Cleaning sponge balls are essential maintenance elements of condenser tube cleaning system (CTCS) in industrial plants including thermoelectric
power plant. In this study, water impregnation properties of cleaning sponge balls were investigated to improve their cleaning efficiencies of CTCS. To increase water impregnation properties, the sponge balls were treated with aqueous solutions including solutes having hydrophilic functional groups, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(acrylic acid), acetic acid, and carboxymethyl cellulose etc.. After complete drying of the balls, the water impregnation properties were accessed by the number of compressions required to sink the balls into water. Compared to untreated balls, the water impregnation capabilities of the processed balls were increased as high as ~ 75%, likely due to improved hydrophilicity of the surface of the balls, affording cleaning sponge balls with improved cleaning efficiency.
Keywords: Cleaning sponge ball, CTCS, water impregnation capability, hydrophilicity