Apparatus and method for intrachannel defouling of a heat exchanger using induction heaters
US10539382B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B2214/03
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus comprising a heat exchanger and one or more induction heating elements is disclosed. The heat exchanger comprises a coolant side conduit and a process side conduit, the process side conduit being susceptible to fouling by at least partial desublimation, condensation, crystallization, deposition, or combinations thereof of a fouling component of a circulating process fluid. An electrically conductive first metal is disposed adjacent to the process side conduit. The one or more induction heating elements are disposed proximate to the heat exchanger. The one or more induction heating elements are connected to a source of electrical current. When the electrical current flows through the induction heating elements, eddy currents are induced in the first metal, heating the first metal such that the fouling component sublimates, melts, absorbs, or a combination thereof into the circulating process fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.