Flow assisted anti-fouling geometries for compact heat exchangers

A header, comprising:

• the header in flow communication with a heat exchanger for distributing fluid through a plurality of adjacent channels, the header connected between at least one heat exchanger inlet nozzle and a channel flow distributor;
• a filter screen disposed within the header to collect fouling material, the filter screen having a total surface area through which the fluid flows;
• at least one clean-out port in the header between the inlet nozzle and the filter screen to which flow laden with fouling material during the cleaning process is discharged from the header;
• a first cavity provided between the filter screen and the channel flow distributer of the heat exchanger;
• and
• at least one inlet port provided in the first cavity to introduce cleaning fluid, the at least one inlet port in fluid communication with the total surface area of the filter at any one time;
• wherein the cleaning fluid is introduced into the first cavity through the cleaning fluid inlet port, flows through the total surface area of the filter screen to dislodge fouling material collected on the filter screen, and is discharged from the at least one clean-out port.