Objective
Improvement to the efficiency of the heat exchangers by a permanent self cleaning of pipes. The main application is the preheating equipment of atmospheric distillers ; however the process can be applied into other sectors namely condensers of turbines in thermal power station.
A fuel saving in the furnace, equivalent to 1,267t of standard (TCS) fuel was achieved, and while output was maintained costs were reduced with fewer stoppages for cleaning. An improved performance was also recorded both for compressors and turbines. The exchanger tubes were also less susceptible to clogging.
Over a full year the energy saving amounted to 1,833 TCS/y in comparison with 1,860 TCS/y (estimated). However, saving in the cost of maintenance is not sufficient to justify investment in the "SPIRELF" process, since a return would only be seen after two-to-four cleanings. The system nevertheless remains attractive and can be applied to any type of exchanger prone to clogging.
In each pipe of the exchanger, an extended, loose spring has been introduced ; it is attached to metal bars at each end of the pipe. Under the effect of the current, springs vibrate axially and radially making scalling and fouling nearly impossible.
This process applies to fluids up to 350 deg. C in liquid or semi-vaporised phase and for flow rates between 0,7 and 3 M/s.
The spirelf device acts on two points:
it reduces scaling
it improves the turbulence in the pipe.
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
64018 Pau
France