Heat Exchanger Impact Block for Rapper Cleaning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat exchange devices in gasification processes face challenges in effectively cleaning deposit-forming gases while maintaining resistance against impact loads from rapper devices, which can cause damage and leakage.

Innovation Solution

A heat exchange device with integrated impact blocks having inner channels that bridge interrupted tubular lines, allowing for efficient transfer of impact energy and mechanical waves, enhancing cleaning effectiveness and durability while maintaining coolant flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the heat exchange surface is cleaned using rapper devices, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the heat exchange surface is damaged due to high peak loads from impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidresistance against impact loads
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The impact block serves as an intermediary element between the rapper device and the heat exchange surface. It absorbs and distributes the impact loads from the rapper, preventing direct high peak loads on the tubular lines while still enabling effective cleaning through mechanical waves and vibrations transmitted through the block to the heat exchange surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The impact block is strategically positioned at specific locations on the heat exchange surface where cleaning is most needed. By concentrating the impact energy at these localized areas, the design achieves effective cleaning at critical spots without subjecting the entire heat exchange surface to damaging high peak loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the impact block is made very rigid and stiff to improve impact transfer, then cleaning effect is improved, but the risk of damage and leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectVSAvoidrisk of damage and leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The impact block incorporates damping elements or materials with specific mechanical properties that allow it to be sufficiently rigid to transmit cleaning vibrations effectively, while also having energy-dissipating characteristics to reduce peak impact loads. This parameter optimization balances cleaning effectiveness with damage prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The impact block is designed with inherent shock-absorbing characteristics that cushion the impact before it reaches the heat exchange surface. This beforehand cushioning reduces the peak loads transmitted to the tubes while still maintaining sufficient vibration energy for effective cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Power

If tubular lines are interrupted at the impact area to allow impact block integration, then impact energy transfer is improved, but coolant flow paths are obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact energy transferVSAvoidcoolant flow
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The impact block is divided into multiple sections with individual channels for each interrupted tubular line. This segmentation allows each coolant flow path to be maintained separately through the impact block, preventing obstructions while enabling effective impact energy transfer to each tubular line segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The impact block channels are designed to route coolant flow in alternative paths through the block structure, effectively moving the flow to another dimension or plane. This allows the coolant to bypass the impact area while still cooling the heat exchange surface, maintaining flow quantity without obstructing the cooling function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides improved resistance to impact loads, effective cleaning, and increased lifetime of the heat exchange surface by translating impact energy into mechanical waves, ensuring efficient cooling and reduced risk of damage.

Implementation Method 1

the impact block translates the impact energy caused by a rapper device very effectively into mechanical waves through the heating surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

The inner channels can be made with the same diameter as the flow paths in the tubular lines so that the flow paths are continued via the inner channels in the impact block without substantial obstructions. This design allows for effective cooling of the impact block by allowing coolant to flow unimpeded through the impact block.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid Flow:

Data Source

PatentEP2452146B1Heat exchanger
Publication Date: 2013.04.24 SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ BV
  • EP2452146B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3B
  • EP2452146B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B
  • EP2452146B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

A heat exchange device comprising at least one heat exchange surface (2), wherein the heat exchange surface comprises one or more parallel tubular lines (3), a rapper device and an impact area for the rapper device. The impact area comprises an impact block (6) with one or more inner channels (7) through which coolant flows bridging opposite open ends (5) of an interrupted tubular line of the heat exchange surface. The impact block (6) enforces the impact area of the heat exchange surface and translates impact energy caused by a rapper device very effectively into mechanical waves through the heating surface, resulting in an improved cleaning effect.