Seascour is the 1st and only EPA Safer Choice-approved descaling solution

Custom Achievements is proud to offer Seascour the first and only EPA Safer Choice-For Outdoor Use approved descaling solution, revolutionizing maintenance with eco-friendly, effective solutions. This innovative formula improves equipment performance, reduces operational costs, and extends the life of critical machinery 

About Seacour

Seascour is a powerful organic scale remover that dissolves calcium, lime, seashells,

barnacles, mussels, and other hard water deposits in critical systems. The non-

corrosive and organic formula requires no special contractors or waste disposal

procedures and is safe for use in sensitive environments.

Fouling in heat exchangers is a costly challenge for industries that rely on efficient

heat transfer. Deposits that accumulate on heat exchanger surfaces reduce thermal

efficiency, drive up operational costs, and increase maintenance demands. This

article breaks down the true costs of fouling, from fuel consumption to unplanned

shutdowns, and offers strategies to minimize fouling-related expenses.

Increased Fuel and Energy Costs

As fouling increases, so does the energy required to maintain desired temperature

levels. Industries where heat exchangers operate continuously, like refineries and

power plants, experience significant fuel costs. For example:

 Thermal Efficiency Loss: When heat transfer is reduced, more energy is

needed to achieve target temperatures. This inefficiency forces plants to burn

additional fuel, driving up costs.

 Electricity for Pumping: Fouling restricts flow passages, increasing the

pressure drop across the heat exchanger. More pumping power is required,

leading to higher electricity costs.

A power plant experiencing heavy fouling might require up to 20% more fuel to

compensate for efficiency losses. Over time, this increase represents a substantial

financial burden.

2. Maintenance and Cleaning Expenses

Regular cleaning is essential to manage fouling, but these activities come at a cost.

Fouling forces operators to choose between frequent maintenance or accepting

lower efficiency. The maintenance costs include:

 Labor and Equipment Costs: Heat exchanger cleaning often requires

skilled labor and specialized equipment. Costs vary but can be substantial

depending on the cleaning method—chemical, mechanical, or online.

 Chemical Cleaning Supplies: Chemical cleaning involves solvents and

cleaning agents to dissolve deposits, adding to material costs. Disposal of

these chemicals incurs additional expenses.

 Downtime Costs: Planned maintenance requires production halts, resulting

in lost revenue. Unplanned maintenance, such as emergency cleaning, can be

even more costly.

3. Increased Capital Expenditure

To account for fouling, companies often design heat exchangers with larger surface

areas than theoretically required, increasing initial capital costs. These added costs

arise from:

 Additional Surface Area: Larger heat exchangers to account for fouling

resistance increase material and construction costs.

 Standby Equipment: In severe cases, facilities install additional units to

maintain operations while one exchanger undergoes cleaning. This

redundancy requires extra capital investment, space, and infrastructure.

According to a European Community study, fouling-related capital costs account

for up to 15% of total heat exchanger expenses. Although viewed as a necessary

precaution, this represents a significant financial burden.

4. Productivity and Throughput Losses

Fouling impedes production by reducing the heat exchanger’s ability to maintain

the optimal temperature and pressure levels. In industries where specific

temperature control is critical, such as chemical production and oil refining,

fouling-related inefficiencies result in:

 Reduced Yield Quality: Suboptimal heat transfer can result in inconsistent

product quality, requiring rework or quality control measures.

 Lower Throughput: Heat exchangers operating below optimal efficiency

may require slowing down processes to maintain product specifications,

reducing overall throughput.

 Emergency Shutdowns: Severe fouling can lead to unplanned shutdowns to

address excessive pressure drop or equipment failure. Emergency shutdowns

are costly and require full operational resets and additional maintenance.

For example, a refinery that typically produces 100,000 barrels a day might

experience a 10% reduction in output due to fouling, translating to significant lost

revenue.

Indirect Costs of Fouling

Beyond direct expenses, fouling introduces indirect costs that impact profitability

and operational efficiency.

1. Environmental Impact and Compliance Costs

Fouling increases emissions and introduces environmental compliance challenges:

 Increased Carbon Emissions: Higher fuel consumption to compensate for

fouling also increases CO₂ emissions. Facilities may face regulatory

penalties or need to invest in carbon offset programs.

 Waste Management: Cleaning generates chemical waste that must be

treated before disposal. Managing these byproducts and disposal fees adds to

fouling’s environmental burden.

 Potential Fines: Non-compliance with environmental standards can result in

fines, affecting both finances and brand reputation.

2. Health and Safety Risks

Fouling impacts workplace safety by increasing the likelihood of equipment failure

and chemical exposure:

 Corrosion and Structural Integrity: Deposits accelerate corrosion,

reducing the structural integrity of heat exchanger components. This can

pose a serious risk to personnel if components fail under high pressure.

 Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals: Maintenance workers may be exposed

to harsh cleaning agents used to remove fouling deposits. Additional safety

protocols, including PPE and specialized training, are necessary to protect

workers.

Strategies to Reduce Fouling Costs

Managing fouling requires preventive maintenance, operational adjustments, and

periodic cleaning.

1. Implement Regular Maintenance Schedules

Routine inspection and maintenance can reduce fouling accumulation. Facilities

should establish clear schedules based on fouling tendencies, using historical data

and performance monitoring. Key practices include:

 Online Monitoring: Sensors track temperature, pressure, and flow changes,

helping to detect fouling early.

 Pre-scheduled Cleaning: Plan cleaning during low-demand periods to

minimize productivity losses.

2. Optimize Operating Conditions

Small adjustments in operating conditions can impact fouling rates. Operators can

reduce fouling by:

 Controlling Fluid Temperature: Maintain temperatures within a range that

minimizes crystallization and biofouling. Higher temperatures generally

exacerbate fouling.

 Adjusting Flow Velocity: Increasing flow velocity can reduce particulate

and biological fouling, as faster flows discourage deposit buildup.

You can implement Seascour as part of your routine maintenance and significantly

reduce costs while improving efficiencies. Seascour is 100% organic, USDA

BioPreferred Certified and EPA Safer Choice Certified for use in the environment

– the first and only scale remover to achieve this certification! Seascour is 100%

non-corrosive and will protect your heat exchangers while cleaning them quickly

and safely.

Cleaning a heat exchanger/condenser without removing it offers several benefits, especially for critical systems that require continuous operation.

Reduced Downtime

Removing a heat exchanger for cleaning can take a significant amount of time, causing downtime for the entire system. Cleaning in place allows the system to remain operational while still being serviced. This is especially important in industries where downtime can result in production losses.

The future of Heat Exchanger/Condenser maintenance is here, and it’s safer, greener, and more efficient. Seascour Descaler is the first and only scale removal product on the market to earn a Safer Choice product label from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)*.

The EPA Safer Choice label helps consumers identify products that are safer

for families, workers, pets, and ecosystems. It encourages the development of greener,

safer formulations that meet high standards for both performance and environmental

impact. To earn the label, products must pass rigorous criteria, ensuring they are

effective and environmentally friendly.

The Safer Choice label is a reliable way to find products made with safer ingredients

without sacrificing performance. Every ingredient in products that carry the Safer Choice

label is reviewed by EPA scientists to make sure certified products only contain the

safest possible ingredients for people and the planet.

This certification signifies that Seascour meets the EPA's stringent standards for safety

and environmental responsibility, offering the power station industry a powerful, yetenvironmentally friendly, solution for cleaning and maintaining vessels and equipment.

Many traditional descalers contain harsh, toxic chemicals, including strong acids and

inorganic compounds. These substances can harm both human health and the environment.

For example, some descalers are phosphoric acid-based and claim to be safe for

environmental release. However, when discharged into water bodies, excess

phosphorus contributes to the growth of dense algal blooms. These blooms deplete

oxygen levels, disrupting ecosystems and threatening aquatic life.

Additionally, other strong acids like hydrochloric, muriatic, and sulfuric are commonly

found in descalers. These chemicals not only pose serious risks to workers but also

require specialized contractors, strict handling protocols, and careful waste disposal to

prevent harm.

In contrast, Seascour is an organic and biodegradable scale remover that contains no

inorganic acids. Seascour provides an effective, eco-friendly solution that is safer for

both people and the planet, earning it the prestigious EPA Safer Choice certification.

Seascour is the first and only descaler to earn the EPA Safer Choice label, pioneering a

new program category. This prestigious certification solidifies what already sets

Seascour apart from other scale removers: a powerful, groundbreaking descaling

solution with more positive environmental and human health characteristics than

conventional formulations.

Its organic, biodegradable formula provides a safer health profile for maintenance team

members and is non-corrosive to equipment. Seascour simplifies the descaling process

and, in many cases, reduces the need for specialized contractors—saving both time

and costs.

Seascour isn’t just safer and smarter for your operations. Here’s why:

• Lower Costs: No need for expensive contractors or

complex disposal processes.

• Less Downtime: Faster and more efficient descaling

means more time for other maintenance.

• Environmental Responsibility: Seascour’s safer,

biodegradable formula protects ecosystems.

Seascour is specifically designed for maintaining critical equipment. It effectively

removes scale from:

• Heat exchangers/Condensers

• Air conditioning systems

• Refrigeration units

• Cooling Towers

Seascour prevents clogging, reduces downtime, and extends equipment lifespan. It's

ideal for systems prone to scale buildup in both fresh and seawater, ensuring optimal

performance with minimal environmental impact.