Tuesday, May 13, 2014

A criterion for the selection of projectiles for cleaning tubular heat exchangers

CATEGORY: HEAT EXCHANGERS
Proceedings of International Conference on Heat Exchanger Fouling and Cleaning, June 9-14, 2013, Budapest, Hungary
A criterion for the selection of projectiles for cleaning tubular heat exchangers

M. R. Jalalirad (1) and M. R. Malayeri (1), (2)
m.malayeri@itw.uni-stuttgart.de
1 Institute of Thermodynamics and Thermal Engineering (ITW), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
2 Dept. of Chemical, Petroleum and Gas Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
Various types of projectiles are available in the market with different shape, size, texture, stiffness and material for online cleaning of tubular heat exchangers. Perhaps the largest group is the one with a spherical shape. There exists, however, no publication in the open literature to recommend the optimum physical properties in terms of size and stiffness that would influence the cleaning action best.
This study proposes a mechanistic criterion to define how to select an efficient projectile based on contact area and exerted shear force that a projectile
 would have when it is propelled through a tube. The criterion is examined for a number of spherical projectiles of various sizes and stiffness to appraise its reliability and functionality. To do so, the stiffness of projectiles is firstly measured and secondly numerous fouling experiments are carried out in which CaSO4 is used as foulant, and a plain tube as the heat transfer surface. The resultant criterion shows the domain of projectile sizes that would best clean the surface for a specified stiffness, and vice versa.
Free Full Text Source: http://www.heatexchanger-fouling.com/papers/papers2013/48_Jalalirad_F.pdf

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