Method for negating deposits using turbulence
US10247494B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 10, 2017 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF28G9/005
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for preventing fouling of an operating heat exchanger is disclosed. A carrier liquid is provided to the heat exchanger. The carrier liquid contains a potential fouling agent. The potential fouling agent is entrained in the carrier liquid, dissolved in the carrier liquid, or a combination thereof. The potential fouling agent fouls the heat exchanger by condensation, crystallization, solidification, desublimation, reaction, deposition, or combinations thereof. A gas-injection device is provided on the inlet of the heat exchanger. A non-reactive gas is injected into the carrier liquid through the gas-injection device. The non-reactive gas will not foul the heat exchanger surface and will not condense into the carrier liquid. The non-reactive gas creates a disturbance by increasing flow velocity and creating a shear discontinuity, thereby breaking up crystallization and nucleation sites on the surface of the heat exchanger. In this manner, fouling of the operating heat exchanger is prevented.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.