Cleaning tool for heat exchange tube array of waste heat boiler

Abstract

The cleaning tool for the heat exchange tube array of the waste heat boiler is characterized in that the heat exchange tube array comprises a plurality of heat exchange tubes, each heat exchange tube is provided with a plurality of heat exchange fins, the heat exchange fins of each heat exchange tube form a plurality of insertion paths, and the cleaning tool comprises a gas conveying hose, a first end part and a second end part opposite to the first end part, the first end part is connected to a compressed gas source through a first joint; the control valve is connected to the second end part of the gas conveying hose through a second joint, and the control valve is configured to control the flow of the compressed gas from the gas conveying hose; and a rigid purge pipe having a connecting end and an opposite free end, the purge pipe being insertable into at least one of the insertion paths, the connecting end being connected to the control valve, the purge pipe being provided with a plurality of purge holes for injecting compressed gas, the plurality of purge holes being distributed both along the length and circumferential direction of the purge pipe. The cleaning tool allows a brand-new mode of cleaning the heat exchange tube and avoids various defects of conventional sand blasting treatment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning tool for a heat exchange tube array of a waste heat boiler. Background Art

[0002] In the chemical industry, waste heat boilers are often used to recover waste heat generated in the production process, thereby achieving the goal of energy conservation and emission reduction. During the operation of the waste heat boiler, the high-temperature exhaust gas in the chemical production process is introduced into the waste heat boiler, and the heat of the high-temperature exhaust gas is used to exchange heat with the water in the heat exchange tube of the heat exchanger part of the waste heat boiler, so that the heat of the exhaust gas is transferred to the water in the heat exchange tube. The water that obtains heat can be provided to the outside in the form of hot water or steam, thereby realizing the recovery of waste heat from the production process.

[0003] The heat exchange tubes of the waste heat boiler are usually arranged in the form of a heat exchange tube array including a large number of heat exchange tubes. Each heat exchange tube extends in a vertical direction. A number of heat exchange fins surround each heat exchange tube and are arranged at equal intervals along the length of the heat exchange tube to increase the heat exchange area of ​​the heat exchange tube, thereby facilitating the efficiency of heat exchange.

[0004] However, the high-temperature exhaust gas generated in the chemical production process usually carries a large amount of particulate matter, and the particulate matter is easy to adhere to the heat exchange tubes, especially the heat exchange fins. Therefore, as the use time increases, the particulate matter attached to the heat exchange tubes accumulates into dirt, which will eventually affect the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger itself.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to regularly clean the dirt accumulated on the heat exchange tubes to ensure the heat exchange efficiency. In conventional technical means, sand blasting is usually used to clean the heat exchange tubes of waste heat boilers. However, sand blasting has multiple disadvantages.

[0006] First, the sandblasting process itself introduces additional sand particles, which often leave a large amount of particles on the boiler bottom that require additional removal after the cleaning operation, increasing the workload and cost of the cleaning operation.

[0007] Secondly, since the sandblasting device for sandblasting is large in size, operators are often unable to insert the sandblasting device deep into the heat exchange tube array and can only sandblast from the outside of the heat exchange tube array. This results in that although the sandblasting has a good cleaning effect on the heat exchange tubes located outside the heat exchange tube array, it cannot achieve a good cleaning effect on the heat exchange tubes located inside the heat exchange tube array.

[0008] Finally, sandblasting involves spraying high-speed sand directly onto the part of the heat exchange tube to be cleaned. Although the heat exchange tube is also made of metal, the long-term use of sandblasting will still wear the surface of the heat exchange tube to a certain extent, resulting in an increase in the use and maintenance costs of the waste heat boiler.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need for a new cleaning tool for a heat exchange tube array of a waste heat boiler, which can solve the aforementioned problems. Utility Model Content

[0010] By using the cleaning tool for the heat exchange tube array of the waste heat boiler according to the present disclosure, it is possible to avoid the introduction of additional sand particles, and the cleaning operation can be performed deep into the heat exchange tube array without causing wear to the heat exchange tubes.

[0011] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning tool for a heat exchange tube array of a waste heat boiler, wherein the heat exchange tube array comprises a plurality of heat exchange tubes, each of which is provided with a plurality of heat exchange fins, and the heat exchange fins of each heat exchange tube form a plurality of insertion paths, and the cleaning tool comprises: a flexible gas supply hose, wherein the gas supply hose has a first end and an opposite second end, and the first end is connected to a compressed gas source through a first joint for inputting compressed gas; a control valve, wherein the control valve is connected to the second end of the gas supply hose through a second joint, and the control valve is configured to control the flow rate of the compressed gas from the gas supply hose; and a rigid purge pipe, wherein the purge pipe has a connecting end and an opposite free end, the purge pipe can be inserted into at least one of the insertion paths, the connecting end is connected to the control valve, and a plurality of purge holes for spraying the compressed gas are provided on the purge pipe, and the plurality of purge holes are distributed along both the length direction and the circumferential direction of the purge pipe.

[0012] In one embodiment, the purge pipe is provided with the plurality of purge holes on a section thereof close to the free end.

[0013] In one embodiment, the plurality of heat exchange tubes extend vertically respectively, and each insertion path extends horizontally and is defined by corresponding two adjacent heat exchange fins of each heat exchange tube.

[0014] In one embodiment, the plurality of purge holes are distributed at an angle of 90 degrees from each other along the circumferential direction of the purge tube.

[0015] In one embodiment, the plurality of purge holes are distributed at constant intervals along the length direction of the purge tube.

[0016] In one embodiment, the free end of the purge tube is closed by a closing portion.

[0017] In one embodiment, the purge tube further comprises a gripping portion disposed adjacent to the connecting end.

[0018] In one embodiment, the cleaning tool further comprises a pressure gauge connected between the second connector and the control valve.

[0019] In one embodiment, the cleaning tool further comprises a flow meter connected between the first joint and the compressed gas source.

[0020] In one embodiment, the length of the purge tube is designed such that when the purge tube is fully inserted into the insertion path, the free end of the purge tube can at least reach the farthest heat exchange tube in the heat exchange tube array.

[0021] In one embodiment, the compressed gas source is a gas source pipeline with a gate valve, and the first connector is connected to the gas source pipeline via the gate valve.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first joint and the second joint are quick-release joints that allow for rapid installation and removal.

[0023] In one embodiment, the purge tube is made of stainless steel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The present disclosure will be more easily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals represent the same elements. The accompanying drawings are schematic and non-restrictive. The elements in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily represented to scale, for example, the elements may be enlarged for the purpose of illustration, or may be reduced in proportion to keep the drawings clear and easy to understand.

[0025] In the attached picture:

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a cleaning tool for a heat exchange tube array of a waste heat boiler according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0027] Figure 2 A detailed view of a purge tube of a cleaning tool according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0028] Figure 3 Shown along Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of the purge tube obtained at section AA.

[0029] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing operation of a cleaning tool according to the present disclosure to clean a heat exchange tube array of a waste heat boiler is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be presented in a variety of different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure of the present disclosure more complete and fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide more additional embodiments.

[0031] It should be understood that the same reference numerals represent the same elements throughout the drawings. In the drawings, the dimensions of certain features may be distorted for clarity.

[0032] It should be understood that the terms used in the specification are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. All terms (including technical terms and scientific terms) used in the specification have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art unless otherwise defined. For the sake of simplicity and / or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail.

[0033] The singular forms "a", "the" and "the" used in the specification include the plural forms unless clearly indicated. The terms "include", "comprise" and "contain" used in the specification indicate the presence of the claimed features, but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features. The term "and / or" used in the specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items. The terms "between X and Y" and "between approximately X and Y" used in the specification should be interpreted as including X and Y. The term "between approximately X and Y" used in this specification means "between approximately X and approximately Y", and the term "from approximately X to Y" used in this specification means "from approximately X to approximately Y".

[0034] In the specification, when an element is said to be "on", "attached", "connected", "coupled", or "contacting" another element, the element may be directly on, attached, connected, coupled, or contacting another element, or there may be an intermediate element. In contrast, when an element is said to be "directly" "on", "directly attached", "directly connected", "directly coupled", or "directly contacting" another element, there will be no intermediate element. In the specification, a feature is arranged "adjacent" to another feature, which may refer to a feature having a portion that overlaps with an adjacent feature or a portion that is located above or below an adjacent feature.

[0035] In the specification, spatial relational terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back", "higher", "lower", etc. may describe the relationship of one feature to another feature in the drawings. It should be understood that the spatial relational terms include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the drawings. For example, when the device in the drawings is turned over, features previously described as being "below" other features may now be described as being "above" the other features. The device may also be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the relative spatial relationships will be interpreted accordingly.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 , shows a schematic diagram of a cleaning tool 100 for a heat exchange tube array of a waste heat boiler according to the present disclosure. The cleaning tool 100 includes a first connector 10, a gas delivery hose 20, a second connector 30, a control valve 40 and a purge pipe 50.

[0037] The first and second connectors 10, 30 are used as connecting means to connect components of the cleaning tool 100 or to connect the cleaning tool 100 to an external component.

[0038] Specifically, the first connector 10 is used to connect the cleaning tool 100, in particular the gas hose 20 of the cleaning tool 100, to a compressed gas source that provides compressed gas. The gas source can be, for example, an air source that provides compressed air. In the embodiment, the first connector 10 is shown to connect the gas hose 20 to the gas source pipeline 200 of the public station, but it is understandable that the first connector 10 can also connect the gas hose 20 to other types of gas sources. The gas source pipeline 200 provides compressed gas to the gas hose 20, wherein the gas pressure of the compressed gas is preferably 6 to 7 bar. The first connector 10 can also be connected to the gas source pipeline 200 through a gate valve 210 to allow the gas flow from the gas source pipeline 200 to the first connector to be controlled by the gate valve 210.

[0039] The second connector 30 is used to connect the gas hose 20 to the control valve 40 of the cleaning tool 100. By using the first and second connectors 10, 30, the user of the cleaning tool 100 can easily install or remove the cleaning tool 100 to or from a gas source such as the gas source pipeline 200, and the user can simply disassemble the various components of the cleaning tool 100 for various operations, such as storing or maintaining the cleaning tool.

[0040] The first and second connectors 10, 30 may be quick-release connectors that allow for rapid installation and removal.

[0041] The gas hose 20 is used to deliver the compressed gas received from the gas source pipeline 200 to the purge tube 50, and is used to provide a certain flexibility in the use of the cleaning tool 100. The gas hose 20 is in the shape of an elongated tube and includes two opposite ends. One end of the gas hose 20 is connected to the first connector 10, and the other end is connected to the second connector 30. The gas hose 20 is made of a flexible material, such as rubber, so as to allow the user to flexibly move or orient the purge tube 50 relative to the generally fixed gas source.

[0042] The control valve 40 connects the second connector 30 and the purge pipe 50. The control valve 40 is used to allow the user to adjust the flow rate of the compressed gas flowing from the gas hose 20 to the purge pipe 50, for example, from zero flow rate to the maximum allowed flow rate. The control valve 40 can be, for example, a ball valve.

[0043] The purge tube 50 is used as the operating end of the cleaning tool 100, and is used to spray compressed gas to clean the heat exchange tube. The purge tube 50 is generally hollow and has a lumen. The purge tube 50 is made of a rigid material, such as stainless steel. Figure 2 , Figure 2 Detailed view of the purge tube 50 is shown, wherein only a portion of the purge tube 50 is shown for the purpose of simple illustration. Figure 2 As shown, the purge tube 50 has a connection end 52 configured to be mounted to the control valve 40 , and an opposing free end 54 .

[0044] The outer diameter of the purge tube 50 is configured to be inserted into the gap between two adjacent heat exchange fins on the heat exchange tube, as will be described below. The length of the purge tube 50 can be designed according to the horizontal depth of the heat exchange tube array to be cleaned, so that when the purge tube 50 is fully inserted between the heat exchange fins, the free end 54 can at least reach the farthest heat exchange tube in the heat exchange tube array.

[0045] The purge tube 50 is provided with a plurality of purge holes 56. Preferably, the purge tube 50 is provided with a plurality of purge holes 56 in a section close to the free end portion 54 thereof. Each purge hole 56 leads from the outer surface of the purge tube 50 to the lumen of the purge tube 50. The purge holes 56 serve as a gas outlet of the purge tube 50 for ejecting the compressed gas delivered into the purge tube 50 to the outside, thereby performing a cleaning operation.

[0046] A plurality of purge holes 56 are arranged to be distributed at certain intervals along the length of the purge tube 50. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of purge holes 56 are spaced at a constant distance of 50 mm along the length of the purge tube 50, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that the plurality of purge holes 56 may be spaced at other constant distances along the length of the purge tube 50 or may be spaced at non-constant distances.

[0047] A plurality of purge holes are also arranged to be distributed along the circumferential direction of the purge tube 50. Figure 2 and Figure 3 ,in Figure 3 Shown along Figure 2 The radial cross-sectional view of the purge tube 50 obtained from the AA section. Figure 3 As shown, the plurality of purge holes 56 are distributed at an angle of 90 degrees apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the purge tube 50. In other words, the plurality of purge holes 56 may include four purge holes 56 in a radial cross section of the purge tube 50 along the circumferential direction, wherein each purge hole 56 is spaced 90 degrees apart from each other in the circumferential direction. Nevertheless, it is understood that the plurality of purge holes 56 may include more than four purge holes 56 in a radial cross section of the purge tube 50 along the circumferential direction, such as six purge holes spaced 60 degrees apart from each other. Preferably, the plurality of purge holes 56 are arranged in the form of being spaced at the same angle from each other along the circumferential direction of the purge tube 50, so as to achieve uniform injection of compressed gas around the purge tube 50, but it is understood that the purge holes 56 arranged at different angles from each other along the circumferential direction of the purge tube 50 do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0048] The free end 54 of the purge tube 50 is closed by the closing portion 58 to ensure the pressure at the plurality of purge holes 56, thereby achieving the injection of compressed gas with a higher flow rate, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency of the cleaning tool 100. The closing portion 58 can be connected to the free end 54 by welding or the like, or the closing portion 58 can be formed integrally with the purge tube 50.

[0049] In such Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter of the purge tube 50 is 10 mm, the diameter of the lumen of the purge tube 50 is 9 mm, each purge hole 56 has a hole diameter of 3 mm, and the length of the section of the purge tube 50 provided with the purge holes 56 is 300 mm. However, it should be understood that the dimensions in this embodiment are merely exemplary and do not constitute a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0050] In addition, the purge pipe 50 may further include a gripping portion, not shown. The gripping portion is disposed adjacent to the connection end 52 of the purge pipe 50. The gripping portion is used to facilitate the operator to hold the purge pipe. The gripping portion may be in the form of a handle or other forms that are convenient for holding. The gripping portion may be connected to the purge pipe 50 by welding or the like, or the gripping portion may be formed integrally with the purge pipe 50.

[0051] Return to reference Figure 1The cleaning tool 100 may further include a pressure gauge 60 or a flow meter 70. The pressure gauge 60 is connected between the second connector 30 and the control valve 40. The pressure gauge 60 is used to indicate the pressure of the compressed gas currently flowing through the gas hose, so that the operator can monitor whether the compressed gas in the cleaning tool 100 reaches the required gas pressure.

[0052] The cleaning tool 100 may further include a flow meter 70. The flow meter 70 is connected between the first connector 10 and the compressed gas source. For example, the flow meter 70 is connected between the first connector 10 and the gate valve 210 of the gas source pipeline 200. The flow meter 70 is used to indicate the flow rate of the compressed gas currently flowing through the gas hose, so that the operator can monitor whether the compressed gas in the cleaning tool 100 reaches the required gas flow rate.

[0053] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of operating the cleaning tool 100 according to the present disclosure to clean a heat exchange tube array 300 is shown. The heat exchange tube array 300 includes a plurality of heat exchange tubes 320 extending in a vertical direction. Each heat exchange tube 320 is provided with a plurality of heat exchange fins 340 spaced equidistantly along its length direction, wherein each heat exchange fin 340 is arranged around a corresponding heat exchange tube 320. The heat exchange fins 340 on each heat exchange tube 320 are each approximately at a corresponding height in the vertical direction, whereby the heat exchange fins 340 form a plurality of horizontally extending insertion paths 360 between them. Figure 4 The black spots on the middle heat exchange fins 340 schematically represent dirt accumulated on the heat exchange fins 340 .

[0054] Before operating the cleaning tool 100 to clean the heat exchange tube array 300, first assemble the various components of the cleaning tool 100 and connect the cleaning tool 100 to the compressed gas source. Specifically, assemble the purge pipe 50 and the control valve 40, then connect the assembled components to one end of the gas hose 20 via the second connector 30, and finally connect the other end of the gas hose 20 to the gate valve 210 of the gas source pipeline 200 which is in a closed state via the first connector 10.

[0055] After the cleaning tool 100 has been assembled and connected to the compressed gas source, the operator can slowly open the gate valve 210 until it reaches its maximum opening. In this process, the operator needs to hold the purge tube 50 of the cleaning tool 100 (for example, the grip of the purge tube 50 can be held tightly) to prevent the purge tube 50 from swinging due to the rapid increase in gas pressure in the cleaning tool 100 and causing damage to surrounding personnel and equipment.

[0056] After the gate valve 210 is opened and the gas pressure in the cleaning tool 100 is stabilized again, the operator can open the control valve of the cleaning tool 100 and operate the purge tube 50 to insert into one of the multiple insertion paths 360 formed between the heat exchange fins 340 of the heat exchange tube 320. Then the purge tube 50 is repeatedly pushed and pulled in the insertion path 360. Since the length of the purge tube 50 is designed so that its free end 54 can at least reach the farthest heat exchange tube in the heat exchange tube array 300, by repeatedly pushing and pulling the purge tube 50, the dirt within the entire length of the insertion path 360 can be blown off by the compressed gas ejected from the purge hole 56, thereby achieving the purpose of cleaning. After confirming that the insertion path 360 has been cleaned, the purge tube 50 is pulled out and inserted into another insertion path 360 and the previous operation is performed again until all the insertion paths 360 are cleaned.

[0057] The cleaning tool 100 according to the present disclosure allows a new way of cleaning the heat exchange tubes of a waste heat boiler to be realized, which avoids various disadvantages of using sand blasting to clean the heat exchange tubes in conventional technical means.

Claims

1. A cleaning tool for a heat exchange tube array of a waste heat boiler, the heat exchange tube array (300) comprising a plurality of heat exchange tubes (320), each heat exchange tube (320) being provided with a plurality of heat exchange fins (340), the heat exchange fins (340) of each heat exchange tube (320) forming a plurality of insertion paths (360), characterized in that: The cleaning tool (100) comprises: A flexible gas delivery hose (20), the gas delivery hose (20) having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end being connected to a compressed gas source via a first connector (10) for inputting compressed gas; a control valve (40), the control valve (40) being connected to the second end of the gas delivery hose (20) via a second connector (30), the control valve being configured to control the flow of the compressed gas from the gas delivery hose (20); and A rigid purge tube (50) having a connecting end (52) and an opposite free end (54), the purge tube (50) being insertable into at least one of the insertion paths (360), the connecting end (52) being connected to the control valve (40), the purge tube (50) being provided with a plurality of purge holes (56) for spraying the compressed gas, the plurality of purge holes (56) being distributed along both the length direction and the circumferential direction of the purge tube (50).

2. The cleaning tool for the heat exchange tube array of the waste heat boiler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The purge pipe (50) is provided with the plurality of purge holes (56) at a section thereof close to the free end (54).

3. The cleaning tool for the heat exchange tube array of the waste heat boiler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of heat exchange tubes (320) extend vertically, respectively, and each insertion path (360) extends horizontally and is defined by corresponding two adjacent heat exchange fins (340) of each heat exchange tube (320).

4. The cleaning tool for the heat exchange tube array of the waste heat boiler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of purge holes (56) are distributed along the circumferential direction of the purge pipe (50) at an angle of 90 degrees from each other.

5. The cleaning tool for the heat exchange tube array of the waste heat boiler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of purge holes (56) are distributed at constant intervals along the length direction of the purge pipe (50).

6. The cleaning tool for a heat exchange tube array of a waste heat boiler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The free end (54) of the purge pipe (50) is closed by a closing portion (58).

7. The cleaning tool for a heat exchange tube array of a waste heat boiler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The purge tube (50) further comprises a gripping portion disposed adjacent to the connecting end (52).

8. The cleaning tool for a heat exchange tube array of a waste heat boiler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The cleaning tool (100) further comprises a pressure gauge (60), wherein the pressure gauge (60) is connected between the second connector (30) and the control valve (40).

9. The cleaning tool for a heat exchange tube array of a waste heat boiler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The cleaning tool (100) further comprises a flow meter (70), wherein the flow meter (70) is connected between the first joint (10) and the compressed gas source.

10. The cleaning tool for a heat exchange tube array of a waste heat boiler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The length of the purge tube (50) is designed so that when the purge tube (50) is fully inserted into the insertion path (360), the free end (54) of the purge tube (50) can at least reach the farthest heat exchange tube in the heat exchange tube array (300).

11. The cleaning tool for a heat exchange tube array of a waste heat boiler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The compressed gas source is a gas source pipeline (200) with a gate valve (210), and the first connector (10) is connected to the gas source pipeline (200) via the gate valve (210).

12. The cleaning tool for a heat exchange tube array of a waste heat boiler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first joint (10) and the second joint (30) are quick-release joints that allow for rapid installation and removal.

13. The cleaning tool for a heat exchange tube array of a waste heat boiler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The purge pipe (50) is made of stainless steel.

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