FR2668083A1 - Ball-type cleaning device particularly for plate-type heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device (14) designed to be used between the inlet pipes (11) and outlet pipes (12) serving the appliance to be cleaned (10) and employing a charge of cleaning bodies, to cause to be circulated through the appliance to be cleaned (10), with filtration means (16) on the inlet pipe (11) and separation means (14) for collecting the cleaning bodies in the outlet pipe (12) and reinjecting them into the inlet pipe (11). According to the invention, these filtration means (16) and separation means (17) employ separate filter apparatuses (19, 29, 30), and connected to the filter apparatuses (29, 30) of the separation means (14) is a set of valves (V1, V2, V3, V4) designed to enable at least one of them to be connected up alternately in parallel or in series to the inlet pipe (11) and to the outlet pipe (12) such that the corresponding filter wall (46) is traversed in the one case and not traversed in the other. Application particularly to the cleaning of plate-type heat exchangers.

Description

"Ball cleaning device, in particular for
plate heat exchanger "
The present invention relates generally to cleaning devices which, intended to intervene between the inlet and outlet pipes serving water to any installation to be cleaned, use a charge for cleaning the latter. of cleaning bodies to circulate in this installation.

 It relates more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to the case where, this installation being a plate heat exchanger, the cleaning bodies used are of relatively small size, of the order for example of 1 to 2 mm, in in practice in the form of beads or granules.

 One of the problems to be solved in the production of devices of this type is due to the need for these cleaning bodies to be separated from the treated stream in each cycle in order to reinject them into the stream in the following cycle.

 To meet this requirement, it has been proposed to implement, in cooperation with the filtration means usually to be inserted on the inlet pipe to stop debris of various origins, such as mineral, vegetable or organic, possibly transported by the flow concerned, separate separation means, on the one hand, for collecting the cleaning bodies in the outlet pipe, and, on the other hand, for introducing into the inlet pipe the cleaning bodies thus previously collected .

 In practice, in cleaning devices of this type known to date, the filtration means and the separation means consist of the same filtering devices.

 In other words, they are confused.

 Concretely, these are two filter baskets, or strainers, which, mounted in a rotating barrel, are alternately, and in turn, directly interposed on the inlet pipe and on the outlet pipe.

 Although such cleaning devices are satisfactory, in particular because they are self-cleaning, they have drawbacks, which are as follows.

 First of all, having to alternately provide filtration, with regard to debris, and recovery, with regard to cleaning bodies, they are only with difficulty well adapted to either of these functions.

 In addition, directly interposed on the inlet and outlet pipes, they require that, for their installation, these rub shoulders locally one another in two parallel sections.

 I1 frequently results in implementation difficulties for the whole.

 In addition, at each rotation of the barrel, the outgoing flow is momentarily no longer intercepted by any basket, and this results in each time a significant loss in cleaning body.

 Finally, due to the very fact that, during the recovery phase of these cleaning bodies, there is, interposed on the outlet pipe, a filter basket in which these gradually accumulate, the pressure drops are not general not negligible.

 The present invention generally relates to a cleaning device advantageously free of all or part of these drawbacks.

 This cleaning device is of the type which, intended to intervene between the inlet and outlet pipes serving any installation to be cleaned, implements a load of cleaning bodies to be circulated in this installation, and comprises, in cooperation with filtration means to be inserted on the inlet pipe, separation means suitable for collecting the cleaning bodies in the outlet pipe and for introducing into the inlet pipe the cleaning bodies thus previously collected, and it is d '' generally characterized in that the filtration means and the separation means which it comprises implement separate filtering apparatus, and in that, the separation means comprising two filtering apparatuses, it is associated with these apparatuses filters, a set of valves capable of having at least one of them alternately bypass, or in series e, on the inlet pipe and on the outlet pipe, with crossing of the corresponding filter wall in one case, and without crossing of this filter wall in the other.

 Thus, according to the invention, there is first of all a separation of the functions of filtering debris and recovering the cleaning bodies.

 The corresponding filtering devices can therefore advantageously be specifically adapted as best as possible 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 mesh at most equal to that of these separation means.

 The separation means are thus advantageously protected from any filtration function.

 In addition, the filtering devices constituting these separation means do not intervene directly on the inlet and outlet pipes, their installation is advantageously facilitated, and, during their intervention, there is advantageously no risk that this results in any loss of cleaning body.

 If, in addition, this intervention is carried out in relation to the inlet and outlet pipes, it advantageously does not result in any pressure drop thereon.

 If, according to simplified embodiments, this intervention is done in series, the pressure drops on these inlet and outlet pipes remain acceptable, however.

 Preferably, in fact, the filtering devices constituting the separation means according to the invention use one or more filtering members which, being in practice in the form of cylindrical cartridges, are advantageously elongated longitudinally over the water, according to the axis of the corresponding flow, or parallel to it.

 The cleaning bodies to be recovered therefore naturally concentrate in their only downstream part, and these filtering members thus advantageously remain passable over a great length, so that the pressure drops which they cause are advantageously low.

 Preferably, also, when drive means are necessary to compensate for such pressure drops, or, more generally, to overcome pressure differences, these drive means advantageously use simple venturis.

 Thus, the separation means according to the invention advantageously comprise, with the exclusion of valves, the intervention of which is only temporary, no mobile mechanical member.

 The cleaning bodies passing through them are advantageously provided.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which
Figure 1 is a block diagram of a cleaning device according to the invention and the installation to which it is applied;
Figure 2 is, with local cutaway, an elevational view of a practical embodiment of this cleaning device
Figures 3 and 4 are partial cross-sectional views of this embodiment along, each respectively, lines III-III and IV-IV of Figure 2
Figure 5 is, on a larger scale, a partial perspective view of one of the filtering members used in this embodiment
Figures 6 and 7 are block diagrams which, similar to that of Figure 1, relate, each respectively, to two alternative embodiments.

 As illustrated in these figures, it is a question, overall, of ensuring the systematic cleaning of any installation 10, for example a plate heat exchanger, which inlet 11 and outlet 12 pipes serve in water.

 The cleaning device 14 used for this purpose is intended to intervene between these inlet 11 and outlet 12 pipes, and, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, it implements a load 15 of cleaning body to be made circulate in installation 10 to be cleaned.

 The cleaning bodies constituting this load 15 are for example balls, or granules, made of synthetic material.

 Their dimension is small, for example being between 1 and 2 mm.

 Overall, and in a manner known per se, 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 cleaning bodies constituting the charge 15 in the outlet pipe 12 and for reintroducing into the inlet pipe 11 the cleaning bodies thus previously collected in this outlet pipe 12.

 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the filtration means 16 intervene, in practice, downstream of a valve 18.

 They use a filtering device 19 comprising, in a frustoconical body 20, a filtering wall 21, which, also frustoconical, basket-shaped, carries radially projecting fins 22 dividing the volume between it and the circularly body 20, and which, under the control of a motor 24 is mounted movable in rotation about its axis, so that, for its cleaning, each of the preceding compartments 23 is successively coming to the right of a discharge nozzle 25 connected to the outlet pipe 12 by a pipe 26 controlled by a valve 27.

 The corresponding provisions being well known in themselves, and not falling within the scope of the present invention, they will not be described in more detail here.

 It will suffice to indicate that the mesh of the filtering wall 21 is made sufficient to stop any debris possibly conveyed by the flow of water arriving through the inlet pipe 11.

 It is for example of the order of 0.8 mm.

 According to the invention, the filtration means 16 thus formed and the separation means 17 use separate filtering equipment.

 In other words, the separation means 17 implemented according to the invention do not involve the preceding filtering apparatus 19.

 On the contrary, these separation means 17 use two specific filtering devices 29, 30.

 According to the invention, and in a very general manner, there is associated, with these filtering devices 29, 30, a set of valves V1, V2 ... or V'1, V'2 ... suitable for allowing have at least one of them alternately in diversion, or in series, on the inlet pipe 11 and on the outlet pipe 12, with, as will appear below, crossing the filter wall 46 corresponding in one case and without crossing this filter wall 46 in the other.

 In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, only one of the filtering devices 29, 30, in this case the filtering device 30, is thus capable of being alternately bypassed, or in series , in this case in diversion, on the inlet pipe 11 and on the outlet pipe 12, and, arranged downstream of the other, in this case the filtering device 29, it acts as a concentrator for that here, this other filtering device 29 serving as a collector.

 In practice, this filtering device 29 is directly interposed on the outlet pipe 12, immediately downstream of the installation 10, and it comprises, in parallel, a plurality of filtering members 32, in cooperation with distribution means 33, which, under the control of a valve V1 interposed on a pipe 34 connecting one to the other the outlet 36 of the filtering device 29 to the inlet 37 of the filtering device 30, are able to turn role of communication these filtering members 32 with the filtering apparatus 30.

 In practice, the filtering members 32 of the filtering device 29 are arranged circularly around an axis, in a cylindrical body 38, and the outlet pipe 12 enters axially in this body 38, at 40, to exit laterally, in 41.

 It follows from the above that, with respect to the incoming part of the outlet pipe 12, the filter members 32 are elongated longitudinally over the water.

 They extend, parallel to each other, between two closure plates 42, 44, which, arranged transversely in the body 38, obscure the passage section offered by the latter.

 The flow of water entering the body 38 is therefore forced to pass through the filtering members 32, being distributed between them.

 In practice, these filtering members 32, which are all identical to each other, are in the form of cylindrical cartridges.

 They have, over at least part of their length, a cylindrical filter wall 46 formed of wires of triangular cross section 47, which, spaced from one another by parallel slots 48 forming meshes, are encircled, externally, for their retention, by spacers 49, Figures 2 and 5.

 As will be noted, the slots 48 of the filtering wall 46 thus presented by the filtering members 32 are advantageously elongated longitudinally, over the water, in the direction of the flow entering these filtering members 32.

 The pressure drops induced by these filtering members 32 are therefore low, and this all the more so since, implemented in number, being for example eight, as shown, these filtering members 32 generally offer a great deal of water. passage section.

 The width of their slots 48 is for example of the order of 1 mm.

 In practice, the filtering wall 46 of the filtering members 32 extends only over part of their length, their downstream end 50 forming, on the contrary, in line with the outgoing part 41 of the outlet pipe 12, a dead zone, to avoid disrupting the corresponding outgoing flow.

 The distribution means 33 comprise, on the one hand, a shutter 52, which, arranged transversely relative to the filtering members 32, at the downstream end 50 thereof, comprises, in line with these filtering members 32, at at least one passage 53, and, on the other hand, drive means, in this case a motor 54, capable of ensuring relative rotation between the filtering members 32 and the shutter 52.

 In the embodiment shown, the filtering members 32 are fixed, and the shutter 52 rotating.

 In practice, this shutter 52 is reduced to a plate, which, doubling the shutter plate 44 disposed at the downstream end of the body 38, is locked in rotation on the output shaft of the motor 54.

 Between the shutter plates 44 and the shutter 52 thus formed, there is an annular seal 55 around each of the filtering members 32.

 In the embodiment shown, the filtering device 30 acting as a concentrator comprises, in a body 56, a filtering member 32 of the same type as the previous ones.

 It is therefore a filter member 32 having, over at least part of its length, a filter wall 46 with slots 48 elongated longitudinally over the water, in the direction of the flow concerned.

 In addition to the pipe 34, the inlet 37 of the filtering apparatus 32 is connected to the inlet pipe 11, downstream of the filtration means 16, by a pipe 58 controlled by a valve V2.

 Common to the body 56 and to the corresponding filtering member 32, the input 37 only interests the latter in practice.

 The outlet 59 of the body 56 is connected to the inlet pipe 12 by a pipe 60 controlled by a valve V3.

 In practice, the pipe 60 opens into the outlet pipe 12 by means of a venturi 62 interposed thereon, upstream of the outlet in this outlet pipe 12 of the pipe 26.

 As for the outlet 63 of the filtering member 32 of the filtering apparatus 30, it is connected to the inlet pipe 11 by a pipe 64 controlled by a valve V4.

 In practice, this pipe 64 opens into the inlet pipe 11 by means of a venturi 65 interposed thereon downstream of the outlet in this inlet pipe 11 of the pipe 58.

 Finally, there is provided, in the axis of the filtering apparatus 30, and therefore, in the axis of its filtering member 32, an inlet nozzle 66 suitable for allowing, if desired, a control of the amount of cleaning body constituting the load 15 and, if necessary, the introduction of an additional amount thereof.

 In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the valves V1, V2, V3 and V4 are all two-way valves.

 Assume first of all that, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, only the valves V2 and V4 are open, while the valves V1 and V3 are closed.

 Via the lines 58 and 64, and as shown schematically by the arrows in dashed lines in FIG. 1, the internal volume of the filtering member 32 that comprises the filtering device 30 is then bypassed on the inlet pipe 11 , between the filtration means 19 and the venturi 65, and this filtering apparatus 30 is thus washed, without crossing the corresponding filtering wall 46.

 At the same time, the flow leaving the installation 10 to be cleaned crosses the filtering wall 46 of the filtering members 32 that the filtering device 29 includes, and it therefore gradually accumulates, in the internal volume of each of these filtering members 32, a certain amount of cleaning body.

 It will now be assumed that, unlike the previous configuration, the valves V1 and V3 are open while the valves V2 and V4 are closed.

 Under the control of the distribution means 33 the filtering members 32 of the filtering device 29 are spilled in turn into the filtering member 32 of the filtering device 30, in which the entire load 15 thus gradually collects. .

 Via the lines 34 and 60, and as shown diagrammatically by arrows in dashed lines in FIG. 1, the filtering device 30 is then bypassed on the outlet pipe 12, between the filtering device 29 and the venturi 62.

 The corresponding derivative flow passes through the filtering wall 46 of the filtering member 32 that this filtering device 30 comprises, and, it is to develop the necessary driving load, that, in this embodiment, the pipe 60 opens into the pipe d entry 12 via a venturi 62.

To return to the previous configuration, the valves
V1, V3 are closed, while the valves V2 and V4 are open.

 However, preferably, the valve V2 is opened before the valve V4.

 This results in, before the opening of the valve V4, a pressurization of the filtering apparatus 17, leading to a flushing effect when the valve V4 is open.

 At the opening of this valve V4, the charge 15 previously concentrated in the filtering device 30 is expelled, and, by the venturi 65, it is introduced into the inlet pipe 11, and therefore reinjected into the corresponding incoming stream , the venturi 65 having precisely the function of developing the motive load necessary for this purpose.

 For a charge 15 of twelve liters for example, the duration of this reinjection is of the order of a few seconds.

 The recovery of most of this charge 15 by the filtering device 29 takes approximately 15 seconds, depending on the length of the pipes and conduits.

 In practice, it is sufficient to ensure such a cleaning cycle every 150 sec for example, under the control of the motor 54 and of the valves V1, V2, V3, V4.

 Of course, the necessary on this subject can be provided automatically, the valves V1, V2, V3, V4 preferably being solenoid valves.

 In the embodiments shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 6 and 7, which are simplified embodiments which may be suitable for certain installations, one and the other of the filtering devices 29 and 30 are alternately bypass, or in series, on the inlet pipe 11 and on the outlet pipe 12, with crossing of the corresponding filter wall 46 in one case and without crossing of this filter wall 46 in the other.

 In practice, the filtering devices 29 and 30 are then identical, and they are single-piece devices, that is to say devices comprising only one filtering member 32 of the same type as that described above.

 The filtering devices 29 and 30 operate in parallel, and, in turn, they are alternately in the washing phase, and therefore in reinjection of the load of cleaning body, and in the collection phase of this load.

 In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIG. 6, the valves used are, as before, two-way valves.

 For convenience, and to simplify the presentation, references of the same type are used to designate them.

 Thus, by a pipe 34 controlled by a valve V1, on the one hand, and a pipe 60 controlled by a valve V3, on the other hand, the filtering devices 29 and 30 are each in parallel inserted in series on the outlet pipe 12 through the interior volume of their filtering member 32.

 Thus, jointly, that, by a pipe 58 controlled by a valve V2, on the one hand, and by a pipe 64 controlled by a valve V4, on the other hand, they are each in parallel established in bypass on the inlet pipe 11 through their body 56.

 In the first case, there is a crossing of their filtering wall 46, and, therefore, collection of the charge 15.

 In the second case, there is no crossing of this filtering wall 46, and therefore washing and ejection of the load 15, and therefore reinjection of the latter into the circuit.

 As before, this reinjection takes place via a venturi 65.

 On the other hand, the filtering devices 29 and 30 being in series on the outlet pipe 12, it is no longer necessary to provide a venturi thereon.

If, for example, and as shown diagrammatically by arrows in solid lines in FIG. 6, the filtering device 29 is in the collection phase while the filtering device 30 is in the washing and reinjection phase, the valves V1 and
V3 relating to the filtering device 29 are open, the valves V2, V4 which relate to it are closed, and the reverse is the case for the filtering device 30.

 As for the filtration means 16, they are of any type.

 The filtering wall 21 which they comprise has been shown diagrammatically in broken lines in FIG. 6.

 In the embodiment shown diagrammatically in FIG. 7, in which the valves used are three-way valves, the filtering devices 29 and 30 are both alternately in series on the inlet pipe 11 and on the outlet pipe 12.

 Thus, on the inlet side, the filtering devices 29 and 30 are connected, in parallel, on the one hand, to the outlet of the installation 10 to be controlled, by a pipe 34 controlled by a valve V '. 1, and, on the other hand, at the outlet of the filtration means 16, by a pipe 58 controlled by a valve V'2.

 Jointly, on the side of their outlet, and in parallel, the interior volume of their filtering member 32 is connected to the inlet of the installation 10 by a pipe 64 controlled by a valve V'4, and their body 56 is connected to the outlet pipe 12, via a pipe 60 controlled by a valve V'3.

 In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, and as shown diagrammatically by arrows in solid lines, the filtering device 29 is in the collection phase, with the filtering wall 46 of its filtering member 32 passing through the flow leaving the installation 10.

 At the same time, the filtering apparatus 30 is in the washing and reinjection phase, the incoming flow coming from the filtration means 16 passing through its filtering member 32 in the direction of the installation 10 without crossing its filtering wall 46.

 For a reverse configuration, resulting from a quarter-turn pivot of the valves V'1, V'2, V'3, V'4, and as shown schematically by arrows in dashed lines, this is the filtering device 30 which is in the collection phase while the filtering device 29 is then in the washing and reinjection phase.

 In both cases, the filtering devices 29 and 30 are in series either on the inlet pipe 11, for the washing and reinjection phase, or on the outlet pipe 12, for the collection phase. , and, thus, no more venturi is necessary.

 Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any variant.

 In particular, the filtering means operating at the inlet of the assembly can also use filtering elements in the form of cartridges with a cylindrical filtering wall with slots elongated parallel to the flow of water of the type of organs. filters used in the associated separation means.

 These filtering members can in this case be carried by a clean rotating barrel to allow them to be alternately swept against the current for cleaning.

Claims (19)

 1. Cleaning device, in particular for plate heat exchanger, of the type which is intended to intervene between the inlet (11) and outlet (12) pipes of the installation (10) to be cleaned, and which operates a load (15) of cleaning body to circulate in this installation (10), this device comprising, in cooperation with filtration means (16) to be inserted on the inlet pipe (11), separation means (17) suitable for collecting the cleaning bodies in the outlet pipe (12) and for introducing into the inlet pipe (11) the cleaning bodies thus previously collected, characterized in that the filtration means (16) and the separation means (17) use separate filtering devices (19, 29 and 30), and in that, the separation means (16) comprising two filtering devices (29, 30), it is associated with these filtering devices (29, 30), a set of valves (V1, V2 , V3, V4 - V'1, V'2, V'3, V'4) suitable for making it possible to have at least one of them alternately as a bypass, or in series, on the inlet pipe (11 ) and on the outlet pipe (12), with crossing of the corresponding filter wall (46) in one case and without crossing of this filter wall (46) in the other.  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that only one of the filtering devices (30) is capable of being alternately bypassed, or in series, on the inlet pipe (11) and on the pipe of outlet (12), and, arranged downstream of the other filtering device (29), it acts as a concentrator for it, said other filtering device (29) acting as a collector and comprising in parallel a plurality of filtering members ( 32), in cooperation with distribution means (33), which, under the control of a valve (xi), are able to take turns communicating said filtering members (32) of the filtering device (29 ) acting as a collector with the filtering device (30) acting as a concentrator.  3. Cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that, the filtering members (32) of the filtering device (29) acting as a collector being arranged circularly around an axis, the distribution means (33) comprise , on the one hand, a shutter (52), which, arranged transversely with respect to said filtering members (32), comprises at least one passage (53) in line with these, and, on the other hand, means of drive (54) capable of ensuring relative rotation between these filtering members (32) and this shutter (52).  4. Cleaning device according to claim 3, characterized in that the shutter (52) is reduced to a plate.  5. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 3, 4, characterized in that the filtering members (32) of the filtering device (29) acting as a collector are fixed and the shutter (52) is rotating.  6. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the filtering device (30) acting as a concentrator comprises only a filtering member (32).  7. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the filtering apparatus (30) of the separation means (17) is alternately bypass on the inlet pipe (11) and on the outlet pipe (12).  8. Cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that one and the other of the filtering devices (29, 30) of the separation means (17) are alternately bypass, or in series, on the pipe of inlet (11) and on the outlet pipe (12).  9. Cleaning device according to claim 8, characterized in that the filtering devices (29, 30) of the separation means (17) each comprise only one filtering member (32).  10. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 8, 9, characterized in that the filtering devices (29, 30) of the separation means (17) are identical.  11. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the equipment (29, 30) of the separation means (17) are alternately bypass on the inlet pipe (11) and in series on the outlet pipe (12).  12. Cleaning device according to claim 11, characterized in that the valves (V1, V2, V3, V4) are two-way valves.  13. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the filtering devices (29, 30) of the separation means (17) are alternately in series on the inlet pipe (11) and on the outlet pipe (12).  14. Cleaning device according to claim 13, characterized in that the valves (V'1, V'2, V'3, V'4) are three-way valves.  15. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that the filter member (s) (32) that comprise the filter devices (29, 30) of the separation means (17) are lengthened longitudinally with the wire. some water.  16. Cleaning device according to claim 15, characterized in that the filtering wall (46) of the filtering members (32) that comprise the filtering devices (29, 30) of the separation means (17) is cylindrical.  17. Cleaning device according to claim 16, characterized in that the meshes of the filtering wall (46) of the filtering members (32) are constituted by parallel slots (48).  18. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the filtering apparatus (19) of the filtration means (16) also comprises filtering members (32) elongated over water.  19. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that, drive means being implemented, these drive means are constituted by venturis (62, 65).