Device and method for detecting fouling in a shell and tube heat exchanger
US6386272B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 28, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B7/06
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for calculating the degree of fouling in a heat exchanger having at least one longitudinal tube inside of a shell, the shell having a first heat exchange medium flowing inside the tube and a second heat exchange medium flowing across the outside surface of the tube. The apparatus includes a first temperature sensor, a device for determining the temperature of the tube at a first axial position of the tube, and a fouling detector. The first temperature sensor senses the temperature of the tube at a first axial position of the tube. The fouling detector calculates the degree of fouling in the tube based on the initial temperature difference between the temperature of the tube and the temperature of the first heat exchange medium in the tube at the first axial position, and a later temperature difference between the temperature of a surface of the tube and the temperature of the first heat exchange medium in the tube at the first axial position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.