Pulse Detonation Cleaning System for Boiler Soot Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for cleaning boiler surfaces, such as heat recovery steam generators (HRSG), from soot and residues emitted during fossil fuel combustion are inefficient, as they leave behind pollutants and soot deposits due to inadequate cleaning mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A pulse detonation cleaning system comprising a common tube fluidly coupled to a boiler, with arrays of elongate detonation tubes and detonators arranged around a common axis, where actuation of detonators leads to combustion in the detonation tubes, generating a combined pressure wave for effective cleaning by focusing the pressure wave onto the boiler surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single detonation tube is used to clean boiler surfaces, then the device complexity is low, but the cleaning effectiveness is insufficient and soot residues remain
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into multiple detonation tubes (at least three) arranged in an array, each contributing to the overall cleaning effect. This segmentation allows the system to achieve superior cleaning effectiveness compared to a single tube while distributing the functional load across multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple detonation tubes are combined within a single boiler, with their pressure waves merging to create a cumulative cleaning effect. The coordinated operation of multiple tubes produces a combined pressure wave that is more effective than individual tubes operating separately.
2Productivity
If multiple detonation tubes are used to improve cleaning effectiveness, then the cleaning efficiency increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each detonation tube serves multiple functions: generating pressure waves, contributing to cumulative cleaning effect, and operating in coordination with other tubes. This multi-functionality maximizes the productivity contribution of each component while managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detonation tubes operate in a coordinated periodic manner, with pressure waves generated at timed intervals to achieve optimal cleaning effect. This periodic operation pattern enhances cleaning efficiency by maintaining continuous pressure wave action on soot deposits.
3Reliability
If detonation tubes are positioned far from boiler surfaces, then the system is easier to install, but the pressure wave effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The detonation tubes are positioned at specific locations within the boiler where they can deliver pressure waves directly to soot-prone areas. This localized positioning optimizes the effectiveness of pressure wave delivery to critical surfaces while maintaining reasonable installation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a three-dimensional array arrangement of detonation tubes within the boiler volume, allowing pressure waves to reach surfaces from multiple spatial dimensions. This dimensional approach enhances cleaning effectiveness without requiring tubes to be positioned extremely close to all surfaces.
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 system effectively removes soot and residues from boiler surfaces by utilizing the combined pressure wave from multiple detonation tubes, enhancing cleaning efficiency and surface cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
actuation of each of the plurality of the detonators leads to combustion in the corresponding one of the plurality of the detonation tubes
Implementation Method 2
combustion in the detonation tubes, generating a combined pressure wave for effective cleaning
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
A pulse detonation cleaning system (10) is provided and includes a common tube (11), which is fluidly coupled to a vessel, a first array (12), including a plurality of elongate detonation tubes (20) arrayed about a common axis (38), each of the plurality of the detonation tubes (20) being disposed upstream from and fluidly coupled to an interior of the common tube (11) and a second array (13), including a plurality of detonators (30) arrayed about the common axis (38), each of the plurality of the detonators (30) being disposed upstream from and operably coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of the detonation tubes (20) such that actuation of each of the plurality of the detonators (30) leads to combustion in the corresponding one of the plurality of the detonation tubes (20).