Cleaning device for a convection section of a thermal power plant

Thermal power plant, comprising:

• a convection section, having a multiplicity of cleaning devices each cleaning device including:
• a holder,
• a lance with a fluid distribution device,
• a drive unit for a translational movement of the lance in the holder, and
• a fluid conducting system including a feed, a return, and flow paths extending from the feed to the return and to the fluid distribution device,
• wherein provision is made for at least one actuating means for the requirement-based connection of the feed to the return or to the fluid distribution device;
• and
• wherein a fluid supply system and a control unit are provided for the sequential operation of the cleaning devices.

Method for cleaning spaced-apart heat exchanger tubes, having heating surfaces of a convection section of a thermal power plant with a cleaning device the method comprising:

• providing the cleaning device, the cleaning device having a holder, a lance with a fluid distribution device, a drive unit for a translational movement of the lance in the holder, and a fluid conducting system including a feed, a return, and flow paths extending from the feed to the return and to the fluid distribution device,
• connecting the cleaning device to a fluid supply system;
• and
• delivering fluid from the fluid supply system to the heat exchanger tubes having the heating surfaces;
• wherein an intermittent delivery of the fluid between the spaced-apart heat exchanger tubes is carried out.