JPH05280890A - Automatic cleaning apparatus for heat transfer tube - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically clean an interior of a heat transfer tube by periodically feeding a cleaner such as rubber balls, etc., into the tube by a water flow. CONSTITUTION:A switching valve 52 provided in a water supply passage 42 and a switching valve 54 provided in a tube 46 for control are operated to be switched to move check valves 56, 58 in a water chamber, and rubber balls 30 in the chamber are transferred to an inlet header 18 of a heat exchanger 10 by a water flow. When the balls 30 pass through a heat transfer tube 12, the interior of the tube 12 is cleaned, and the balls 30 which have cleaned the tube are recovered to the chamber through an outlet header 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically cleaning the inside of a heat transfer tube by periodically passing a cleaning body through the heat transfer tube with a water stream.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the following devices have been known as devices for cleaning the inside of a heat transfer tube of a heat exchanger. (1) A brush was inserted into the heat transfer tube, the water flow direction was reversed using a four-way switching valve, and the brush moved while rotating due to the water flow to automatically remove dirt adhering to the inner wall of the heat transfer tube. apparatus. (2) Sponge balls are poured into the cooling water of the refrigerator condenser, the balls are pushed into the heat transfer tube by using the cooling water flow, and the scale adhering to the inner surface of the heat transfer tube is automatically washed at all times during operation. A device that is designed to do.

[0003]

However, the method (2) requires a plurality of automatic switching valves and a partition valve in the ball vessel, which complicates the structure and requires a large space for installation. That is, there is a problem that an expensive and large-sized device is required. Further, the above method (1) has a problem that a large four-way switching valve is required and the chiller / heater must be stopped during cleaning. The present invention has been made in view of the above points,
An object of the present invention is to provide a heat transfer tube automatic cleaning device which can be automatically cleaned with a simple structure and can be incorporated into a device having a heat transfer tube such as a heat exchanger and does not require a special peripheral space or operation device. It is what

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the heat transfer tube automatic cleaning device of the present invention is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a heat transfer tube 12 of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger 10. In the heat transfer tube cleaning device for cleaning the inside of the tube using the cleaning body 30, the first water chamber 62 connected to the lower portion of the outlet header 14 of the heat transfer tube 12 and the check valve 56 at the lower portion of the first water chamber 62. Second connected via
A water chamber 64, a third water chamber 66 connected to the lower portion of the second water chamber 64 via a check valve 58, and a lower portion of the third water chamber 66 for opening and closing the check valve 58. Diaphragm 60
In the fourth water chamber 68 and the second water chamber 64, which are connected to each other under the check valve 56 and the water inlet 26 of the inlet header 18.
A water supply passage 42 having a switching valve 52 for connecting
A cleaning body transfer passage 44 that connects the third water chamber 66 and the inlet header 18, and an operation pipe including a switching valve 54 that connects the upstream side of the switching valve 52 of the water supply passage 42 and the fourth water chamber 68. 46, the first water chamber 62 and the second water chamber 64, and a pressure equalizing pipe 50 that connects the vicinity of the water outlet 22 of the outlet header 14, and a porous body for cleaning body recovery provided near the water outlet 22 of the outlet header 14. A body 32, an orifice plate 34 provided in the vicinity of the connection between the water inlet 26 and the inlet header 18,
It is characterized by consisting of. Further, in this device, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the water passage 72 for cleaning body recovery is provided with a switching valve 74 that connects the upstream side of the switching valve 52 of the water supply passage 42 and the outlet header 14. And a nozzle 76 for flowing water along the porous body 32 for cleaning body recovery, which is connected to the water passage 72.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, another apparatus of the present invention is a heat transfer tube cleaning apparatus for cleaning the inside of the heat transfer tube 12 of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger 10 using a cleaning body 30. , Outlet header 14 of heat transfer tube 12
A first water chamber 62 connected to the lower portion, and a second water chamber 64 connected to the lower portion of the first water chamber 62 via a check valve 56,
In the second water chamber 64, the water supply passage 42 provided with the switching valve 52, which connects the lower part of the check valve 56 and the water inlet 26 of the inlet header 18, and the second water chamber 64 and the inlet header 18 are connected. A cleaning body transfer passage 80 having a check valve 78,
A pressure equalizing pipe 50 that connects the first water chamber 62 and the second water chamber 64 to the water outlet 22 vicinity of the outlet header 14, and a cleaning body recovery porous body 32 provided near the water outlet 22 of the outlet header 14. , And an orifice plate 34 provided in the vicinity of the connection between the water inlet 26 and the inlet header 18. Further, in this apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a water passage 72 for cleaning body recovery, which is provided with a switching valve 74, which connects the upstream side of the switching valve 52 of the water supply passage 42 and the outlet header 14. And a nozzle 76 for flowing water along the porous body 32 for cleaning body recovery, which is connected to the water passage 72.

As the cleaning body 30, a sphere, a triangular body, a polygonal body, a spiral body or the like having a specific gravity of more than 1 is used. When using a sphere, it is particularly preferable to use a sponge ball, a rubber ball or the like having a diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the heat transfer tube. Further, in order to facilitate the transfer of the cleaning body 30, the inner diameters of the cleaning body transfer passage 44 and the cleaning body transfer passage 80 are made larger than the inner diameter of the heat transfer tube 12.

[0007]

1 and 2, the switching valve 52 and the switching valve 5
The check valve 56 and the check valve 58 are moved by the switching operation of 4, and the cleaning body (hereinafter, referred to as a rubber ball) such as a rubber ball in the second water chamber 64 and the third water chamber 66 is moved to the inlet header 18 by the water flow. When the rubber balls 30 are transferred and subsequently pass through the heat transfer tube (hereinafter referred to as “tube”) 12, the inside of the tube 12 is cleaned, and the inside of the tube is cleaned, and the rubber ball 30 passes through the outlet header 14 and the passage 48. It is collected in the first water chamber 62. 5 and 6, the rubber ball 30 in the second water chamber 64 is transferred to the inlet header 18 by the switching operation of the switching valve 52, and when the rubber ball 30 continues to pass through the tube 12, the tube 12
The inside of the tube is cleaned, and the rubber ball 30 subjected to the cleaning of the inside of the tube is collected in the first water chamber 62 via the outlet header 14 and the passage 48. In addition, in FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 8, by utilizing the water flow of the water inlet 26 of the heat exchanger, the rubber balls attached to the ball recovery porous body 32 are moved downward by the water flow, The rubber balls are easily collected in the first water chamber 62 and the second water chamber 64. In any case, the specific gravity of the cleaning body 30 such as a rubber ball is set to be slightly larger than 1. If necessary, the above operation is repeated several times a day.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the constituent devices described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to only those, unless otherwise specified, and simply It's just an example. Example 1 FIGS. 1 and 2 show an apparatus according to this example. In FIG. 1, the water inlet 26 and the inlet header 18 of the heat exchanger 10
An orifice plate 34 is provided in the middle of the flow path to generate a pressure difference from the water supply passage 42 on the upstream side of the orifice plate 34 through the second water chamber 64, the third water chamber 66 and the cleaning body transfer passage 44 and the inlet header. After adjusting the pipe resistance and flow rate so that a flow of water to 18, a part of the cooling water flowing from the water inlet 26 of the heat exchanger is introduced into the water supply passage 42 and the switching valve 52 is opened to cool it. Water flows into the second water chamber 64, pushes up the check valve 56 to partition the first water chamber 62 and the second water chamber 64, and the pressure in the first water chamber 62 is lower than that in the second water chamber 64. The check valve 56 is closed due to this pressure difference. At this time, the switching valve 54 is closed and the check valve 58 is open. Then, the rubber balls 30 accumulated in the second water chamber 64 and the third water chamber 66 ride on the flow of water, pass through the transfer passage 44, move to the inlet header 18, are dispersed, and enter the separate tubes 12. .. When one rubber ball enters the tube 12, the flow is temporarily blocked,
The rest of the rubber balls 30 flow into the other tubes 12 whose flow is not obstructed one after another, so that the rubber balls 30 naturally disperse into each tube one by one. .. When the rubber ball 30 passes through the inside of the tube 12, the scale inside the tube is removed and taken out of the machine, so that the inside surface of the tube is cleaned automatically and continuously. The rubber ball 30 passing through the tube passes through the outlet header 14 and the passage 48 and collects in the first water chamber 62.
When the rubber balls 30 in the second water chamber 64 and the third water chamber 66 are all collected in the first water chamber 62, the cleaning cycle ends. 38 is an inlet for a fluid flowing outside the heat transfer tube 12 of the heat exchanger 10, 40 is an outlet for a fluid similarly flowing outside the heat transfer tube 12, and 70 is a connection between the third water chamber 66 and the fourth water chamber 68. When closing the switching valve 54 and opening the check valve 58 with a communicating thin tube,
It is a pipe for releasing the pressure of the fourth water chamber 68. Then, when the switching valve 54 is opened and the check valve 58 is closed, the pressure of the water flowing into the fourth water chamber 68 is reduced and the water is allowed to flow into the third water chamber 66.

Next, when the switching valve 52 is closed and the switching valve 54 is opened as shown in FIG. 2, the fourth water chamber 68 passes through the switching valve 54.
The diaphragm 60 is pushed up by the pressure (water pressure) of the water flowing to the check valve 58, and the check valve 58 is closed. When the check valve 58 closes,
The pressure in the second water chamber 64 is reduced as the water in the second water chamber 64 passes through the pressure equalizing pipe 50. Therefore, the pressure difference between the first water chamber 62 and the second water chamber 64 disappears, and the check valve 56 lowers and opens due to its own weight. Rubber balls 30 accumulated in the first water chamber 62
Falls into the second water chamber 64 and collects in the second water chamber 64. Next, the rubber ball 3 is opened until the switching valve 52 opens and the switching valve 54 closes.
0 remains stored in the second water chamber 64, and one cycle of the rubber ball cleaning cycle is completed. Next, when the switching valve 52 is opened and the switching valve 54 is closed, the rubber ball 30 goes through the second water chamber 64, the third water chamber 66, and the same cleaning cycle as described above. In addition, the switching valve 5
2. When both the switching valves 54 are closed, both the check valve 58 and the check valve 56 are opened, and the rubber balls 30 are accumulated in the third water chamber 66. The rubber ball 30 circulates in the heat exchanger and the cleaning device under any one of operating conditions such as a cleaning cycle, a recovery cycle, and a stop, and then the rubber ball 30 is in any of the first water chamber 62, the second water chamber 64, and the third water chamber 66. Since it accumulates in the crab, it does not adversely affect the performance of the heat exchanger and the like.

Embodiment 2 This embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as shown in FIGS.
In the device, a porous body (filter) for collecting the washed body
The cleaning body adhering to 32 is moved by a water stream so that it can be collected more reliably. Water inlet 26 of heat exchanger
When a part of the cooling water is guided to the passage 72 and the switching valve 74 is opened, the cooling water flows out from the nozzle 76, and the rubber balls attached to the ball recovery porous body 32 are pushed downward by the flow, and the first water chamber The balls are easily collected in the second water chamber 64 and the second water chamber 64. Other configurations and operations are similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Embodiment 3 FIGS. 5 and 6 show the apparatus of this embodiment. In FIG. 5, the water inlet 26 and the inlet header 18 of the heat exchanger 10
The orifice plate 34 is provided in the middle of the path to generate a pressure difference from the water supply passage 42 on the upstream side of the orifice plate 34 through the second water chamber 64, the check valve 78 and the cleaning body transfer passage 80 and the inlet header 18 After adjusting the conduit resistance and flow rate so that a flow of water occurs, part of the cooling water flowing from the water inlet 26 of the heat exchanger is fed into the water supply passage 4.
2 and the switching valve 52 is opened, the cooling water flows into the second water chamber 64.
Flow into the water and push up the check valve 56 to partition the first water chamber 62 and the second water chamber 64, the pressure in the first water chamber 62 is lower than that in the second water chamber 64, and due to this pressure difference, the check valve 56 Closes. At this time, the check valve 78 is opened by the force of flowing water. Then, the rubber balls 30 accumulated in the second water chamber 64 ride on the flow of water, pass through the transfer passage 80, move to the inlet header 18, are dispersed, and enter the separate tubes 12. When one rubber ball enters the tube 12, the flow is temporarily hindered, and the remaining rubber balls 30 flow into the other tubes 12 whose flow is not obstructed one after another. The rubber balls 30 are naturally dispersed in each tube. When the rubber ball 30 passes through the tube 12, the scale inside the tube is removed and taken out of the machine, so that the inner surface of the tube is automatically and continuously cleaned. The rubber ball 30 that has passed through the tube passes through the outlet header 14 and the passage 48 and collects in the first water chamber 62. When all the rubber balls 30 in the second water chamber 64 are collected in the first water chamber 62, the cleaning cycle ends.

Next, when the switching valve 52 is closed as shown in FIG. 6, the water in the second water chamber 64 escapes through the pressure equalizing pipe 50 and the pressure drops. Therefore, the pressure in the second water chamber 64 is lower than the pressure in the transfer passage 80 on the downstream side of the check valve 78, and the check valve 78 is closed in an attempt to backflow the water. Also,
For the same reason, the pressure difference between the first water chamber 62 and the second water chamber 64 disappears, and the check valve 56 lowers and opens due to its own weight.
The rubber balls 30 accumulated in the first water chamber 62 fall into the second water chamber 64 and accumulate in the second water chamber 64. Next, the switching valve 52 opens,
The rubber ball 30 stays in the second water chamber 6 until the check valve 56 is closed.
4 remains, and one rubber ball cleaning cycle is completed. Next, when the switching valve 52 is opened, the rubber ball 30 goes from the second water chamber 64 through the check valve 78 to the same cleaning cycle as described above. The rubber ball 30 circulates in the heat exchanger and the cleaning device under any one of operating conditions of cleaning cycle, recovery cycle, and stop, and then the first water chamber 6
Since it is stored in either the second water chamber 64 or the second water chamber 64, it does not adversely affect the performance of the heat exchanger and the like.

Embodiment 4 In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, FIGS.
In the device, a porous body (filter) for collecting the washed body
The cleaning body attached to 32 is moved by a water stream to be collected. When a part of the cooling water is introduced from the water inlet 26 of the heat exchanger into the passage 72 and the switching valve 74 is opened, the nozzle 7
The cooling water flows out from the 6, and the rubber balls attached to the ball collecting porous body 32 are pushed downward by the flow, and the balls are easily collected in the first water chamber 62 and the second water chamber 64. Other configurations and operations are similar to those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0014]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects. (1) With a simple configuration, the inside of the heat transfer tube can be automatically cleaned without stopping the operation of the apparatus. (2) Since it can be compactly constructed, it requires a small installation space, can be easily incorporated in the apparatus, and is easy to operate.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the inside of a tube is cleaned, showing an embodiment of an automatic heat transfer tube cleaning device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a state where the rubber balls are collected by switching the state of FIG.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the device of the present invention, and is an explanatory view showing a state where rubber balls are collected.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the inside of the tube is washed by switching the state of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state where the inside of the tube is being washed, showing another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state where the state of FIG. 5 is switched to collect the rubber balls.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a state where rubber balls are collected, showing still another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the inside of the tube is washed by switching the state of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Heat Exchanger 12 Heat Transfer Tube 14 Outlet Header 18 Inlet Header 22 Water Outlet 26 Water Inlet 30 Cleaning Body 32 Porous Body for Cleaning Body Recovery 34 Orifice Plate 38 Fluid Inlet 40 Fluid Outlet 42 Water Supply Passage 44 Cleaning Body Transfer Passage 46 Operation pipe 48 Passage 50 Pressure equalizing pipe 52 Switching valve 54 Switching valve 56 Check valve 58 Check valve 62 First water chamber 64 Second water chamber 66 Third water chamber 68 Fourth water chamber 70 Communication thin pipe 72 Washer recovery Water passage for water 74 Switching valve 76 Nozzle 78 Check valve 80 Cleaning body transfer passage

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A shell-and-tube heat exchanger (1
In the heat transfer tube cleaning device for cleaning the inside of the heat transfer tube (12) of (0) using the cleaning body (30), the first water chamber (62) connected to the lower part of the outlet header (14) of the heat transfer tube (12). ), A second water chamber (64) connected to the lower part of the first water chamber (62) through a check valve (56), and a check valve (64) connected to the lower part of the second water chamber (64). 58) and a third water chamber (66) connected to the lower part of the third water chamber (66) via a diaphragm (60) for opening and closing the check valve (58). The fourth water chamber (68) was provided with a switching valve (52) that connects the lower portion of the check valve (56) and the water inlet (26) of the inlet header (18) in the second water chamber (64). A water supply passage (42), a cleaning body transfer passage (44) connecting the third water chamber (66) and the inlet header (18), and water. An operation pipe (46) having a switching valve (54) for connecting the upstream side of the switching valve (52) of the supply passage (42) and the fourth water chamber (68), the first water chamber (62), and A pressure equalizing pipe (5) connecting the second water chamber (64) and the vicinity of the water outlet (22) of the outlet header (14).
0), a porous body (32) for cleaning body recovery provided near the water outlet (22) of the outlet header (14), and near the connection between the water inlet (26) and the inlet header (18) A heat transfer tube automatic cleaning device, comprising: 2. A water passage (72) for cleaning body recovery, comprising a switching valve (74) for connecting the upstream side of the switching valve (52) of the water supply passage (42) and the outlet header (14). The transmission according to claim 1, further comprising: a nozzle (76) connected to the water passage (72) for flowing water along the porous body (32) for recovering the cleaning body. Automatic heat pipe cleaning device. 3. A shell-and-tube heat exchanger (1
In the heat transfer tube cleaning device for cleaning the inside of the heat transfer tube (12) of (0) using the cleaning body (30), the first water chamber (62) connected to the lower part of the outlet header (14) of the heat transfer tube (12). ), A second water chamber (64) connected to the lower part of the first water chamber (62) via a check valve (56), and a check valve (56) of the second water chamber (64). A water supply passage (42) having a switching valve (52) for connecting the lower part and the water inlet (26) of the inlet header (18), and connecting the second water chamber (64) and the inlet header (18). A cleaning body transfer passage (80) provided with a check valve (78)
And a pressure equalizing pipe (5) connecting the first water chamber (62) and the second water chamber (64) to the vicinity of the water outlet (22) of the outlet header (14).
0), a porous body (32) for cleaning body recovery provided near the water outlet (22) of the outlet header (14), and near the connection between the water inlet (26) and the inlet header (18) A heat transfer tube automatic cleaning device, comprising: 4. A water passage (72) for cleaning body recovery, comprising a switching valve (74) for connecting the upstream side of the switching valve (52) of the water supply passage (42) and the outlet header (14). A nozzle (76) for flowing water along the porous body (32) for recovering the cleaning body, which is connected to the water passage (72),
The automatic heat transfer tube cleaning device according to claim 3, further comprising: