EP2239064B1 - Balls cleaning apparatus for heat exchanger - Google Patents

Balls cleaning apparatus for heat exchanger Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2239064B1
EP2239064B1 EP09178529.5A EP09178529A EP2239064B1 EP 2239064 B1 EP2239064 B1 EP 2239064B1 EP 09178529 A EP09178529 A EP 09178529A EP 2239064 B1 EP2239064 B1 EP 2239064B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pipe
cleaning
fluid
circuit
filter
Prior art date
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Not-in-force
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EP09178529.5A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2239064A1 (en
Inventor
Manuel Fillon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
E Beaudrey et Cie SA
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E Beaudrey et Cie SA
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Publication of EP2239064A1 publication Critical patent/EP2239064A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/04—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
    • B08B9/053—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction
    • B08B9/057—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices being entrained discrete elements, e.g. balls, grinding elements, brushes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28G—CLEANING OF INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL SURFACES OF HEAT-EXCHANGE OR HEAT-TRANSFER CONDUITS, e.g. WATER TUBES OR BOILERS
    • F28G1/00—Non-rotary, e.g. reciprocated, appliances
    • F28G1/12—Fluid-propelled scrapers, bullets, or like solid bodies

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to cleaning devices which, intended to intervene between the inlet and outlet pipes serving water any installation to clean, implement, for the cleaning thereof, a load cleaning body to circulate in this installation.
  • the cleaning bodies used are of relatively small dimensions, of the order for example of 1 or 2 mm, and present in practice in the form of beads or granules.
  • the inlet filter and the outlet cleaning body manifold are rotatable which makes them subject to wear and therefore to maintenance.
  • the exit manifold filter by its rotation and the shear between cartridge and shutter resulting, damages a number of cleaning bodies at each cycle, which gradually reduces the cleaning efficiency and reduces the life of every load of body cleaners.
  • This system comprises to date, in all cases, at least one valve installed on the pipe connecting the storage lock of the cleaning bodies to the injection venturi of said body at the output of the input filter. This open valve at each injection phase and closed during the collection phase intercepts the water loaded with cleaning bodies.
  • the present invention generally relates to a cleaning device free from all or part of these disadvantages.
  • the invention makes it possible to separate the filtration functions from the debris and the recovery of the cleaning bodies.
  • the corresponding filtering devices can therefore be specifically adapted to their function, it being understood that, arranged upstream of the separation means, the filtration means must satisfy a finer filtration setting or, in other words, have a lower mesh. to that of the means of separation.
  • the filtration function is thus mainly provided by the filtration means and the separation means are provided to retain the cleaning bodies. Since the mesh of the separation means is greater than that of the filtration means, the pressure drop generated by the passage of the fluid through the separation means is lower than before.
  • controlled valves which allow the circulation and the stopping of fluid in one and the other of the recovery and reinjection circuits are positioned in parts of the circuits which do not carry cleaning bodies.
  • a controlled valve is not a valve that is operated manually. This is for example a valve whose actuation is controlled by a motor.
  • the filtering member comprises an inlet and an outlet and is surrounded by a body, the inlet being connected to an upstream recovery pipe through which the cleaning bodies are transported to the filtering member prior to to be collected by the latter, the outlet being connected to a downstream line for reinjection of the cleaning bodies into the inlet pipe, two pipes respectively provided with two controlled valves V2, V3 being respectively connected to the body upstream and downstream of the it to bring fluid and evacuate according to the actuation of the controlled valves.
  • the recovery circuit comprises the recovery line, the filtration unit and the pipe provided with the valve V3, while the reinjection circuit comprises the pipe provided with the valve V2, the filtering member and the reinjection line.
  • the recovery circuit of the cleaning bodies is mounted in shunt with respect to the discharge pipe so that the filter member stops the cleaning bodies circulating in the pipe and lets the fluid pass through the pipe. downstream part of the circuit to bring it back into the discharge pipe when the valve V2 is actuated in the closed position and the valve V3 is actuated in the open position.
  • the reinjection circuit of the cleaning bodies is mounted in shunt with respect to the inlet pipe in order to bring, at the level of the body, the fluid taken from the pipe, to make it penetrate into the filtration for driving the cleaning bodies in the downstream part of the reinjection circuit and to the inlet pipe when the valve V2 is actuated in the open position and the valve V3 is actuated in the closed position.
  • the reinjection circuit thus makes it possible, by drawing water from the inlet pipe, to create a circulation of fluid which will entrain the cleaning bodies which have been collected in the filtration unit downstream of the circuit in question. to reinject them into the incoming pipe.
  • the separation means further comprise another filter member placed upstream of the filter member, on the discharge pipe, in order to stop the cleaning bodies and let the fluid pass in the pipe .
  • This other filtering member makes it possible to stop the cleaning bodies and let the fluid flow through the filtering member in order to be discharged from the system.
  • the cleaning bodies are stopped and the fluid flows through said member to join the downstream portion of the recovery circuit and to be introduced into the discharge line downstream of the two bodies of filtration.
  • each of the recovery and reinjection circuits of the cleaning bodies comprises means for creating a suction in the circuit concerned so as to allow the circulation of the fluid.
  • these means comprise a venturi, which makes it possible to obtain a very reduced pressure drop.
  • these means comprise a diaphragm which has the advantage of being less expensive than the venturi.
  • the filtering member is a multicart filter comprising, at the inlet, a fluid flow distribution part which comprises a plurality of flow distribution channels communicating with each other. each with a filter cartridge, the whole of the distribution piece and filter cartridges substantially parallel to each other being arranged in a generally elongated form.
  • This structure is, for example, that of the filtering member common to the two circuits and, optionally, that of the other filtering member of the separation means which is arranged, upstream of the common member, on the circuit of recovery.
  • channels formed in the room are, for example, inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the filter. They will flare out from the inlet face of the plate to the exit face in order to connect to an upstream pipe of diameter less than the transverse dimension of all the filter cartridges.
  • These filter cartridges may be in practice in a generally cylindrical form and all of these cartridges are, for example, advantageously arranged elongated in a longitudinal direction corresponding to the direction of flow of the fluid.
  • the filter cartridges of the above-mentioned multicartar member are each held in position at their respective two opposite ends.
  • the separation means according to the invention advantageously comprise, excluding valves, whose intervention is only momentary, no mobile mechanical member.
  • no valve intervening in the Normal operation is installed on the lines where the fluid loaded with cleaning substances passes through.
  • the cleaning bodies passing through these pipes are therefore less degraded than before, which reduces maintenance operations and is less expensive.
  • the invention finds a particularly interesting application in the systematic cleaning of an installation, for example a plate heat exchanger, which is traversed by a fluid such as water.
  • a fluid such as water.
  • it could be another heat transfer fluid.
  • the system 1 comprises an installation 10 to be cleaned which is connected at the inlet to a pipe or pipe 11 of water inlet.
  • the installation 10 is connected at the outlet to a conduit or pipe 12 for discharging water.
  • the system also comprises a cleaning device 14 which, more particularly, is the subject of the invention.
  • the cleaning device 14 used for this purpose is intended to intervene between the inlet pipe 11 and outlet pipe 12. It uses a cleaning body load 15 which is to be circulated in the installation 10 to be cleaned according to needs.
  • the cleaning bodies constituting this load 15 are, for example, beads or granules, synthetic or mineral material.
  • Their dimension is small and is, for example, between 1 and 2 mm.
  • the cleaning device 14 comprises, in cooperation with filtration means 16 to be inserted on the inlet pipe 11, separation means 17 which, as described in more detail later, are suitable for collecting the bodies cleaning device constituting the load 15 in the outlet pipe 12 and reintroduce, in the inlet pipe 11, the cleaning bodies thus collected.
  • the filtration means 16 comprise a filtering apparatus 19 comprising, in a generally cylindrical body 20, a filtering wall 21 which is also generally cylindrical and fixed. Cleaning the filter body 21 is effected by opening a valve 26 mounted on a pipe 27 connected to the downstream end of the filter body 21 and leading the washing water leaving the filter body 21 to the outlet pipe 12.
  • the driving force creating the flow is constituted by the pressure drop of the circuit between the inlet of the filter 16 and the downstream of the separator 17.
  • the mesh of the filtering wall 21 is sufficiently thin to be able to stop the debris possibly conveyed by the flow of water F1 arriving via the inlet pipe 11.
  • the mesh is, for example, of the order of 0.5 mm.
  • the filtration means 16 thus configured and the separation means 17 use separate and static filtering apparatus, contrary to the prior art.
  • the separation means 17 according to the invention do not involve the filtration apparatus 19 filtration means placed on the supply line 11.
  • the separation means 17 implement two filtering devices 29, 30 specific.
  • these apparatuses 29 and 30 are associated with a set of valves V1 to V7, and valves C1 and C2 which are adapted to configure at least one of them alternatively bypass or series, on the inlet pipe 11 and on the outlet pipe 12, with the filtering wall of the corresponding apparatus passing through in one case, and without passing through this filtering wall in the other.
  • only one of the filtering devices 29, 30, in this case the filtering apparatus 30, is thus capable of being alternately shunted on one or the other of the inlet and outlet pipes 11
  • the apparatus 30 is disposed downstream of the filter apparatus 29 which acts as a concentrator for the apparatus 30, while the filter apparatus 30 acts as a collector.
  • the filtering apparatus 29 is directly interposed on the outlet pipe 12, immediately downstream of the installation 10. It comprises a filtering member 32a which, under the control of a manual valve V1 mounted on a pipe 34 connecting the outlet 36 of the filter apparatus 29 at the inlet 37 of the filter apparatus 30 is put in communication with the filtering apparatus 30.
  • the filtering member 32a of the filtering apparatus 29 is arranged axially in a cylindrical body 38 and the outlet pipe 12 between axially in this body 38, in an inlet zone 40, to exit laterally, in an outlet zone 41.
  • the filter member 32a is longitudinally elongate with the water line, that is to say in the longitudinal direction of the flow from line 12.
  • the member 32a extends between a closure plate 42 arranged transversely in the cylindrical body 38 and a convergent element such as a cone 44 connecting the filtering member 32a to the outlet 36.
  • the flow of water entering the body 38 is forced to pass through the filter member 32a.
  • this filtering member 32a is in the form of a cylindrical cartridge.
  • a cylindrical filter wall 46a formed of son of triangular cross section 47 which are spaced from each other and separated by slots 48 parallel to each other. These son are circled externally, for their maintenance, by spacers 49.
  • slots 48 formed in the filtering wall 46a are advantageously elongate in the longitudinal flow direction of the flow entering the filtering member 32a.
  • this filtering member 32a The pressure drop induced by this filtering member 32a is therefore low, and this, especially as, as it is implemented, this filtering member 32a generally offers water a large passage section.
  • the width of the slots 48 is for example between 0.8 and 1 mm.
  • the filtering wall 21 can also adopt the same constitution, except that the mesh size must be thinner than for the wall 46a.
  • the cone 44 forms, in line with the outgoing portion 41 of the outlet duct 12, a dead zone to avoid disturbing the corresponding outgoing flow.
  • the filtering apparatus 30 acting as a collector comprises, in a body 56, a filtering member 32b of the same type as the filtering member 32a of the apparatus 29.
  • the filtering member 32b has, over at least part of its length, a filtering wall 46b with slots 48 elongate in the longitudinal flow direction of the incoming flow present at the inlet 37 of the member.
  • the body 56 is fed by a pipe 58 connected to the inlet pipe 11 and which is controlled by the valve V2 (controlled valve).
  • the inlet 37 is of interest in practice only the filter member.
  • the outlet 59 of the body 56 is connected to the outlet pipe 12 by a pipe 60 controlled by a valve V3 (controlled valve).
  • the pipe 60 opens into the outlet pipe 12 via a venturi 62 interposed thereon near the outlet end of the system where the outlet flow F 2 comes out, downstream of the outlet of driving 27.
  • the outlet 63 of the filtering member 32b of the filter apparatus 30 is, in turn, connected to the inlet pipe 11 by a pipe 64 equipped with a non-return valve C2 and a manual valve of V4 insulation.
  • this pipe 64 opens into the inlet pipe 11 via a venturi 65 interposed thereon.
  • an inlet nozzle V5 mounted on the inlet 37 and which is adapted to allow, if If desired, a check of the state of wear of the cleaning body constituting the load 15 and, if necessary, the introduction of a new load.
  • valves V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6 and V7 are all two-way valves. Only the valves V2 and V3 are necessarily motorized and therefore remotely controllable given the frequency of injection cycles and recovery of the cleaning bodies. It will be noted that the cycle of injection and recovery of the bodies has a duration of the order of several tens of seconds, a duration which depends more particularly on the geometry of the circuit.
  • Valves V2 and V3 are, for example, pinch valves.
  • valve V7 disposed on the outlet 63 of the apparatus 30 makes it possible to remove the filtering bodies from the circuit and to collect them, for example, in a perforated basket 70.
  • a vent controlled by the valve V6 makes it possible to eliminate the air during filling the organ 29.
  • the pipe 34, the filtering member 30 and the pipe 60 form a cleaning body recovery circuit in which the bodies are transported on only part of the circuit, to the organ.
  • the fluid carrying the bodies so far can, in turn, through the filter wall of the body and join the pipe 60.
  • the filter member 29 may also be considered, optionally, as part of the recovery circuit.
  • the pipe 58, the filtering member 30 and the pipe 64 form a reinjection circuit of the cleaning bodies which have stopped on the inner wall of the body.
  • the fluid that is allowed to circulate in the circuit thus enters the body and drives the bodies out of the body and downstream of the circuit to reinject them.
  • the filtering member 30 is common to the two aforementioned circuits and is alternately subjected to two different fluid streams which, according to the imposed current, allow the storage of the cleaning bodies in this unit or their downstream drive to from the point of storage (collection).
  • the system according to the invention comprises a circuit part dedicated to filtration (16), a circuit part devoted to the collection / recovery of the cleaning bodies and which includes a collector chamber 30 operating in turn. role, either in the high pressure zone or in the low pressure zone.
  • the injection of the cleaning bodies in the installation 10 is done by opening the controlled valve V2.
  • the water sampled at the upstream pressure of the system circulates in the pipe 58, enters the body 56 of the manifold 30 which surrounds the filter element 46b, passes through this filter element 46b against the current, drives the cleaning bodies towards the outlet 63 the manifold, then in the pipe 64 through the valve C2 and the valve V4, all under the effect of the suction created by the venturi 65.
  • the cleaning bodies are then directed to the installation 10 via the pipe 11.
  • the pressure in the manifold 30 being greater than that in the outlet pipe, the non-return valve C1 is kept closed.
  • valves V2 and V3 are motorized and that the cleaning bodies are never in contact with these valves.
  • the cleaning bodies wear out over time and need to be changed. This is accomplished by first closing the system valves V2, V3, V4, V5, V6 and then opening the valve V7.
  • the collector 30 empties and the used cleaning bodies are stopped by the harvesting basket 70.
  • the valve V7 is closed and the valve V5 is opened to introduce the charge of new cleaning bodies, then the valve V5 is closed and the V6 valve is open.
  • the valve V3 is then open, the collector 30 fills with water and the air is discharged through the vent V6.
  • the valves V3 and V6 are closed and the system is then ready to start a cleaning cycle of the plant 10 with the new body load.
  • the periodic cleaning of the inlet filter 16 is completely independent of the operating cycles using the cleaning bodies. This cleaning is performed by opening the valve 26, which creates a violent circulation of water in the pipe 27 causing the clogging elements stopped on the filter surface 21 to the outlet of the system located downstream of the concentrator 29.
  • the cleaning can be triggered either by the operator or automatically by a programmed clock or by measuring in a manner known per se the increase in the pressure drop.
  • the system as represented on the figure 1 comprises a single-cartridge input filter 16 and a separator 17, also a single-cartridge.
  • This simple arrangement is suitable for relatively low flow installations leading to low pipe diameters 11 and 12.
  • the length of Devices 16 and 17 become particularly large, which significantly increases the dimensions and therefore the overall size of the system.
  • several filter bodies or cartridges are arranged in parallel in a single body. This arrangement does not pose any difficulty for the input filter 16, and it will not be described further here.
  • the separator 17 the nature of the cleaning bodies which are generally small diameter pellets creates a number of difficulties.
  • the granules tend to accumulate in all the dead zones of the pipes of the system, that is to say in the areas where the speed of the water is low or zero.
  • the granules no longer circulating, they no longer allow the cleaning of the system 10.
  • the separator can also be made in multicartouche form provided that it has no area conducive to the deposition of the cleaning bodies.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a means of separation that can be put into place in the system of figure 1 .
  • the figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the separator filter 29 of the figure 1 and the figure 6 is a top top view A of the separator, the piping 12 being removed for the sake of clarity.
  • the apparatus comprises a generally cylindrical body 80, forming the casing of the apparatus, and in which are disposed a plurality of filter bodies 82 which, for example, are generally cylindrical in shape and parallel to the axis of the body 80.
  • water inlet into the device is at one end of the body which is equipped with a flange 83 on which a flange 84 secured to the pipe 12 is fixed.
  • the flange 83 is more particularly mounted around a distribution part of the stream 85.
  • This piece which has, for example, the shape of a thick plate, for example circular, has an outside diameter equal to the inside diameter of the body 80 .
  • each filter body 82 (cartridge) which feeds said body from the water inlet.
  • the arrangement of channels in the distribution plate 85 makes it possible to have no dead zone in which the cleaning bodies could be housed and remain there.
  • Such a distribution plate is not necessary if it is desired to make the filter 16 in the form of a multicart filter because in this filter the problem of the existence of a dead zone vis-à-vis the cleaning bodies does not arise.
  • the filter bodies 82 are not necessarily all identical.
  • These channels are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the body 80 so that all the feed openings located on the upstream face of the plate 85 (openings visible on the figure 6 ) is written in the circle delimiting the passage section of the inlet opening of the pipe 12 at the flange 84.
  • each of the channels 86 includes in the plate 85 recesses 87 which hold the filter bodies 82 in position.
  • the filter bodies 82 are held in the recess of the plate 88 of the cone 89 for collecting the cleaning bodies and the washing water.
  • the filter bodies are held in position in the body 80 at each of their two opposite longitudinal ends.
  • the filtering bodies and the washing water leave axially through the tubing 90 equipped with a flange 91.
  • the main stream of water freed from the filtering bodies spring, for its part, by the radial pipe 92 also located towards the downstream end. body 80.
  • the apparatus thus constructed has no area where the cleaning bodies could stagnate and reduce the overall efficiency of the cleaning system.
  • this apparatus has a relatively small longitudinal size given the filtration efficiency compared to an arrangement comprising a single longitudinal filter of equivalent filtration efficiency.
  • venturis which create the flows by generating only a minimum of pressure drop in the circuit can, for the sake of economy and, when the overall pressure drop of the circuit is not critical, be replaced by diaphragms. Downstream of these diaphragms the lines 60 and 64 respectively join the main conduits for entering filtered water 11 and water discharge.

Description

La présente invention concerne d'une manière générale des dispositifs de nettoyage qui, destinés à intervenir entre les canalisations d'entrée et de sortie desservant en eau une quelconque installation à nettoyer, mettent en oeuvre, pour le nettoyage de celle-ci, une charge de corps de nettoyage à faire circuler dans cette installation.The present invention generally relates to cleaning devices which, intended to intervene between the inlet and outlet pipes serving water any installation to clean, implement, for the cleaning thereof, a load cleaning body to circulate in this installation.

Elle vise plus particulièrement, mais non exclusivement, le cas où, cette installation étant un échangeur de chaleur à plaques, les corps de nettoyage mis en oeuvre sont de relativement petites dimensions, de l'ordre par exemple de 1 ou 2 mm, et se présentent en pratique sous la forme de billes ou de granulés.It relates more particularly, but not exclusively, the case where, this installation being a plate heat exchanger, the cleaning bodies used are of relatively small dimensions, of the order for example of 1 or 2 mm, and present in practice in the form of beads or granules.

L'un des problèmes à résoudre dans la réalisation des dispositifs de nettoyage de ce type tient à la nécessité qu'il y a, à chaque cycle, de séparer ces corps de nettoyage du flux traité, pour les réinjecter dans le flux du cycle suivant.One of the problems to be solved in the production of cleaning devices of this type is the need for each cycle to separate these cleaning bodies from the treated stream and to reinject them into the flow of the next cycle. .

Pour répondre à cette exigence, il a été proposé de mettre en oeuvre, en coopération avec des moyens de filtration usuels à insérer dans les canalisations d'entrée pour arrêter les débris d'origines diverses, telles que minérale, végétale ou organique, débris éventuellement véhiculés par le flux concerné, des moyens de séparation. Ces moyens de séparation sont propres, d'une part, à recueillir les corps de nettoyage dans la canalisation de sortie et, d'autre part, à introduire dans la canalisation d'entrée les corps de nettoyage ainsi recueillis.To meet this requirement, it has been proposed to implement, in cooperation with conventional filtration means to be inserted into the inlet pipes to stop debris of various origins, such as mineral, vegetable or organic, possibly debris carried by the flow concerned, means of separation. These separation means are clean, on the one hand, to collect the cleaning bodies in the outlet pipe and, on the other hand, to introduce into the inlet pipe cleaning bodies thus collected.

En pratique, les dispositifs de nettoyage connus à ce jour sont de deux types.

  1. 1) Dans un premier type de dispositif les moyens de filtration sont confondus avec les moyens de séparation.
    Il s'agit, concrètement, de deux paniers filtrants, ou crépines qui, montés sur un barillet rotatif, sont alternativement, et à tour de rôle, directement interposés sur la canalisation d'entrée et sur la canalisation de sortie.
    Bien que de tels dispositifs de nettoyage donnent satisfaction, notamment parce qu'ils sont autonettoyants, ils présentent toutefois les inconvénients suivants.
    Tout d'abord, comme ces dispositifs doivent alternativement assurer des fonctions de filtration, à l'égard des débris, et de récupération, à l'égard des corps de nettoyage, ils ne sont que difficilement bien adaptés à l'une et l'autre de ces fonctions.
    En outre, dans la mesure où ils sont directement interposés sur les canalisations d'entrée et de sortie, celles-ci doivent nécessairement se côtoyer localement suivant des tronçons parallèles.
    Il en résulte fréquemment des difficultés d'implantation pour l'ensemble du dispositif.
    En outre, à chaque rotation du barillet le flux sortant n'est momentanément plus intercepté par un quelconque panier. Il en résulte à chaque fois une perte non négligeable de corps de nettoyage.
    Enfin, du fait même que, en phase de récupération de ces corps de nettoyage, un panier filtrant dans lequel ces corps s'accumulent peu à peu est interposé sur la canalisation de sortie, les pertes de charge ne sont en général pas négligeables.
  2. 2) Dans un second type de dispositif les moyens de filtration mécanique sont spécialement adaptés à leur fonction, c'est-à-dire qu'ils filtrent à l'entrée et récupèrent des corps nettoyants à la sortie. Les cycles de collecte des corps nettoyants en aval et de réinjection en amont sont, dans ce cas, alternatifs et la charge nécessaire aux écoulements est produite par des venturis installés en sortie du filtre d'entrée et en aval du collecteur de corps nettoyants de sortie. C'est le cas du système objet du brevet français 9012895 .
In practice, cleaning devices known to date are of two types.
  1. 1) In a first type of device the filtering means are merged with the separation means.
    It is, in concrete terms, two filter baskets, or strainers which, mounted on a rotary barrel, are alternately, and in turn, directly interposed on the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe.
    Although such cleaning devices are satisfactory, especially because they are self-cleaning, they have the following disadvantages.
    Firstly, since these devices must alternatively provide filtration functions, with respect to debris, and recovery, with respect to the cleaning bodies, they are only difficultly adapted to the one and the other of these functions.
    In addition, insofar as they are directly interposed on the inlet and outlet pipelines, they must necessarily meet locally in parallel sections.
    This often results in implementation difficulties for the entire device.
    In addition, with each rotation of the barrel the outgoing flow is momentarily no longer intercepted by any basket. This results in each time a significant loss of cleaning body.
    Finally, the fact that, in the recovery phase of these cleaning bodies, a filter basket in which these bodies accumulate gradually is interposed on the outlet pipe, the pressure losses are generally not negligible.
  2. 2) In a second type of device the mechanical filtration means are specially adapted to their function, that is to say, they filter at the inlet and recover cleaning bodies at the outlet. In this case, the collection cycles of the downstream cleaning bodies and of the upstream feed-back are alternative and the load required for the flows is produced by venturis installed at the outlet of the inlet filter and downstream of the outlet cleaning body manifold. . This is the case of the system French patent 9012895 .

Ce système, beaucoup plus avantageux que le précédent, présente cependant un certain nombre d'inconvénients.This system, much more advantageous than the previous one, however, has a number of disadvantages.

Le filtre d'entrée et le collecteur de corps nettoyants de sortie sont rotatifs ce qui les rend sujets à usure et donc à maintenance. De plus, le filtre collecteur de sortie, de par sa rotation et les cisaillements entre cartouche et obturateur qui en résultent, abîme un certain nombre de corps de nettoyage à chaque cycle, ce qui réduit graduellement l'efficacité du nettoyage et réduit la vie de chaque charge de corps nettoyants. Ce système comporte à ce jour, dans tous les cas, au moins une vanne installée sur la conduite reliant le sas de stockage des corps nettoyants au venturi d'injection desdits corps à la sortie du filtre d'entrée. Cette vanne ouverte à chaque phase d'injection et refermée pendant la phase de collecte intercepte l'eau chargée de corps nettoyants. Soit elle est conçue pour avoir une longue durée de vie et, de ce fait, elle est métallique, avec pour inconvénient majeur de briser les corps nettoyants pincés entre le seuil et l'obturateur, soit elle est réalisée en matière souple (vanne à manchon par exemple) et nécessite ainsi de nombreux entretiens mais n'abîme cependant pas les corps nettoyants.The inlet filter and the outlet cleaning body manifold are rotatable which makes them subject to wear and therefore to maintenance. In addition, the exit manifold filter, by its rotation and the shear between cartridge and shutter resulting, damages a number of cleaning bodies at each cycle, which gradually reduces the cleaning efficiency and reduces the life of every load of body cleaners. This system comprises to date, in all cases, at least one valve installed on the pipe connecting the storage lock of the cleaning bodies to the injection venturi of said body at the output of the input filter. This open valve at each injection phase and closed during the collection phase intercepts the water loaded with cleaning bodies. Either it is designed to have a long life and, because of this, it is metallic, with the major disadvantage of breaking the cleaning bodies pinched between the threshold and the shutter, or it is made of flexible material (pinch valve for example) and thus requires many interviews but does not damage the cleaning bodies.

La présente invention a d'une manière générale pour objet un dispositif de nettoyage exempt de tout ou partie de ces inconvénients.The present invention generally relates to a cleaning device free from all or part of these disadvantages.

L'invention a plus particulièrement pour objet un système comprenant :

  • une installation à nettoyer raccordée, en entrée, à une conduite d'arrivée de fluide alimentée en fluide et, en sortie, à une conduite d'évacuation de fluide,
  • un dispositif de nettoyage de l'installation qui est apte à faire circuler dans l'installation des corps de nettoyage, véhiculés par le fluide en écoulement, le dispositif de nettoyage comprenant, sur la conduite d'arrivée, des moyens de filtration pour la filtration du fluide et, sur la conduite d'évacuation, des moyens de séparation qui sont adaptés à collecter les corps de nettoyage ,
caractérisé en ce que les moyens de séparation et les moyens de filtration sont statiques et comprennent des appareils distincts, les moyens de séparation comprenant un organe de filtration, le dispositif de nettoyage comprenant un circuit de récupération des corps de nettoyage circulant dans la conduite d'évacuation et un circuit de réinjection, dans la conduite d'arrivée, des corps de nettoyage récupérés, les deux circuits ayant en commun l'organe de filtration et étant mis en oeuvre alternativement par actionnement d'un ensemble de vannes commandées présentes dans les parties de circuits qui ne transportent pas de corps de nettoyage afin de faire circuler le fluide, soit dans le circuit de récupération pour collecter dans l'organe de filtration les corps de nettoyage provenant de la conduite, soit dans le circuit de réinjection, pour entrainer vers la conduite les corps de nettoyage collectés dans l'organe de filtration.The invention more particularly relates to a system comprising:
  • an installation to be cleaned connected, at the inlet, to a supply line of fluid supplied with fluid and, at the outlet, to a fluid discharge line,
  • an installation cleaning device which is able to circulate in the installation cleaning bodies, conveyed by the flowing fluid, the cleaning device comprising, on the inlet pipe, filtration means for filtration; fluid and, on the discharge pipe, separating means which are adapted to collect the cleaning bodies,
characterized in that the separating means and the filtering means are static and comprise separate apparatuses, the separating means comprising a filtering member, the cleaning device comprising a circuit for recovering the cleaning bodies circulating in the pipe of discharge and a reinjection circuit, in the inlet line, recovered cleaning bodies, the two circuits having in common the filter member and being implemented alternately by actuating a set of controlled valves present in the parts circuits which do not carry cleaning bodies in order to circulate the fluid, either in the recovery circuit for collecting in the filter element the cleaning bodies coming from the pipe, or in the reinjection circuit, to drive towards conducting the cleaning bodies collected in the filter element.

L'invention, permet de séparer les fonctions de filtration des débris et de récupération des corps de nettoyage.The invention makes it possible to separate the filtration functions from the debris and the recovery of the cleaning bodies.

Les appareils filtrants correspondants peuvent dès lors être spécifiquement adaptés au mieux à leur fonction, étant entendu que, disposés en amont des moyens de séparation, les moyens de filtration doivent satisfaire à un réglage de filtration plus fin ou, autrement dit, avoir une maille inférieure à celle des moyens de séparation.The corresponding filtering devices can therefore be specifically adapted to their function, it being understood that, arranged upstream of the separation means, the filtration means must satisfy a finer filtration setting or, in other words, have a lower mesh. to that of the means of separation.

La fonction de filtration est ainsi principalement assurée par les moyens de filtration et les moyens de séparation sont prévus pour retenir les corps de nettoyage. La maille des moyens de séparation étant plus grande que celle des moyens de filtration, la perte de charge engendrée par le passage du fluide à travers les moyens de séparation est moins élevée qu'auparavant.The filtration function is thus mainly provided by the filtration means and the separation means are provided to retain the cleaning bodies. Since the mesh of the separation means is greater than that of the filtration means, the pressure drop generated by the passage of the fluid through the separation means is lower than before.

On notera que les vannes commandées qui permettent la mise en circulation et l'arrêt de fluide dans l'un et l'autre des circuits de récupération et de réinjection sont positionnées dans des parties des circuits qui ne transportent pas de corps de nettoyage.It should be noted that the controlled valves which allow the circulation and the stopping of fluid in one and the other of the recovery and reinjection circuits are positioned in parts of the circuits which do not carry cleaning bodies.

Il n'y a ainsi aucun risque de détérioration des corps lors de la fermeture automatique des vannes.There is thus no risk of deterioration of the bodies during the automatic closing of the valves.

On notera que, par définition, une vanne commandée n'est pas une vanne qui est actionnée manuellement. Il s'agit par exemple d'une vanne dont l'actionnement est commandé par un moteur.Note that, by definition, a controlled valve is not a valve that is operated manually. This is for example a valve whose actuation is controlled by a motor.

Selon une caractéristique, l'organe de filtration comprend une entrée et une sortie et est entouré par un corps, l'entrée étant raccordée à une conduite amont de récupération par laquelle les corps de nettoyage sont transportés vers l'organe de filtration avant d'être collectés par celui-ci, la sortie étant raccordée à une conduite aval de réinjection des corps de nettoyage dans la conduite d'arrivée, deux conduites munies respectivement de deux vannes commandées V2, V3 étant raccordées respectivement au corps en amont et en aval de celui-ci pour amener du fluide et en évacuer selon l'actionnement des vannes commandées.According to one characteristic, the filtering member comprises an inlet and an outlet and is surrounded by a body, the inlet being connected to an upstream recovery pipe through which the cleaning bodies are transported to the filtering member prior to to be collected by the latter, the outlet being connected to a downstream line for reinjection of the cleaning bodies into the inlet pipe, two pipes respectively provided with two controlled valves V2, V3 being respectively connected to the body upstream and downstream of the it to bring fluid and evacuate according to the actuation of the controlled valves.

La présence de ces vannes en dehors des zones des circuits où circulent les corps de nettoyage permet d'établir une circulation du fluide et des corps qui est adaptée soit à la récupération de ces corps soit à leur réinjection.The presence of these valves outside the areas of the circuits in which the cleaning bodies circulate makes it possible to establish a flow of fluid and bodies that is adapted either to the recovery of these bodies or to their reinjection.

La circulation de fluide est ainsi établie dans le circuit approprié et arrêtée dans l'autre circuit.The circulation of fluid is thus established in the appropriate circuit and stopped in the other circuit.

Selon une caractéristique, le circuit de récupération comprend la conduite de récupération, l'organe de filtration et la conduite munie de la vanne V3, tandis que le circuit de réinjection comprend la conduite munie de la vanne V2, l'organe de filtration et la conduite de réinjection.According to one characteristic, the recovery circuit comprises the recovery line, the filtration unit and the pipe provided with the valve V3, while the reinjection circuit comprises the pipe provided with the valve V2, the filtering member and the reinjection line.

Selon une caractéristique, le circuit de récupération des corps de nettoyage est monté en dérivation par rapport à la conduite d'évacuation de façon à ce que l'organe de filtration arrête les corps de nettoyage circulant dans la conduite et laisse passer le fluide dans la partie aval du circuit afin de le ramener dans la conduite d'évacuation lorsque la vanne V2 est actionnée en position de fermeture et la vanne V3 est actionnée en position d'ouverture.According to one characteristic, the recovery circuit of the cleaning bodies is mounted in shunt with respect to the discharge pipe so that the filter member stops the cleaning bodies circulating in the pipe and lets the fluid pass through the pipe. downstream part of the circuit to bring it back into the discharge pipe when the valve V2 is actuated in the closed position and the valve V3 is actuated in the open position.

Selon une caractéristique, le circuit de réinjection des corps de nettoyage est monté en dérivation par rapport à la conduite d'arrivée afin d'amener, au niveau du corps, du fluide prélevé sur la conduite, de le faire pénétrer dans l'organe de filtration pour entraîner les corps de nettoyage dans la partie aval du circuit de réinjection et vers la conduite d'arrivée lorsque la vanne V2 est actionnée en position d'ouverture et la vanne V3 est actionnée en position de fermeture.According to one characteristic, the reinjection circuit of the cleaning bodies is mounted in shunt with respect to the inlet pipe in order to bring, at the level of the body, the fluid taken from the pipe, to make it penetrate into the filtration for driving the cleaning bodies in the downstream part of the reinjection circuit and to the inlet pipe when the valve V2 is actuated in the open position and the valve V3 is actuated in the closed position.

Le circuit de réinjection permet ainsi, en prélevant de l'eau sur la conduite d'arrivée, de créer une circulation de fluide qui va entrainer les corps de nettoyage qui ont été collectés dans l'organe de filtration vers l'aval du circuit en vue de les réinjecter dans la conduite d'arrivée.The reinjection circuit thus makes it possible, by drawing water from the inlet pipe, to create a circulation of fluid which will entrain the cleaning bodies which have been collected in the filtration unit downstream of the circuit in question. to reinject them into the incoming pipe.

On notera que cette réinjection des corps de nettoyage est effectuée, sur la conduite, en aval du point où est prélevé le fluide alimentant le circuit d'injection.It will be noted that this reinjection of the cleaning bodies is carried out on the pipe downstream of the point where the fluid supplying the injection circuit is taken.

Selon une caractéristique, les moyens de séparation comprennent en outre un autre organe de filtration placé en amont de l'organe de filtration, sur la conduite d'évacuation, afin d'arrêter les corps de nettoyage et de laisser passer le fluide dans la conduite.According to one feature, the separation means further comprise another filter member placed upstream of the filter member, on the discharge pipe, in order to stop the cleaning bodies and let the fluid pass in the pipe .

Cet autre organe de filtration permet d'arrêter les corps de nettoyage et de laisser s'écouler le fluide à travers l'organe de filtration en vue d'être évacué du système.This other filtering member makes it possible to stop the cleaning bodies and let the fluid flow through the filtering member in order to be discharged from the system.

Lors de l'actionnement d'un ensemble de vannes présentes dans les circuits de récupération et de réinjection, lorsqu'il est prévu de faire circuler le fluide dans le circuit de récupération, les corps de nettoyage sont ainsi entrainés par le fluide dans le circuit de récupération jusqu'à l'organe de filtration commun aux deux circuits.When actuating a set of valves present in the recovery and reinjection circuits, when it is intended to circulate the fluid in the recovery circuit, the cleaning bodies are thus driven by the fluid in the circuit recovery to the filter element common to both circuits.

Dans cet organe de filtration, les corps de nettoyage y sont arrêtés et le fluide s'écoule à travers ledit organe afin de rejoindre la partie aval du circuit de récupération et d'être introduite dans la conduite d'évacuation en aval des deux organes de filtration.In this filter member, the cleaning bodies are stopped and the fluid flows through said member to join the downstream portion of the recovery circuit and to be introduced into the discharge line downstream of the two bodies of filtration.

Selon une caractéristique, chacun des circuits de récupération et de réinjection des corps de nettoyage comprend des moyens de création d'une aspiration dans le circuit concerné afin de permettre la mise en circulation du fluide.According to one characteristic, each of the recovery and reinjection circuits of the cleaning bodies comprises means for creating a suction in the circuit concerned so as to allow the circulation of the fluid.

Ces moyens sont là pour créer la force motrice nécessaire à la mise en circulation de fluide dans les circuits compte tenu, notamment, des pertes de charge occasionnées dans le système, par exemple au niveau des moyens de filtration et du ou des organes de filtration des moyens de séparation.These means are there to create the driving force necessary for the circulation of fluid in the circuits taking into account, in particular, the pressure drops caused in the system, for example at the level of the filtering means and the filtering member or members of the system. means of separation.

Ces moyens que l'on pourrait également qualifier de moyens de pulsions sont là, plus généralement, pour surmonter les différences de pressions existant dans le système.These means that one could also qualify as means of impulses are there, more generally, to overcome the differences of pressures existing in the system.

Selon une caractéristique, ces moyens comprennent un venturi, ce qui permet d'obtenir une perte de charge très réduite.According to one characteristic, these means comprise a venturi, which makes it possible to obtain a very reduced pressure drop.

Alternativement, ces moyens comprennent un diaphragme qui présente l'avantage d'être moins coûteux que le venturi.Alternatively, these means comprise a diaphragm which has the advantage of being less expensive than the venturi.

Selon une caractéristique particulièrement intéressante lorsqu'un encombrement réduit est recherché, l'organe de filtration est un filtre multicartouche comportant, à l'entrée, une pièce de répartition de l'écoulement du fluide qui comprend plusieurs canaux de distribution de l'écoulement communiquant chacun avec une cartouche filtrante, l'ensemble de la pièce de répartition et des cartouches filtrantes sensiblement parallèles entre elles étant disposé suivant une forme générale allongée.According to a particularly advantageous characteristic when a small space requirement is sought, the filtering member is a multicart filter comprising, at the inlet, a fluid flow distribution part which comprises a plurality of flow distribution channels communicating with each other. each with a filter cartridge, the whole of the distribution piece and filter cartridges substantially parallel to each other being arranged in a generally elongated form.

Cette structure est, par exemple, celle de l'organe de filtration commun aux deux circuits et, éventuellement, celle de l'autre organe de filtration des moyens de séparation qui est agencé, en amont de l'organe commun, sur le circuit de récupération.This structure is, for example, that of the filtering member common to the two circuits and, optionally, that of the other filtering member of the separation means which is arranged, upstream of the common member, on the circuit of recovery.

On notera par ailleurs que les canaux aménagés dans la pièce sont, par exemple, inclinés par rapport à la direction longitudinale du filtre. Ils vont en s'évasant depuis la face d'entrée de la plaque jusqu'à la face de sortie afin de pouvoir se raccorder à une conduite amont de diamètre inférieur à la dimension transversale de l'ensemble des cartouches filtrantes.Note also that the channels formed in the room are, for example, inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the filter. They will flare out from the inlet face of the plate to the exit face in order to connect to an upstream pipe of diameter less than the transverse dimension of all the filter cartridges.

Ces cartouches filtrantes peuvent se présenter en pratique sous une forme générale cylindrique et l'ensemble de ces cartouches est, par exemple, avantageusement disposé de façon allongée suivant une direction longitudinale correspondant à la direction d'écoulement du fluide.These filter cartridges may be in practice in a generally cylindrical form and all of these cartridges are, for example, advantageously arranged elongated in a longitudinal direction corresponding to the direction of flow of the fluid.

Cette disposition offre peu de perturbations pour l'écoulement de fluide et donc minimise les pertes de charge.This arrangement offers little disturbance to the fluid flow and thus minimizes pressure losses.

Grâce à la configuration de l'organe de filtration brièvement décrite ci-dessus, les corps de nettoyage qui y sont récupérés se concentrent naturellement dans la partie aval de l'organe et ce dernier reste ainsi passant sur une grande longueur.Due to the configuration of the filter element briefly described above, the cleaning bodies recovered therein are naturally concentrated in the downstream part of the body and the latter thus remains over a great length.

De cette façon, les pertes de charge occasionnées par cet organe de filtration restent relativement faibles.In this way, the pressure losses caused by this filter member remain relatively low.

Selon une caractéristique particulière, les cartouches filtrantes de l'organe multicartouche précité sont maintenues chacune en position à leurs deux extrémités opposées respectives.According to a particular characteristic, the filter cartridges of the above-mentioned multicartar member are each held in position at their respective two opposite ends.

On notera que la réalisation d'un filtre multicartouche tel que brièvement décrit ci-dessus permet de réduire la longueur totale de l'organe de filtration et donc l'encombrement de ce dernier pour une efficacité de filtration équivalente.Note that the realization of a multicart filter as briefly described above reduces the total length of the filter member and therefore the size of the latter for an equivalent filtration efficiency.

Les moyens de séparation selon l'invention ne comportent avantageusement, à l'exclusion de vannes, dont l'intervention n'est que momentanée, aucun organe mécanique mobile. Dans la présente invention, aucune vanne intervenant dans le fonctionnement normal ne se trouve installée sur les conduites où le fluide chargé de corps nettoyants transite.The separation means according to the invention advantageously comprise, excluding valves, whose intervention is only momentary, no mobile mechanical member. In the present invention, no valve intervening in the Normal operation is installed on the lines where the fluid loaded with cleaning substances passes through.

Les corps de nettoyage transitant dans ces conduites sont donc moins dégradés qu'auparavant, ce qui réduit les opérations de maintenance et s'avère moins coûteux.The cleaning bodies passing through these pipes are therefore less degraded than before, which reduces maintenance operations and is less expensive.

Selon un aspect, le système selon l'invention comprend :

  • une installation à nettoyer raccordée, en entrée, à une conduite d'arrivée de fluide alimentée en fluide et, en sortie, à une conduite d'évacuation de fluide,
  • un dispositif de nettoyage de l'installation qui est apte à faire circuler dans l'installation des corps de nettoyage, véhiculés par le fluide en écoulement, le dispositif de nettoyage comprenant, sur la conduite d'arrivée, des moyens de filtration pour la filtration du fluide et, sur la conduite d'évacuation, des moyens de séparation qui sont adaptés à collecter les corps de nettoyage ,
caractérisé en ce que les moyens de séparation et les moyens de filtration sont statiques et comprennent des appareils distincts, les moyens de séparation comprenant un organe de filtration muni d'une surface filtrante et qui comprend une entrée et une sortie, le dispositif de nettoyage comprenant une conduite amont de récupération raccordée à l'entrée, et une conduite aval de réinjection débouchant dans la conduite d'arrivée et qui est raccordée à la sortie, le dispositif de nettoyage comprenant également un corps entourant l'organe de filtration, deux conduites munies respectivement de deux vannes commandées V2, V3 étant raccordées chacune au corps pour respectivement amener du fluide et en évacuer selon l'actionnement des vannes, lorsque la vanne V2 est fermée et la vanne V3 est ouverte les corps de nettoyage circulant dans la conduite sont arrêtés par la surface filtrante, tandis que le fluide les transportant traverse celle-ci pour sortir de l'organe de filtration et est évacué du corps par la conduite munie de la vanne V3, lorsque la vanne V2 est ouverte et la vanne V3 est fermée le fluide injecté par la conduite munie de la vanne V2 pénètre dans le corps, traverse la surface filtrante pour entrer dans l'organe de filtration et entraine les corps de nettoyage dans la conduite de réinjection.According to one aspect, the system according to the invention comprises:
  • an installation to be cleaned connected, at the inlet, to a supply line of fluid supplied with fluid and, at the outlet, to a fluid discharge line,
  • an installation cleaning device which is able to circulate in the installation cleaning bodies, conveyed by the flowing fluid, the cleaning device comprising, on the inlet pipe, filtration means for filtration; fluid and, on the discharge pipe, separating means which are adapted to collect the cleaning bodies,
characterized in that the separating means and the filtering means are static and comprise separate apparatuses, the separating means comprising a filtering member provided with a filtering surface and comprising an inlet and an outlet, the cleaning device comprising an upstream recovery pipe connected to the inlet, and a downstream reinjection pipe opening into the inlet pipe and which is connected to the outlet, the cleaning device also comprising a body surrounding the filter element, two pipes provided with respectively of two controlled valves V2, V3 each being connected to the body for respectively supplying fluid and evacuating according to the actuation of the valves, when the valve V2 is closed and the valve V3 is open the cleaning bodies circulating in the pipe are stopped by the filtering surface, while the fluid transporting them through it to leave the filt organ ration and is evacuated from the body by the pipe provided with the valve V3, when the valve V2 is open and the valve V3 is closed the fluid injected by the pipe provided with the valve V2 enters the body, passes through the filtering surface to enter the filter element and drives the cleaning bodies in the reinjection pipe.

Les caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention ressortiront d'ailleurs de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple non limitatif, faite en référence aux dessins schématiques annexés sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est un bloc diagramme d'un dispositif de nettoyage suivant l'invention et de l'installation à laquelle il est appliqué ;
  • la figure 2 est, à échelle supérieure, une vue partielle, en perspective, d'un des organes filtrants mis en oeuvre dans cette forme de réalisation ;
  • les figures 3 et 4 illustrent schématiquement la circulation de fluide respectivement dans les circuits de récupération et de réinjection ;
  • les figures 5 et 6 représentent respectivement en coupe et en vue de dessus une variante d'exécution du séparateur de granulés pour les circuits de tuyauterie de grand diamètre.
The features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is a block diagram of a cleaning device according to the invention and the installation to which it is applied;
  • the figure 2 is, on a larger scale, a partial view, in perspective, of one of the filtering members used in this embodiment;
  • the figures 3 and 4 schematically illustrate the circulation of fluid respectively in the recovery and reinjection circuits;
  • the Figures 5 and 6 respectively represent in section and in top view an alternative embodiment of the granule separator for large diameter piping circuits.

L'invention trouve une application particulièrement intéressante dans le nettoyage systématique d'une installation, par exemple un échangeur de chaleur à plaques, qui est parcourue par un fluide tel que l'eau. Il pourrait toutefois s'agir d'un autre fluide caloporteur.The invention finds a particularly interesting application in the systematic cleaning of an installation, for example a plate heat exchanger, which is traversed by a fluid such as water. However, it could be another heat transfer fluid.

Comme représenté sur la figure 1, le système 1 comprend une installation 10 à nettoyer qui est raccordée en entrée à une conduite ou canalisation 11 d'arrivée d'eau.As shown on the figure 1 , the system 1 comprises an installation 10 to be cleaned which is connected at the inlet to a pipe or pipe 11 of water inlet.

L'installation 10 est raccordée en sortie à une conduite ou canalisation 12 d'évacuation d'eau.The installation 10 is connected at the outlet to a conduit or pipe 12 for discharging water.

Le système comprend également un dispositif de nettoyage 14 qui, plus particulièrement, fait l'objet de l'invention.The system also comprises a cleaning device 14 which, more particularly, is the subject of the invention.

Le dispositif de nettoyage 14 mis en oeuvre à cet effet est destiné à intervenir entre les canalisations d'entrée 11 et de sortie 12. Il utilise une charge 15 de corps de nettoyage qui est à faire circuler dans l'installation 10 à nettoyer en fonction des besoins.The cleaning device 14 used for this purpose is intended to intervene between the inlet pipe 11 and outlet pipe 12. It uses a cleaning body load 15 which is to be circulated in the installation 10 to be cleaned according to needs.

Les corps de nettoyage constituant cette charge 15 sont, par exemple, des billes ou des granulés, en matière synthétique ou minérale.The cleaning bodies constituting this load 15 are, for example, beads or granules, synthetic or mineral material.

Leur dimension est faible et est, par exemple, comprise entre 1 et 2 mm.Their dimension is small and is, for example, between 1 and 2 mm.

De façon générale, le dispositif de nettoyage 14 comporte, en coopération avec des moyens de filtration 16 à insérer sur la canalisation d'entrée 11, des moyens de séparation 17 qui, tels que décrits plus en détail ultérieurement, sont propres à recueillir les corps de nettoyage constituant la charge 15 dans la canalisation de sortie 12 et à réintroduire, dans la canalisation d'entrée 11, les corps de nettoyage ainsi recueillis.In general, the cleaning device 14 comprises, in cooperation with filtration means 16 to be inserted on the inlet pipe 11, separation means 17 which, as described in more detail later, are suitable for collecting the bodies cleaning device constituting the load 15 in the outlet pipe 12 and reintroduce, in the inlet pipe 11, the cleaning bodies thus collected.

Les moyens de filtration 16 comprennent un appareillage filtrant 19 comportant, dans un corps globalement cylindrique 20, une paroi filtrante 21 elle aussi globalement cylindrique et fixe. Le nettoyage du corps filtrant 21 s'effectue en ouvrant une vanne 26 montée sur une conduite 27 raccordée à l'extrémité aval du corps filtrant 21 et conduisant l'eau de lavage sortant du corps filtrant 21 à la canalisation 12 de sortie. La force motrice créant l'écoulement est constituée par la perte de charge du circuit entre l'entrée du filtre 16 et l'aval du séparateur 17.The filtration means 16 comprise a filtering apparatus 19 comprising, in a generally cylindrical body 20, a filtering wall 21 which is also generally cylindrical and fixed. Cleaning the filter body 21 is effected by opening a valve 26 mounted on a pipe 27 connected to the downstream end of the filter body 21 and leading the washing water leaving the filter body 21 to the outlet pipe 12. The driving force creating the flow is constituted by the pressure drop of the circuit between the inlet of the filter 16 and the downstream of the separator 17.

Les dispositions correspondantes étant bien connues en elles-mêmes et ne relevant pas de la présente invention, elles ne seront pas décrites plus en détail ici.Since the corresponding arrangements are well known in themselves and do not fall within the scope of the present invention, they will not be described in more detail here.

On notera que la maille de la paroi filtrante 21 est suffisamment fine pour pouvoir arrêter les débris éventuellement véhiculés par le flux d'eau F1 arrivant par la canalisation d'entrée 11.It will be noted that the mesh of the filtering wall 21 is sufficiently thin to be able to stop the debris possibly conveyed by the flow of water F1 arriving via the inlet pipe 11.

La maille est, par exemple, de l'ordre de 0,5 mm.The mesh is, for example, of the order of 0.5 mm.

Selon l'invention, les moyens de filtration 16 ainsi configurés et les moyens de séparation 17 mettent en oeuvre des appareillages filtrants distincts et statiques, contrairement à l'art antérieur.According to the invention, the filtration means 16 thus configured and the separation means 17 use separate and static filtering apparatus, contrary to the prior art.

Autrement dit, les moyens de séparation 17 selon l'invention ne font pas intervenir l'appareillage de filtration 19 des moyens de filtration placés sur la conduite d'amenée 11.In other words, the separation means 17 according to the invention do not involve the filtration apparatus 19 filtration means placed on the supply line 11.

Au contraire, les moyens de séparation 17 mettent en oeuvre deux appareillages filtrants 29, 30 spécifiques.On the contrary, the separation means 17 implement two filtering devices 29, 30 specific.

De manière très générale, on associe à ces appareillages 29 et 30 un ensemble de vannes V1 à V7, et de clapets C1 et C2 qui sont adaptés pour configurer l'un au moins d'entre eux alternativement en dérivation ou en série, sur la canalisation d'entrée 11 et sur la canalisation de sortie 12, avec, traversée de la paroi filtrante de l'appareillage correspondant dans un cas, et sans traversée de cette paroi filtrante dans l'autre.In a very general manner, these apparatuses 29 and 30 are associated with a set of valves V1 to V7, and valves C1 and C2 which are adapted to configure at least one of them alternatively bypass or series, on the inlet pipe 11 and on the outlet pipe 12, with the filtering wall of the corresponding apparatus passing through in one case, and without passing through this filtering wall in the other.

Dans la forme de réalisation plus particulièrement représentée sur la figure 1, seul l'un des appareillages filtrants 29, 30, en l'espèce l'appareillage filtrant 30, est ainsi susceptible d'être alternativement mis en dérivation sur l'une ou l'autre des canalisations d'entrée 11 et de sortie 12. L'appareillage 30 est disposé en aval de l'appareillage filtrant 29 qui fait office de concentrateur pour l'appareillage 30, tandis que l'appareillage filtrant 30 fait office de collecteur.In the embodiment more particularly represented on the figure 1 , only one of the filtering devices 29, 30, in this case the filtering apparatus 30, is thus capable of being alternately shunted on one or the other of the inlet and outlet pipes 11 The apparatus 30 is disposed downstream of the filter apparatus 29 which acts as a concentrator for the apparatus 30, while the filter apparatus 30 acts as a collector.

En pratique, l'appareillage filtrant 29 est directement interposé sur la canalisation de sortie 12, immédiatement en aval de l'installation 10. Il comporte un organe filtrant 32a qui, sous le contrôle d'une vanne manuelle V1 montée sur une conduite 34 reliant la sortie 36 de l'appareillage filtrant 29 à l'entrée 37 de l'appareillage filtrant 30, est mis en communication avec l'appareillage filtrant 30.In practice, the filtering apparatus 29 is directly interposed on the outlet pipe 12, immediately downstream of the installation 10. It comprises a filtering member 32a which, under the control of a manual valve V1 mounted on a pipe 34 connecting the outlet 36 of the filter apparatus 29 at the inlet 37 of the filter apparatus 30 is put in communication with the filtering apparatus 30.

En pratique, l'organe filtrant 32a de l'appareillage filtrant 29 est disposé axialement dans un corps cylindrique 38 et la canalisation de sortie 12 entre axialement dans ce corps 38, dans une zone d'entrée 40, pour en sortir latéralement, dans une zone de sortie 41.In practice, the filtering member 32a of the filtering apparatus 29 is arranged axially in a cylindrical body 38 and the outlet pipe 12 between axially in this body 38, in an inlet zone 40, to exit laterally, in an outlet zone 41.

Il résulte de ce qui précède que, par rapport à la partie entrante de la canalisation de sortie 12, l'organe de filtration 32a est allongé longitudinalement au fil de l'eau, c'est-à-dire suivant la direction longitudinale de l'écoulement provenant de la canalisation 12.It follows from the foregoing that, with respect to the incoming portion of the outlet pipe 12, the filter member 32a is longitudinally elongate with the water line, that is to say in the longitudinal direction of the flow from line 12.

L'organe 32a s'étend entre une plaque d'obturation 42 disposée transversalement dans le corps cylindrique 38 et un élément convergent tel qu'un cône 44 reliant l'organe filtrant 32a à la sortie 36.The member 32a extends between a closure plate 42 arranged transversely in the cylindrical body 38 and a convergent element such as a cone 44 connecting the filtering member 32a to the outlet 36.

Le flux d'eau entrant dans le corps 38 est donc contraint à traverser l'organe filtrant 32a.The flow of water entering the body 38 is forced to pass through the filter member 32a.

En pratique, cet organe filtrant 32a se présente sous la forme d'une cartouche cylindrique.In practice, this filtering member 32a is in the form of a cylindrical cartridge.

Comme représenté sur les figures 1 et 2, il présente sur une partie au moins de sa longueur, une paroi filtrante cylindrique 46a formée de fils de section transversale triangulaire 47 qui sont écartés les uns des autres et séparés par des fentes 48 parallèles entre elles. Ces fils sont cerclés extérieurement, pour leur maintien, par des entretoises 49.As shown on figures 1 and 2 , it has on at least part of its length, a cylindrical filter wall 46a formed of son of triangular cross section 47 which are spaced from each other and separated by slots 48 parallel to each other. These son are circled externally, for their maintenance, by spacers 49.

On notera que les fentes 48 aménagées dans la paroi filtrante 46a sont avantageusement allongées suivant la direction longitudinale d'écoulement du flux entrant dans l'organe filtrant 32a.It will be noted that the slots 48 formed in the filtering wall 46a are advantageously elongate in the longitudinal flow direction of the flow entering the filtering member 32a.

La perte de charge induite par cet organe filtrant 32a est donc faible, et ce, d'autant plus que, tel qu'il est mis en oeuvre, cet organe filtrant 32a offre globalement à l'eau une grande section de passage.The pressure drop induced by this filtering member 32a is therefore low, and this, especially as, as it is implemented, this filtering member 32a generally offers water a large passage section.

La largeur des fentes 48 est par exemple comprise entre 0,8 et 1 mm.The width of the slots 48 is for example between 0.8 and 1 mm.

On notera que la paroi filtrante 21 peut également adopter la même constitution à l'exception toutefois de la taille des mailles qui doit être plus fine que pour la paroi 46a.It will be noted that the filtering wall 21 can also adopt the same constitution, except that the mesh size must be thinner than for the wall 46a.

En pratique, le cône 44 forme, au droit de la partie sortante 41 de la conduite de sortie 12, une zone morte pour éviter de perturber le flux sortant correspondant.In practice, the cone 44 forms, in line with the outgoing portion 41 of the outlet duct 12, a dead zone to avoid disturbing the corresponding outgoing flow.

Dans la forme de réalisation représentée, l'appareillage filtrant 30 faisant office de collecteur comporte, dans un corps 56, un organe filtrant 32b du même type que l'organe filtrant 32a de l'appareillage 29.In the embodiment shown, the filtering apparatus 30 acting as a collector comprises, in a body 56, a filtering member 32b of the same type as the filtering member 32a of the apparatus 29.

Ainsi, l'organe filtrant 32b présente, sur une partie au moins de sa longueur, une paroi filtrante 46b à fentes 48 allongées suivant la direction longitudinale d'écoulement du flux entrant présent à l'entrée 37 de l'organe.Thus, the filtering member 32b has, over at least part of its length, a filtering wall 46b with slots 48 elongate in the longitudinal flow direction of the incoming flow present at the inlet 37 of the member.

Le corps 56 est alimenté par une conduite 58 raccordée à la conduite d'arrivée 11 et qui est contrôlée par la vanne V2 (vanne commandée).The body 56 is fed by a pipe 58 connected to the inlet pipe 11 and which is controlled by the valve V2 (controlled valve).

Commune au corps 56 et à l'organe filtrant 32b correspondant, l'entrée 37 n'intéresse en pratique que l'organe filtrant.Common to the body 56 and the corresponding filter member 32b, the inlet 37 is of interest in practice only the filter member.

La sortie 59 du corps 56 est reliée à la canalisation de sortie 12 par une conduite 60 contrôlée par une vanne V3 (vanne commandée). En pratique, la conduite 60 débouche dans la canalisation de sortie 12 par l'intermédiaire d'un venturi 62 interposé sur celle-ci à proximité de l'extrémité de sortie du système où sort le flux de sortie F2, en aval du débouché de la conduite 27.The outlet 59 of the body 56 is connected to the outlet pipe 12 by a pipe 60 controlled by a valve V3 (controlled valve). In practice, the pipe 60 opens into the outlet pipe 12 via a venturi 62 interposed thereon near the outlet end of the system where the outlet flow F 2 comes out, downstream of the outlet of driving 27.

La sortie 63 de l'organe filtrant 32b de l'appareillage filtrant 30 est, quant à elle, reliée à la canalisation d'entrée 11 par une conduite 64 équipée d'un clapet anti-retour C2 et d'une vanne manuelle d'isolation V4.The outlet 63 of the filtering member 32b of the filter apparatus 30 is, in turn, connected to the inlet pipe 11 by a pipe 64 equipped with a non-return valve C2 and a manual valve of V4 insulation.

En pratique, cette conduite 64 débouche dans la canalisation d'entrée 11 par l'intermédiaire d'un venturi 65 interposé sur celle-ci.In practice, this pipe 64 opens into the inlet pipe 11 via a venturi 65 interposed thereon.

Enfin, il est prévu, dans l'axe de l'appareillage filtrant 30 et donc, dans l'axe de son organe filtrant 32b, un embout d'entrée V5 monté sur l'entrée 37 et qui est adapté à permettre, si on le souhaite, un contrôle de l'état d'usure de corps de nettoyage constituant la charge 15 et, si nécessaire, l'introduction d'une nouvelle charge.Finally, it is provided, in the axis of the filter apparatus 30 and therefore, in the axis of its filter member 32b, an inlet nozzle V5 mounted on the inlet 37 and which is adapted to allow, if If desired, a check of the state of wear of the cleaning body constituting the load 15 and, if necessary, the introduction of a new load.

Dans la forme de réalisation représentée sur les figures 1 à 4, les vannes V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6 et V7 sont toutes des vannes à deux voies. Seules les vannes V2 et V3 sont obligatoirement motorisées et donc commandables à distance compte tenu de la fréquence des cycles d'injection et de récupération des corps nettoyants. On notera que le cycle d'injection et de récupération des corps a une durée de l'ordre de plusieurs dizaines de seconde, durée qui dépend plus particulièrement de la géométrie du circuit.In the embodiment shown on the Figures 1 to 4 valves V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6 and V7 are all two-way valves. Only the valves V2 and V3 are necessarily motorized and therefore remotely controllable given the frequency of injection cycles and recovery of the cleaning bodies. It will be noted that the cycle of injection and recovery of the bodies has a duration of the order of several tens of seconds, a duration which depends more particularly on the geometry of the circuit.

Les vannes V2 et V3 sont par exemple des vannes à manchon.Valves V2 and V3 are, for example, pinch valves.

La vanne V7 disposée sur la sortie 63 de l'appareillage 30 permet de retirer les corps filtrants du circuit et de les recueillir, par exemple, dans un panier perforé 70. Un évent contrôlé par la vanne V6 permet d'éliminer l'air lors du remplissage de l'organe 29.The valve V7 disposed on the outlet 63 of the apparatus 30 makes it possible to remove the filtering bodies from the circuit and to collect them, for example, in a perforated basket 70. A vent controlled by the valve V6 makes it possible to eliminate the air during filling the organ 29.

On notera que la conduite 34, l'organe de filtration 30 et la conduite 60 forment un circuit de récupération des corps de nettoyage dans lequel les corps sont transportés sur une partie seulement du circuit, jusqu'à l'organe. Le fluide véhiculant les corps jusque là peut, quant à lui, traverser la paroi filtrante de l'organe et rejoindre la conduite 60. L'organe de filtration 29 peut aussi être considéré, de façon optionnelle, comme faisant partie du circuit de récupération.It will be noted that the pipe 34, the filtering member 30 and the pipe 60 form a cleaning body recovery circuit in which the bodies are transported on only part of the circuit, to the organ. The fluid carrying the bodies so far can, in turn, through the filter wall of the body and join the pipe 60. The filter member 29 may also be considered, optionally, as part of the recovery circuit.

Par ailleurs, la conduite 58, l'organe de filtration 30 et la conduite 64 forment un circuit de réinjection des corps de nettoyage qui se sont arrêtés sur la paroi intérieure de l'organe. Le fluide qui est autorisé à circuler dans le circuit pénètre ainsi dans l'organe et entraine les corps hors de l'organe et vers l'aval du circuit pour les réinjecter.Moreover, the pipe 58, the filtering member 30 and the pipe 64 form a reinjection circuit of the cleaning bodies which have stopped on the inner wall of the body. The fluid that is allowed to circulate in the circuit thus enters the body and drives the bodies out of the body and downstream of the circuit to reinject them.

On notera que l'organe de filtration 30 est commun aux deux circuits précités et est soumis alternativement à deux courants de fluide différents qui permettent, selon le courant imposé, le stockage des corps de nettoyage dans cet organe ou leur entrainement vers l'aval à partir du point de stockage (collecte).It will be noted that the filtering member 30 is common to the two aforementioned circuits and is alternately subjected to two different fluid streams which, according to the imposed current, allow the storage of the cleaning bodies in this unit or their downstream drive to from the point of storage (collection).

D'une façon générale, le système selon l'invention comprend une partie de circuit consacrée à la filtration (16), une partie de circuit consacrée à la collecte/récupération des corps de nettoyage et qui inclut un sas collecteur 30 intervenant à tour de rôle, soit en zone haute pression, soit en zone basse pression.In general, the system according to the invention comprises a circuit part dedicated to filtration (16), a circuit part devoted to the collection / recovery of the cleaning bodies and which includes a collector chamber 30 operating in turn. role, either in the high pressure zone or in the low pressure zone.

Fonctionnement du système.System operation.

La mise en service débute avec la fermeture des vannes V2, V3, V5, V6, V7 et des clapets C1 et C2 du fait des pressions existantes dans le circuit. Les vannes d'isolement V1 et V4 sont ouvertes. Les corps nettoyants qui ont été préalablement stockés dans le collecteur 30 vont être réinjectés dans la conduite 11 en établissant une circulation de fluide dans le circuit de réinjection précité, comme illustré sur la figure 3.Commissioning starts with the closing of valves V2, V3, V5, V6, V7 and valves C1 and C2 because of existing pressures in the circuit. The isolation valves V1 and V4 are open. The cleaning bodies that have been previously stored in the collector 30 will be reinjected into the pipe 11 by establishing a flow of fluid in the aforementioned reinjection circuit, as shown in FIG. figure 3 .

L'actionnement des vannes appropriées permet de mettre ce circuit en dérivation sur la conduite d'arrivée 11. Plus particulièrement, l'injection des corps nettoyants dans l'installation 10 se fait par ouverture de la vanne commandée V2. L'eau prélevée à la pression amont du système circule dans la tuyauterie 58, pénètre dans le corps 56 du collecteur 30 qui entoure l'élément filtrant 46b, traverse cet élément filtrant 46b à contre-courant, entraîne les corps nettoyants vers la sortie 63 du collecteur, puis dans la tuyauterie 64 à travers le clapet C2 et la vanne V4, le tout sous l'effet de l'aspiration créée par le venturi 65. Les corps nettoyants sont alors dirigés vers l'installation 10 via la conduite 11. La pression dans le collecteur 30 étant supérieure à celle dans la conduite de sortie, le clapet anti-retour C1 est maintenu fermé. Après quelques secondes, tous les corps nettoyants ont été injectés. Le système est alors mis en phase de collecte des corps de nettoyage en établissant une circulation de fluide dans le circuit de récupération précité (figure 4). Ainsi, cette phase est initiée par la fermeture de la vanne V2 et par ouverture de la vanne V3. Les corps, arrêtés par le corps filtrant 46a, sont entraînés par le courant d'eau qui s'établit dans la conduite 36, sont collectés et stockés dans l'élément filtrant 46b. L'eau sort ensuite du collecteur 30 par la sortie 59 et la conduite 60 sous l'effet de l'aspiration créée par le venturi 62. Le clapet C1 est maintenu ouvert par le flot circulant, tandis que le clapet C2 est maintenu fermé par la pression régnant à l'amont du circuit et qui est supérieure à celle régnant dans la partie aval où se trouve le collecteur 30. On notera que dans cette phase le circuit de récupération est monté en dérivation sur la conduite de sortie 12.The actuation of the appropriate valves makes it possible to put this circuit in derivation on the inlet pipe 11. More particularly, the injection of the cleaning bodies in the installation 10 is done by opening the controlled valve V2. The water sampled at the upstream pressure of the system circulates in the pipe 58, enters the body 56 of the manifold 30 which surrounds the filter element 46b, passes through this filter element 46b against the current, drives the cleaning bodies towards the outlet 63 the manifold, then in the pipe 64 through the valve C2 and the valve V4, all under the effect of the suction created by the venturi 65. The cleaning bodies are then directed to the installation 10 via the pipe 11. The pressure in the manifold 30 being greater than that in the outlet pipe, the non-return valve C1 is kept closed. After a few seconds, all the cleaners were injected. The system is then put in phase of collection of the cleaning bodies by establishing a circulation of fluid in the aforementioned recovery circuit ( figure 4 ). Thus, this phase is initiated by closing the valve V2 and opening the valve V3. The bodies, stopped by the filter body 46a, are driven by the stream of water which is established in the pipe 36, are collected and stored in the filter element 46b. The water then exits the manifold 30 through the outlet 59 and the pipe 60 under the effect of the suction created by the venturi 62. The valve C1 is kept open by the flowing stream, while the valve C2 is kept closed by the pressure prevailing upstream of the circuit and which is greater than that prevailing in the downstream part where the collector 30 is located. It will be noted that in this phase the recovery circuit is connected in shunt to the outlet pipe 12.

La répétition permanente ou périodique du cycle injection/collecte assure le nettoyage du système 10 par l'effet abrasif des corps nettoyants passant sur les surfaces d'échange. On notera que seules les vannes V2 et V3 sont motorisées et que les corps nettoyants ne sont jamais en contact avec ces vannes.The permanent or periodic repetition of the injection / collection cycle ensures the cleaning of the system 10 by the abrasive effect of the cleaning bodies passing over the exchange surfaces. It should be noted that only valves V2 and V3 are motorized and that the cleaning bodies are never in contact with these valves.

Graduellement, les corps nettoyants s'usent au cours du temps et doivent alors être changés. Ceci est réalisé en fermant d'abord les vannes V2, V3, V4, V5, V6 du système, puis en ouvrant la vanne V7. Le collecteur 30 se vide et les corps nettoyants usés sont arrêtés par le panier de récolte 70. Ensuite, on ferme la vanne V7 et on ouvre la vanne V5 pour y introduire la charge de corps nettoyants neufs, puis la vanne V5 est fermée et la vanne V6 est ouverte. La vanne V3 est alors ouverte, le collecteur 30 se remplit d'eau et l'air est évacué par l'évent V6. Lorsque le collecteur 30 est plein, les vannes V3 et V6 sont fermées et le système est alors prêt à démarrer un cycle de nettoyage de l'installation 10 avec la nouvelle charge de corps.Gradually, the cleaning bodies wear out over time and need to be changed. This is accomplished by first closing the system valves V2, V3, V4, V5, V6 and then opening the valve V7. The collector 30 empties and the used cleaning bodies are stopped by the harvesting basket 70. Then, the valve V7 is closed and the valve V5 is opened to introduce the charge of new cleaning bodies, then the valve V5 is closed and the V6 valve is open. The valve V3 is then open, the collector 30 fills with water and the air is discharged through the vent V6. When the manifold 30 is full, the valves V3 and V6 are closed and the system is then ready to start a cleaning cycle of the plant 10 with the new body load.

Le nettoyage périodique du filtre d'entrée 16 est totalement indépendant des cycles de fonctionnement mettant en oeuvre les corps nettoyants. Ce nettoyage est effectué en ouvrant la vanne 26, ce qui crée une violente circulation d'eau dans la conduite 27 entraînant les éléments colmatants arrêtés sur la surface filtrante 21 vers la sortie du système située en aval du concentrateur 29. Le nettoyage peut être déclenché soit par l'opérateur soit automatiquement par une horloge programmée ou en mesurant de façon connue en soi l'accroissement de la perte de charge.The periodic cleaning of the inlet filter 16 is completely independent of the operating cycles using the cleaning bodies. This cleaning is performed by opening the valve 26, which creates a violent circulation of water in the pipe 27 causing the clogging elements stopped on the filter surface 21 to the outlet of the system located downstream of the concentrator 29. The cleaning can be triggered either by the operator or automatically by a programmed clock or by measuring in a manner known per se the increase in the pressure drop.

Le système, tel que représenté sur la figure 1 comporte un filtre d'entrée monocartouche 16 et un séparateur 17, également monocartouche. Cette disposition simple est convenable pour les installations de relativement faible débit conduisant à des diamètres de conduites 11 et 12 faibles. Dès que le diamètre croît, la longueur des appareils 16 et 17 devient particulièrement grande, ce qui accroit de façon significative les dimensions et donc l'encombrement global du système. Afin de réduire l'encombrement, on agence plusieurs corps filtrants ou cartouches en parallèle dans un corps unique. Cette disposition ne pose aucune difficulté pour le filtre d'entrée 16, et elle ne sera donc pas décrite plus avant ici. Pour le séparateur 17, la nature des corps nettoyants qui sont généralement des granulés de faible diamètre crée un certain nombre de difficultés. En effet, les granulés ont tendance à s'accumuler dans toutes les zones mortes des conduites du système, c'est-à-dire dans les zones où la vitesse de l'eau est faible ou nulle. Les granulés ne circulant plus, ils ne permettent plus le nettoyage du système 10. On notera que le séparateur peut également être réalisé sous forme multicartouche pour autant toutefois qu'il ne présente aucune zone propice au dépôt des corps nettoyants.The system, as represented on the figure 1 comprises a single-cartridge input filter 16 and a separator 17, also a single-cartridge. This simple arrangement is suitable for relatively low flow installations leading to low pipe diameters 11 and 12. As soon as the diameter increases, the length of Devices 16 and 17 become particularly large, which significantly increases the dimensions and therefore the overall size of the system. In order to reduce the size, several filter bodies or cartridges are arranged in parallel in a single body. This arrangement does not pose any difficulty for the input filter 16, and it will not be described further here. For the separator 17, the nature of the cleaning bodies which are generally small diameter pellets creates a number of difficulties. Indeed, the granules tend to accumulate in all the dead zones of the pipes of the system, that is to say in the areas where the speed of the water is low or zero. The granules no longer circulating, they no longer allow the cleaning of the system 10. Note that the separator can also be made in multicartouche form provided that it has no area conducive to the deposition of the cleaning bodies.

Les figures 5 et 6 illustrent un moyen de séparation qui peut être mis en place dans le système de la figure 1.The Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a means of separation that can be put into place in the system of figure 1 .

La figure 5 est une vue en coupe longitudinale du filtre séparateur 29 de la figure 1 et la figure 6 est une vue du dessus suivant A du séparateur, la tuyauterie 12 étant enlevée par souci de clarté.The figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the separator filter 29 of the figure 1 and the figure 6 is a top top view A of the separator, the piping 12 being removed for the sake of clarity.

L'appareil comprend un corps globalement cylindrique 80, formant l'enveloppe de l'appareil, et dans lequel sont disposés plusieurs corps filtrants 82 qui, par exemple, sont de formes globalement cylindriques et parallèles à l'axe du corps 80. L'entrée d'eau dans l'appareil se fait à une extrémité du corps qui est équipée d'une bride 83 sur laquelle une bride 84 solidaire de la tuyauterie 12 vient se fixer.The apparatus comprises a generally cylindrical body 80, forming the casing of the apparatus, and in which are disposed a plurality of filter bodies 82 which, for example, are generally cylindrical in shape and parallel to the axis of the body 80. water inlet into the device is at one end of the body which is equipped with a flange 83 on which a flange 84 secured to the pipe 12 is fixed.

La bride 83 est plus particulièrement montée autour d'une pièce de répartition du flot 85. Cette pièce qui a, par exemple, l'allure d'une plaque épaisse, par exemple circulaire, a un diamètre extérieur égal au diamètre intérieur du corps 80.The flange 83 is more particularly mounted around a distribution part of the stream 85. This piece which has, for example, the shape of a thick plate, for example circular, has an outside diameter equal to the inside diameter of the body 80 .

Elle comporte un conduit ou canal d'alimentation 86 pour chaque corps filtrant 82 (cartouche) qui alimente ledit corps à partir de l'arrivée d'eau. Il y a donc autant de canaux 86 que de crépines.It comprises a conduit or supply channel 86 for each filter body 82 (cartridge) which feeds said body from the water inlet. There are therefore as many channels 86 as strainers.

L'agencement de canaux dans la plaque de répartition 85 permet de ne pas avoir de zone morte dans laquelle les corps nettoyants pourraient se loger et y rester.The arrangement of channels in the distribution plate 85 makes it possible to have no dead zone in which the cleaning bodies could be housed and remain there.

Une telle plaque de répartition n'est pas nécessaire si l'on souhaite réaliser le filtre 16 sous la forme d'un filtre multicartouche car dans ce filtre le problème de l'existence d'une zone morte vis-à-vis des corps nettoyants ne se pose pas.Such a distribution plate is not necessary if it is desired to make the filter 16 in the form of a multicart filter because in this filter the problem of the existence of a dead zone vis-à-vis the cleaning bodies does not arise.

On notera que les corps filtrants 82 ne sont pas nécessairement tous identiques.It will be noted that the filter bodies 82 are not necessarily all identical.

Ces canaux sont inclinés par rapport à l'axe longitudinal du corps 80 de manière à ce que l'ensemble des ouvertures d'alimentation situées sur la face amont de la plaque 85 (ouvertures visibles sur la figure 6) soit inscrit dans le cercle délimitant la section de passage de l'ouverture d'arrivée de la conduite 12 au niveau de la bride 84.These channels are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the body 80 so that all the feed openings located on the upstream face of the plate 85 (openings visible on the figure 6 ) is written in the circle delimiting the passage section of the inlet opening of the pipe 12 at the flange 84.

L'ouverture de sortie de chacun des canaux 86 comporte dans la plaque 85 des embrèvements 87 qui permettent de tenir les corps filtrants 82 en position.The outlet opening of each of the channels 86 includes in the plate 85 recesses 87 which hold the filter bodies 82 in position.

En partie aval, les corps filtrants 82 sont maintenus dans l'embrèvement de la plaque 88 du cône 89 de collecte des corps nettoyants et de l'eau de lavage. Ainsi, les corps filtrants sont maintenus en position dans le corps 80 à chacune de leurs deux extrémités longitudinales opposées.In downstream part, the filter bodies 82 are held in the recess of the plate 88 of the cone 89 for collecting the cleaning bodies and the washing water. Thus, the filter bodies are held in position in the body 80 at each of their two opposite longitudinal ends.

Les corps filtrants et l'eau de lavage sortent axialement par la tubulure 90 équipée d'une bride 91. Le flot principal d'eau débarrassé des corps filtrants ressort, quant à lui, par la tuyauterie radiale 92 également située vers l'extrémité avale du corps 80.The filtering bodies and the washing water leave axially through the tubing 90 equipped with a flange 91. The main stream of water freed from the filtering bodies spring, for its part, by the radial pipe 92 also located towards the downstream end. body 80.

Il convient de noter que l'appareil ainsi construit ne présente aucune zone où les corps nettoyants pourraient stagner et réduire l'efficacité globale du système de nettoyage. En outre, cet appareil présente un encombrement longitudinal relativement réduit compte tenu de l'efficacité de filtration par rapport à un agencement comportant un seul filtre longitudinal d'efficacité de filtration équivalente.It should be noted that the apparatus thus constructed has no area where the cleaning bodies could stagnate and reduce the overall efficiency of the cleaning system. In addition, this apparatus has a relatively small longitudinal size given the filtration efficiency compared to an arrangement comprising a single longitudinal filter of equivalent filtration efficiency.

Selon une variante non représentée, les venturis qui créent les écoulements en n'engendrant qu'un minimum de perte de charge dans le circuit peuvent, par souci d'économie et, lorsque la perte de charge globale du circuit n'est pas critique, être remplacés par des diaphragmes. En aval de ces diaphragmes les conduites 60 et 64 rejoignent respectivement les conduites principales d'entrée d'eau filtrée 11 et de rejet d'eau.According to a variant not shown, the venturis which create the flows by generating only a minimum of pressure drop in the circuit can, for the sake of economy and, when the overall pressure drop of the circuit is not critical, be replaced by diaphragms. Downstream of these diaphragms the lines 60 and 64 respectively join the main conduits for entering filtered water 11 and water discharge.

Claims (12)

  1. A system comprising:
    - an installation (10) to be cleaned connected at the inlet to a fluid feed pipe (11) fed with fluid and at the outlet to a fluid evacuation pipe (12),
    - a device (14) for cleaning the installation that is adapted to cause to flow in the installation (10) cleaning bodies (15) conveyed by the flowing fluid, the cleaning device including on the inlet pipe filter means (16) for filtering the fluid and on the evacuation pipe separator means for collecting the cleaning bodies (15), characterized in that the separator means (17, 30) and the filter means (16) are static and comprise separate filters, the separator means including a filter member (30), the cleaning device including a circuit for recovering cleaning bodies circulating in the evacuation pipe (12) and a circuit for reinjecting recovered cleaning bodies into the inlet pipe (11), the two circuits having in common the filter member (30) and being used alternately by actuating a set of controlled valves (V2, V3) present in the portions of the circuits that do not convey the cleaning bodies in order to cause the fluid to flow either in the recovery circuit to collect in the filter member (30) cleaning bodies coming from the pipe (12) or in the reinjection circuit to drive the cleaning bodies collected in the filter member (30) toward the pipe (11).
  2. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter member (30) includes an inlet (37) and an oulet (63) and is surrounded by a body (56), the inlet (37) being connected to an upstream recovery pipe (34) through which the cleaning bodies are transported towards the filter member before being collected by the filtering element (46b) of the latter, the outlet (63) being connected to a downstream pipe (64) for reinjecting cleaning bodies in the feed pipe (11), two pipes (58, 60) that are equipped with two controlled valves (V2, V3) respectively being connected to the body (56) upstream and downstream thereof respectively to bring and evacuate fluid therefrom depending on the controlled valves actuation, the pipe (58) opening into the body (56) surrounding the filtering element (46b).
  3. System according to Claim 2, characterized in that the recovery circuit comprises the recovery pipe (34), the filter member (30) and the pipe (60) equipped with the valve (V3), whereas the reinjection circuit comprises the pipe (58) equipped with valve (V2), the filter member (30) and the reinjection pipe (64).
  4. The system according to Claim 2 or to claim 3, characterized in that the cleaning body recovery circuit branches from the evacuation pipe (12) so that the filter member (30) stops the cleaning bodies flowing in the pipe (12) and allows the fluid to flow into the downstream portion of the circuit in order to return it to the pipe (12) when valve (V2) is closed and valve (V3) is open.
  5. The system according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the cleaning body reinjection circuit branches from the inlet pipe (11) in order to convey fluid taken from the pipe (11) to the body (56) surrounding the filtering element (46b), to cause it to enter the filter member (30) and to go in a countercurrent direction through the filtering element (46b) in order to entrain the cleaning bodies into the downstream portion of the reinjection circuit and toward the inlet pipe (11) when valve (V2) is open and valve (V3) is closed.
  6. The system according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the separator means (17) further include another filter member (29) placed on the evacuation pipe (12) upstream of the filter member (30) to stop the cleaning bodies (15) and to allow the fluid to pass in the pipe.
  7. The system according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of the cleaning body recovery and reinjection circuits includes means for creating suction in the circuit concerned in order to cause the flow of the fluid.
  8. The system according to Claim 7, characterized in that the means for creating suction in the circuit are arranged in the farthest portion of the circuit in the downstream direction.
  9. The system according to Claim 7 or to claim 8, characterized in that the means for creating suction on the circuit include a venture (62, 65).
  10. The system according to Claim 7 or to claim 8, characterized in that the means for creating suction on the circuit include a diaphragm.
  11. The system according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the filter member is a multicartridge filter including at the inlet a component for distributing the flow of fluid that includes a number of flow distribution passages each communicating with a filter cartridge, the assembly comprising the distributor component and the substantially parallel filter cartridges having an elongate general shape.
  12. The system according to Claim 11, characterized in that the filter cartridges are each held in position at both their respective opposite ends.
EP09178529.5A 2008-12-10 2009-12-09 Balls cleaning apparatus for heat exchanger Not-in-force EP2239064B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0858455A FR2939338B1 (en) 2008-12-10 2008-12-10 A BALL CLEANING SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR FOR A PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2239064A1 EP2239064A1 (en) 2010-10-13
EP2239064B1 true EP2239064B1 (en) 2015-09-30

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP09178529.5A Not-in-force EP2239064B1 (en) 2008-12-10 2009-12-09 Balls cleaning apparatus for heat exchanger

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US (1) US8474082B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2239064B1 (en)
FR (1) FR2939338B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE0702005L (en) * 2007-09-07 2008-12-16 Electrolux Ab Vacuum cleaner
CN104338718B (en) * 2013-07-23 2016-08-31 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 A kind of gathering line wax removal system and dewaxing method
US9756999B2 (en) 2014-12-22 2017-09-12 Aktiebolaget Electrolux Vacuum cleaner filtration system with filter cleaning mode
CN106197136A (en) * 2016-08-19 2016-12-07 无锡蓝天燃机热电有限公司 Steam turbine circulation water end (W.E.) difference control method
CN117053601B (en) * 2023-10-10 2023-12-22 普兰特换热设备(溧阳)有限公司 Plate heat exchanger for organic waste gas treatment

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3460203D1 (en) * 1984-01-09 1986-07-17 Gea Energiesystemtechnik Gmbh Cooling water circuit of a tube heat exchanger with an arrangement for introducing and separating spherical cleaning elements
DE4029475A1 (en) * 1990-09-17 1992-05-21 Eimer Klaus Device for distributing cleaning bodies - feeds bodies in cooling water current upstream of heat exchanger
FR2668083B1 (en) * 1990-10-18 1993-01-08 Jackson Philip BALL CLEANING DEVICE, PARTICULARLY FOR PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER.
FR2716530B1 (en) * 1994-02-24 1996-07-12 Beaudrey & Cie Interception device for solid elements circulating in a heat exchanger for cleaning the latter.
FR2764529B1 (en) * 1997-06-11 1999-08-20 Technos & Co INSTALLATION FOR CLEANING A TUBULAR BEAM AND SORTING DEVICE FOR REMOVING USED CLEANING BALLS FROM SUCH AN INSTALLATION

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20100146720A1 (en) 2010-06-17
EP2239064A1 (en) 2010-10-13
FR2939338A1 (en) 2010-06-11
FR2939338B1 (en) 2011-05-06
US8474082B2 (en) 2013-07-02

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