Deep cleaning alignment equipment
AssigneePrecision Iceblast Corporation
InventorsKeith R. Boye, Matthew Peterson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for cleaning a heat recovery steam generator system including tubes and fins associated therewith using deep cleaning alignment equipment are described. The deep cleaning alignment equipment primarily includes at least one wedge and at least one wand. The wedge may be an elongate wedge configured to maximize the surface area that contacts the tubes and fins, which in turn minimizes the amount of stress about any specific point of the tubes or the fins. Additionally, the wedge may be made of a variety of different materials. The wedge may include multiple pieces that can be releasably secured together. The wedge may also have at least one opening formed therein to assist in removal of the wedge from the system.
Claims20
A deep cleaning alignment equipment used to clean a heat recovery steam generator system including a plurality of metallic tubes, wherein each of the plurality of tubes includes a base with a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the base, the deep cleaning alignment equipment comprising:
- an elongate wedge with a width, a length, and a height, and a plurality of openings extending through the width, wherein the elongate wedge is configured to contact and spread the plurality of tubes and the plurality of fins to form a channel therebetween;
- a wand configured to spray one of a liquid or a gas about the heat recovery steam generator system;
- and
- a removal bracket;
- wherein the elongate wedge contacts the plurality of tubes and the plurality of fins about an extended surface area;
- wherein the elongate wedge is made of one of a composite material and a metallic material;
- wherein the wand is removably insertable into the channel;
- and
- wherein the plurality of openings are configured to receive the removal bracket.
A deep cleaning alignment equipment used to clean a heat recovery steam generator system including a plurality of metallic tubes, wherein each of the plurality of tubes includes a base with a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the base, the deep cleaning alignment equipment comprising:
- an elongate wedge with at least one opening extending therethrough, wherein the elongate wedge is configured to contact and spread the plurality of tubes and fins to form a channel therebetween;
- a wand configured to spray one of a liquid or a gas about the heat recovery steam generator system;
- and
- a removal bracket;
- wherein the elongate wedge contacts the plurality of tubes and the plurality of fins about an extended surface area;
- and
- wherein the wand is removably insertable into the channel;
- and
- wherein the at least one opening is configured to receive the removal bracket.
A method of using a deep cleaning alignment equipment to clean a heat recovery steam generator system including a plurality of metallic tubes, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a wedge having a width, a length, and a height, between the plurality of tubes to spread the plurality of tubes to form a channel therebetween;
- inserting a wand into the channel;
- spraying a liquid or a gas through the wand to clean the plurality of tubes;
- and
- inserting a bracket into at least one opening extending through the wedge;
- manipulating the bracket away from the plurality of metallic tubes to remove the wedge from the plurality of tubes;
- wherein the elongate wedge contacts the plurality of tubes about an extended surface area;
- and
- wherein the composite is a softer material than the metallic material of the plurality of tubes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.