Rigid Lance Cleaning System with Dynamic Reel and Pitch Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-lance cleaning systems for heat exchanger tube bundles are cumbersome and difficult to maneuver due to their large size, requiring precise alignment and being unsuitable for heat exchangers with varying tube sizes and spacings.
Innovation Solution
A rigid lance cleaning system with movable and extendable tubular lances, flexible hoses, and a hose reel for fluid delivery, supported by a frame with a drive system and pitch adjuster, allowing for precise alignment and operation without external power assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple rigid lances are used to clean multiple tubes simultaneously, then cleaning productivity is improved, but the system size increases and becomes difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into multiple independent rigid lances that can be selectively extended and retracted. Each lance can be independently controlled to clean specific tubes, allowing the system to maintain high productivity while reducing the overall size when not all lances are in use simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The lances are designed to be dynamically extendable and retractable rather than permanently fixed in extended positions. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its size and shape for maneuvering through different heat exchanger configurations while maintaining the capability for simultaneous multi-tube cleaning when needed.
2Productivity
If the cleaning system is made large to accommodate multiple lances, then cleaning productivity is improved, but alignment precision becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the alignment function into individual lance units, each with its own alignment capabilities. This allows precise alignment to be maintained for each lance independently rather than requiring complex alignment of a large integrated structure, thereby maintaining both productivity and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Each lance is equipped with local alignment features and positioning mechanisms tailored to its specific cleaning task. This localized approach to alignment precision allows each lance to accurately target its assigned tubes without requiring the entire system to maintain complex global alignment, thus preserving precision while enabling multi-lance productivity.
3Device complexity
If fixed spacing between lances is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different heat exchanger configurations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The lance spacing and positioning are made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The system can reconfigure the number of active lances, their spacing, and their positions to match different heat exchanger tube bundle configurations. This dynamic adaptability allows a single system design to serve multiple applications without requiring complex customizations for each configuration.
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
Enables efficient and precise cleaning of heat exchanger tube bundles with reduced operator effort, accommodating different heat exchanger designs through adjustable spacing and flexible hose management.
Implementation Method 1
Flexible hoses are connected to respective rigid tubular lances for delivering the cleaning fluid thereto
Implementation Method 2
delivering high pressure cleaning fluid through the smaller tube to mechanically remove the deposits
Data Source
AI summary
A rigid lance cleaning system includes rigid tubular lances that are movable between retracted and extended positions for delivering a cleaning fluid. Flexible hoses are connected to respective rigid tubular lances for delivering the cleaning fluid. A hose reel is configured to dispense the flexible hose when the rigid tubular lances extend and collect the flexible hoses when the rigid tubular lances retract. A frame movably supports the rigid tubular lances and a drive system is configured to selectively extend and retract the rigid tubular lenses.