, P-Wave generators are at work across four continents. Each marker is an installation site - regions shown are indicative.
150+P-Wave systems in operation
Number of sites
In operation
See a P-Wave generator at work
Installed and firing in real plants — no test rig, no animation.
Enter your operating profile and compare two P-Wave scenarios against your baseline — savings, generator count and payback. Indicative only; we follow up with a tailored review.
