Apparatus for the cleaning of high-pressure boilers

Abstract

An apparatus ( 1 ) for the cleaning of a boiler ( 2 ) by means of a cleaning fluid ( 3 ), with at least one cleaning appliance ( 4 ) which comprises means for aligning a fluid distribution device ( 5 ) with inner regions of the boiler ( 2 ), the at least one cleaning appliance ( 4 ) being surrounded by a container ( 6 ) and being mountable onto a connecting nipple ( 8 ) of the boiler ( 2 ) by means of at least one connection piece ( 7 ). Particularly preferred application possibilities and operating methods are also explained.

1 . An apparatus ( 1 ) for the cleaning of a boiler ( 2 ) by means of a cleaning fluid ( 3 ), with at least one cleaning appliance ( 4 ) which comprises means for aligning a fluid distribution device ( 5 ) with inner regions of the boiler ( 2 ), the at least one cleaning appliance ( 4 ) being surrounded by a container ( 6 ) and being mountable onto a connecting nipple ( 8 ) of the boiler ( 2 ) by means of at least one connection piece ( 7 ). 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , the apparatus ( 1 ) being connectable to a pressure increasing plant ( 9 ), by means of which the pressure in the container ( 6 ) can be varied. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , the fluid distribution device ( 5 ) being designed to be movable or pivotable at least through the at least one connection piece ( 7 ). 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , the fluid distribution device ( 5 ) comprising a flexible hose ( 10 ) which can be arranged on a hose drum ( 11 ), and the hose drum ( 11 ) being provided in the container ( 6 ). 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , the fluid distribution device ( 5 ) comprising a flexible hose ( 10 ) which can be moved through the at least one connection piece ( 8 ) by means of a drive ( 12 ), and the drive ( 12 ) being provided in the container ( 6 ). 
   
   
       6 . A plant ( 13 ), comprising:
 at least one boiler ( 2 ) for the treatment of a gas at high pressure and high temperature, in which at least one heat exchange surface ( 14 ) is provided in the boiler ( 2 );   at least one apparatus ( 1 ) for the cleaning of a boiler ( 2 ) by means of a cleaning fluid ( 3 ), with at least one cleaning appliance ( 4 ) which includes means for aligning a fluid distribution device ( 5 ) with inner regions of the boiler ( 2 ), the at least one cleaning appliance ( 4 ) being surrounded by a container ( 6 ) and being mountable onto a connecting nipple ( 8 ) of the boiler ( 2 ) by means of at least one connection piece ( 7 ); and   a corresponding connecting nipple ( 8 ) provided on the outside of the boiler ( 2 ), the fluid distribution device ( 5 ) being positionable such that it can convey the cleaning fluid ( 3 ) onto the at least one heat exchange surface ( 14 ).   
   
   
       7 . The plant ( 13 ) as claimed in  claim 6 , the boiler ( 2 ) having a plurality of connecting nipples ( 8 ), and at least one apparatus ( 1 ) being alignable with a plurality of connecting nipples ( 8 ). 
   
   
       8 . The plant ( 13 ) as claimed in  claim 6 , closing means ( 15 ) being provided on the at least one connecting nipple ( 8 ). 
   
   
       9 . The plant ( 13 ) as claimed in  claim 6 , at least sensors ( 16 ) for determining a degree of contamination of the heat exchange surface ( 14 ) or the ambient conditions in the boiler ( 2 ) being provided. 
   
   
       10 . The plant ( 13 ) as claimed in  claim 6 , a control unit ( 17 ) being provided for at least one of the following functions: supply of the cleaning fluid ( 3 ), positioning of the apparatus ( 1 ) with respect to the boiler ( 2 ), variation of the ambient conditions in the container ( 6 ), detection of operating data of the boiler ( 2 ). 
   
   
       11 . A method for the cleaning of a plant ( 13 ) which is in operation, with at least one boiler ( 2 ) for the treatment of a gas at high pressure and high temperature, with at least the following steps:
 (a) adapting an ambient condition in the container ( 6 ) of an apparatus ( 1 ) to the ambient condition in the boiler ( 2 ), the apparatus ( 1 ) constructed and arranged to clean the at least one boiler ( 2 ) by means of a cleaning fluid ( 3 ), with at least one cleaning appliance ( 4 ) which includes means for aligning a fluid distribution device ( 5 ) with inner regions of the boiler ( 2 ), the at least one cleaning appliance ( 4 ) being surrounded by the container ( 6 ) and being mountable onto a connecting nipple ( 8 ) of the at least one boiler ( 2 ) by means of at least one connection piece ( 7 );   (b) connecting the container ( 6 ) to the boiler ( 2 ) via the connection piece ( 7 ) and the connecting nipple ( 8 );   (c) alignment of the fluid distribution device ( 5 ) with inner regions of the boiler ( 2 );   (d) conveyance of a cleaning fluid ( 3 ) onto the inner regions of the boiler ( 2 ).   
   
   
       12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , at least one of the following steps comprising the ending of the cleaning operation:
 (e) identification of a cleaning condition;   (f) positioning of the fluid distribution device ( 5 ) in the container ( 6 ) in a latching position;   (g) separation of the container ( 6 ) from the boiler ( 2 ) via the connection piece ( 7 ) and the connecting nipple ( 8 );   (h) adaptation of the ambient condition in the container ( 6 ) to the external surroundings of the plant ( 13 ).   
   
   
       13 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , the container ( 6 ) being provided in step (a) with a pressure of at least 30 bar. 
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , the container ( 6 ) being loaded in step (a) with nitrogen gas. 
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , the cleaning fluid ( 3 ) used being a liquid, this being introduced at an overpressure of 1 to 10 bar with respect to the pressure in the boiler ( 2 ).