IMPULSE Engineer

IMPULSE® Cleaning System

Maximise plant availability and MWe output with RJM’s IMPULSE® technology.

Advanced Pulse Detonation Technology

The RJM IMPULSE® Cleaning System is a sophisticated development of pulse detonation technology. It generates a supersonic shock wave through the controlled detonation of a fuel and air mixture to dislodge material build-up on boiler surfaces.

Unlike conventional cleaning methods, IMPULSE® operates as a non-line-of-sight system. The pulse waves wrap around tubes and reach deep into complex geometries, removing stubborn deposits without the erosive damage associated with steam soot blowers.

Why Choose IMPULSE®?

With over 391 units installed across 77 power plants globally, IMPULSE® is the proven choice for utility, Energy from Waste (EfW), and biomass operators looking to extend generation campaigns and reduce maintenance overheads.

Operating the IMPULSE system

Key Benefits of IMPULSE®

  • Zero Tube Erosion By eliminating high-pressure steam and water, IMPULSE® removes the risk of tube thinning and erosion, significantly extending the lifecycle of your heat transfer surfaces.

  • Increased Exported Power The system does not scavenge plant steam. This allows 100% of generated steam to be directed to the turbine, directly increasing your net MWe output and revenue.

  • Superior Cleaning Coverage The supersonic shock wave provides comprehensive cleaning in areas where soot blowers cannot reach, ensuring stable differential pressure throughout the boiler.

  • Low Operational Costs Designed with no moving parts inside the boiler, the system requires minimal maintenance and has a significantly lower OPEX than shock pulse or steam-based competitors.

  • Rapid Installation & Small Footprint The compact, self-contained design allows for easy retrofitting on existing boilers with minimal structural modification required.

IMPULSE Engineer
IMPULSE Cleaning Unit

Proven Performance: Plant firing waste wood in the UK

In 2024, RJM installed eleven IMPULSE® units at a waste wood gasification plant in the UK, followed by a further five units in 2025. The results delivered a step-change in operational performance:

  • 1 MWe increase in net power output.

  • 5% improvement in gasifier availability.

  • 19 additional days of generation per annum.

  • Record-breaking run of 140 continuous days of operation.

 

Optimise Performance with IMPULSE® Cleaning

Fuel combustion
Advanced Solutions for Boiler Ash Fouling and Slagging

Address the root causes of slagging and fouling with RJM’s bespoke engineering. From combustion solutions to IMPULSE® cleaning, we provide integrated solutions that extend generation campaigns, maximise MWe output, and reduce the need for manual cleaning interventions.

Boiler Ash Fouling and Slagging
IMPULSE control panel
IMPULSE Cleaning® System

The IMPULSE® Cleaning System is a development of the pulse detonation propulsion technology pioneered by GE. It uses a pulsed supersonic shock wave, created by the detonation of a mixture of fuel and air, to dislodge material that has built up on surfaces within the boiler.

IMPULSE® Cleaning System
IMPULSE Engineer
IMPULSE® vs Shock Wave Cleaning Technology

Evaluate the operational advantages of IMPULSE® over high-maintenance shock pulse systems. This comparison highlights how our pulse-combustion technology delivers more consistent cleaning performance with significantly lower operating costs and reduced mechanical wear on your plant.

IMPULSE® vs Shock Pulse Cleaning
IMPULSE Cleaning Unit
Comparing IMPULSE® Cleaning with Traditional Soot Blowers

Discover why IMPULSE® technology offers a superior, non-erosive alternative to steam soot blowers. Learn how to eliminate tube erosion, reduce steam consumption, and improve cleaning coverage across all heat transfer surfaces for enhanced boiler reliability.

IMPULSE® vs Soot Blowers

Technical Specifications

  • Fuel Compatibility: Any fuel which generateis fouling deposits, including waste wood, biomass, black bag waste, Refuse Derived Fuels, EfW,  “dirty” gases such as Coke Oven Gas, coal and Heavy Fuel Oil.

  • Application: Utility boilers, HRSGs, industrial boilers, and Energy from Waste #plants.

  • Safety: Proprietary detonation technology ensures negligible recoil and maximum structural integrity.

  • Automation: Fully integrated control systems for autonomous online cleaning cycles.

 

IMPULSE Cleaning System Controls
Schiller Power Station

Ready to Optimise Your Plant?

RJM International provides full-service support, from initial combustion audits and CFD modelling to installation and long-term performance monitoring.

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