Mitigation of in-tube fouling in heat exchangers using controlled mechanical vibration

Fouling of heat exchange surfaces is mitigated by a process in which a mechanical force is applied to a fixed heat exchanger to excite a vibration in the heat exchange surface and produce shear waves in the fluid adjacent the heat exchange surface. The mechanical force is applied by a dynamic actuat...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors GEORGE A. LUTZ, HIMANSHU M. JOSHI, GLEN B. BRONS, SAN CHHOTRAY, JULIO D. LOBO, LIMIN SONG
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 27.01.2011
Subjects
BLASTING
DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OFGENERAL APPLICATION
HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS,IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
HEATING
LIGHTING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
WEAPONS
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Fouling of heat exchange surfaces is mitigated by a process in which a mechanical force is applied to a fixed heat exchanger to excite a vibration in the heat exchange surface and produce shear waves in the fluid adjacent the heat exchange surface. The mechanical force is applied by a dynamic actuator coupled to a controller to produce vibration at a controlled frequency and amplitude output that minimizes adverse effects to the heat exchange structure. The dynamic actuator may be coupled to the heat exchanger in place and operated while the heat exchanger is on line.
Bibliography:Application Number: AU20070254263