Managing a passivation layer of a heat exchanger

A heat exchanger system comprising:

• a heat exchanger with a passivation layer formed on at least one surface of the heat exchanger;
• one or more burners positioned to apply heat to the heat exchanger;
• a blower positioned to blow air across the passivation layer of the heat exchanger;
• and
• an electronic processor configured to
• controllably operate the one or more burners to transmit heat to the heat exchanger for a first period of time, wherein operation of the one or more burners deposits corrosive condensates on the passivation layer of the heat exchanger,
• deactivate the one or more burners for a second period of time after expiration of the first period of time,
• operate one or more blowers to move air across the heat exchanger at a temperature that causes evaporation of the corrosive condensates on the passivation layer of the heat exchanger and increases an oxide thickness of the passivation layer on the heat exchanger after the expiration of the first period of time, and
• reactivate the one or more burners after expiration of the second period of time.

A method of operating a heat exchanger system, the method comprising:

• operating a burner to apply heat to a heat exchanger for a period of approximately 120 minutes, wherein operating the burner generates a combustion gas that deposits a corrosive condensate on a surface of the heat exchanger;
• after expiration of the period of approximately 120 minutes, deactivating the burner for period of approximately 30 seconds while operating a blower to move air across the heat exchanger at a temperature above a dew point of the combustion gas;
• and
• after expiration of the period of approximately 30 seconds, reactivating the burner to apply heat to the heat exchanger.