Cleaning device and method for cleaning of heat exchangers

Abstract

Provided is a cleaning apparatus for cleaning a finned type heat exchanger, having a distributing device ( 720 ) for distributing and applying cleaning medium (W, S, D) on the side surfaces of the fins, wherein said distributing device ( 720 ) is disposed transversely to the extension of the side surfaces of the fins, wherein an outlet side ( 730 ) of the distributing device ( 720 ) has a number of metering openings ( 73, 73 ′), adapted to the spacing of the fins, wherein at least one metering opening ( 73, 73 ′) is disposed between two successive fins. Also provided is a method for cleaning a finned type heat exchanger, including applying a cleaning medium (W, S, D) on the side surfaces of the fins by means of a cleaning apparatus according to the invention, wherein the method includes the steps of disposing a distributing device ( 720 ) of said cleaning apparatus transversely to the extension of the side surfaces of the fins, and initiating a cleaning sequence including applying said cleaning medium (W, S, D) on the side surfaces of the fins.

1 . A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a finned type heat exchanger, comprising:
 a distributing device for distributing and applying cleaning medium on the side surfaces of the fins, wherein said distributing device is disposed transversely to the extension of the side surfaces of the fins, wherein an outlet side of the distributing device comprises a number of metering openings, adapted to the spacing of the fins, wherein at least one metering opening is disposed between two successive fins.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one metering opening is disposed between each of the fins. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said distributing device comprises a space having an inlet for the cleaning medium and a plurality of outlets for uniformly distributing the cleaning medium, wherein said outlets are smaller in area than the inlet. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said outlets comprise said metering openings. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said distributing device has an elongated shape, that the metering openings are disposed such that the spray characteristic of the metering openings distributes the cleaning medium along the longitudinal extension of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said metering openings comprise metering holes, which have a diameter of 0.2-1.5 mm, and have a spacing of 2-20 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said metering openings comprise metering slits, which have a width of 0.1-1.5 mm and have a spacing of 2-20 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said distributing device is at least upwardly surrounded by a cover. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said distributing device comprises a distribution box for the purpose of minimizing the quantity of cleaning medium therein. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said distributing device comprises at least one elongated pipe, and that said pipe has a diameter of no more than 15 mm for the purpose of minimizing the quantity of cleaning medium therein. 
     
     
         11 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said elongated pipe is adapted to form pipe sections disposed substantially in parallel for distributing said cleaning medium via said metering openings. 
     
     
         12 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said distributing device comprises a plurality of elongated pipes being fluidically connected to one another via a transverse connecting pipe. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said metering openings are disposed along the pipe within an angle of (v)±60° from an imaginary line (L) through the central axis of the pipe which is parallel to, or substantially parallel to the extension of the side surfaces. 
     
     
         14 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said metering holes are linearly disposed substantially in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the pipe. 
     
     
         15 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said metering holes are alternately disposed on respective sides of said line (L). 
     
     
         16 . A method for cleaning a finned type heat exchanger, comprising applying a cleaning medium on the side surfaces of the fins, wherein the cleaning medium is applied by means of a cleaning apparatus, and wherein said cleaning apparatus has a configuration according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises the following steps:
 a) disposing a distributing device of said cleaning apparatus transversely to the extension of the side surfaces of the fins, and   b) initiating a cleaning sequence comprising applying said cleaning medium on the side surfaces of the fins.   
     
     
         17 . The cleaning method according to  claim 16 , wherein the cleaning sequence comprises applying steam having a temperature (T S ) of no more than 180° C. and a pressure of 2-20 bars for a duration (t) adapted to the total area of the side surfaces of the fins such that a temperature (T) of at least 85° C. is reached on the side surfaces (Y) of the fins. 
     
     
         18 . The cleaning method according to  claim 16 , wherein the cleaning sequence comprises any one or both of the steps:
 c) applying water (W) for a duration adapted to the total area of the side surfaces of the fins such that a temperature of at least 65° C. is reached on the side surfaces of the fins and/or   d) applying cleaning chemicals (D).   
     
     
         19 . The cleaning method according to  claim 18 , wherein the water has a pressure in the range of 2-20 bars. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaning method according to  claim 18 , wherein the cleaning chemicals have a pH value in the range of 4-9. 
     
     
         21 . The cleaning method according to  claim 17 , wherein the steam (S) and water (W) are deionized. 
     
     
         22 . The cleaning method according to  claim 18 , wherein the quantity of water (W) amounts to no more than 20 per cleaning sequence. 
     
     
         23 . The cleaning method according to  claim 16 , further comprising collecting cleaning medium (W, S, D) and any removed dirt below the fins of the heat exchanger.