Anti-fouling device for heat exchanger and use thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device for reducing fouling in heat exchanger tubes and a heat exchanger comprising such an anti-fouling device. The anti-fouling device includes an elongate displacer insertable into a heat exchanger tube to reduce the flow cross-sectional area in a portion of the tube. It also includes a mount connected to the elongated displacer for attaching the device to the end of the heat exchanger tube. The mount is configured to hold the replacement body in a spaced apart relationship from the inner surface of the tube when the replacement body is inserted into the tube. The disclosed anti-fouling device effectively reduces fouling in a heat exchanger in a reliable manner over an extended period of time, without maintenance or without external control, can be provided at a relatively low cost, is easy to install, and can also be retrofit to existing heat exchangers. It is particularly suitable for mitigating problems associated with fouling in heat exchangers encountered by thermal combustion or process gases, such as in the production of carbon black, fumed silica or other particulate matter, without contaminating or adversely affecting the properties of products recoverable from the process gases.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an anti-fouling device and its use for reducing or avoiding fouling in heat exchangers. The invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising such a device and its use in industrial processes, in particular in the production of carbon black. Background technique [0002] Heat exchangers are widely used in various industrial processes to recover energy from thermal process or combustion gases and transfer it to heat exchange fluids to increase the overall efficiency of the process. For example, recovered energy can be used to: heat one or more reactants, in which case the reactants can be used directly as a heat exchange fluid; or to help maintain desired operating or reaction temperatures in the process; or For other purposes, including those not directly related to the process itself, such as for electricity generation or district heating. In some of these processes, heat exchangers may be subjected to fairly hig...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0021] Auxiliary equipment of the type described above can satisfactorily reduce fouling, at least in part; however, they add to the mechanical complexity and sensitivity of the overall system, requiring the use of specific materials capable of withstanding severe operating conditions, especially when subjected to high temperature process media , and require increased control and maintenance

Furthermore, such devices are costly and cannot be easily retrofitted to existing heat exchangers

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