Online heat exchanger cleaning system with connected cleaning elements

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018209751-A1
Application number	US-201815928822-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 22, 2018
Priority date	Oct 24, 2014
Publication date	Jul 26, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

An online cleaning system for tube and shell heat exchangers is presented. The system includes a positioner, a plunger, an umbilical cleaner, and a motor. The cleaning system cleans the tubes while the heat exchanger remains in operation. The cleaning system locates and isolates a single tube via rotating and translating mechanical actions and inserts the umbilical cleaner into the tube, which may clean the tube via rotational movement or via sonication. The cleaning system may further clean the outer surface of the tubes of the heat exchanger.

First claim

1 : An online cleaning system with connected cleaning elements configured to clean an online tube and shell heat exchanger comprising:
a positioner that locates and isolates a tube of the online tube and shell heat exchanger, wherein the positioner includes an annular rail sliding on a fixed rail support fixed on a face of the online tube and shell heat exchanger, an angular selector that rotates the annular rail to a rotational position according to a (r, θ) coordinate selection system; a plunger that is connected to the positioner that is configured to attach to the tube of the online tube and shell heat exchanger while the online tube and shell heat exchanger is online; and a plurality of cleaning elements connected by a cable that is configured to pass through the plunger and into the tube of the online tube and shell heat exchanger and is mechanized by circulation of a fluid passing through the tube while the online tube and shell heat exchanger is in operation.

2 . (canceled)

3 . (canceled)

4 : The online cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein:
the circulation of the fluid passing through the tube creates a rotation action by a turbine present on each of the plurality of cleaning elements to clean the tube.

5 : The online cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein:
the plunger includes a motor positioned to extend a length of the plunger; the plunger comprises a soft material at a base configured to seal with a base plate of the heat exchanger; and the plunger connects the tube to an external circulation system.

6 : The online cleaning system of claim 5 , wherein the flow rate of the fluid controls a rotational rate of a rotational brush present on each of the plurality of cleaning elements.

7 . (canceled)

8 : The online cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein:
the plurality of cleaning elements comprises at least one from the group consisting of a non-rotating element; an ultrasonic resonator; a nozzle; and a wire brush.

9 : The online cleaning system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a filter attached externally to the online tube and shell heat exchanger, wherein the filter is configured to filter contaminates from the fluid.

10 . (canceled)

11 : The online cleaning system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a diagnostic tool fitted to the online cleaning system.

12 - 13 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Univ King Fahd Pet & Minerals

Inventors

• Alsadah Jihad Hassan
• Mokheimer Esmail M A

Classifications

• F28G3/04 Primary

  having brushes (brushes A46B) · CPC title

• F28G15/02

  Supports for cleaning appliances, e.g. frames · CPC title

• A46B13/02

  power-driven {carriers} · CPC title

• F28G15/08

  Locating position of cleaning appliances within conduits · CPC title

• F28G1/16

  using jets of fluid for removing debris (F28G1/12 takes precedence) · CPC title