GB730767A

GB730767A - Improvements in fluid heater cleaners

Info

Publication number: GB730767A
Application number: GB33825/53A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Babcock and Wilcox Ltd
Current assignee: Babcock International Ltd
Priority date: 1952-12-04
Filing date: 1953-12-04
Publication date: 1955-05-25

Abstract

730,767. Abrasive blasting. BABCOCK & WILCOX, Ltd. Dec. 4, 1953 [Dec. 4, 1952], No. 33825/53. Class 60. Apparatus for cleaning, by fluid-borne pellets, the surfaces of heat exchange tubes contacted by gases carrying solids in suspension comprises a hopper 21 provided with a filler neck 22 having a closure 23; the bottom wall 24 has an aperture 26 leading to a trough 27 along which extends an agitator screw 25 driven through belt 32 by an air motor 30. Air is supplied to the motor through a conduit 36 connected to a main air line 34 supplied with pressure air through a diaphragm operated valve 35; air line 34 is also connected by conduit 361 to a pressure sealed stuffing-box 31. Main air line 34 is connected at its discharge end to a valve 37 and connection 38 to a supply or main air tube 40 telescoped within a blower tube 45 extending into port 14 in the wall 11 of tubular heatexchanger 10. Upstream of valve 37, an air line 41 is branched off from main line 34 and extends through air tube 40 to a point in advance of the discharge end of the latter; line 41 has a connection 42 leading from trough 27 whereby pellets from hopper 21 are delivered into the stream. of pressure air flowing along tube 41. A pressure equalizing pipe 43 connects the discharge end of the trough 27 and the filler neck 22. The blower tube 45 is mounted for axial reciprocation and simultaneous rotation, relative to port 14, by a drive mechanism 50. The outer end of the blower tube 45 is closed by a plate 52, e.g. welded in position; two oppositely directed discharge nozzles 55 are welded into the side walls of the blower tube. The nozzles may be provided in an end portion formed separately from but secured to the main portion of the blower tube. The inner surfaces of the plate 52 and of the nozzles 55 have wearresistant linings. The space between the nozzles 55 and end-plate 52 forms a pelletreceiving pocket wherein trapped pellets act as a barrier to minimise wear on the lining of the plate 52.