Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Using solid work treating agents
Patent
1978-05-15
1980-06-17
Fisher, Richard V.
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Using solid work treating agents
134 10, 1510404, 165 95, 165DIG13, B08B 100, B08B 906
Patent
active
042082200
ABSTRACT:
The invention is an apparatus and method for cleaning outsides of heat exchange tubes mounted transversely to the vertical flow of seawater in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion plants. The invention comprises a number of small floating objects circulating in the seawater flow which randomly clean outside surfaces of heat exchange tubes. The floating objects are made of buoyant plastic foam encased in polyethylene or other material selected to maximize cleaning but minimize wear on the outside surfaces of the tubes. The preferred shape of the floating objects is generally fusiform, altered to have erratic motion in seawater flow. Appendages may trail from the floating objects to increase the randomness of the cleaning action.
The flow of seawater is arranged to provide a constantly circulating path for the floating objects to rise through slow downward flow and to fall with greater downward flow velocity. Screens located above and below the heat exchanger prevent the floating objects from escaping. The screens have holes large enough to permit easy removal of worn floaters. The avoidance of symmetry in the orientation of the heat exchange tubes aids flow rate variation and consequently the random deflections of the floating objects.
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Fisher Richard V.
The Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii
Wray James C.
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