Method and apparatus for cleaning tower basins
OwnerJavier Aleman, Kevin B. McBurneyinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for cleaning cooling tower basins. The apparatus includes a reservoir and large pipe extending from the tower basin to a lower level to act as a siphon. A water supply can fill the large pipe, and a valve can be opened to start the siphon. A cleaning tool remains below the water level in the basin to maintain the siphon while the basin is cleaned. The makeup water valve maintains the desired water level in the basin, so the tower can remain in operation during cleaning. The material removed from the basin is strained and the waste water is disposed of through conventional sewerage.
Claims12
A cooling tower basin cleaning apparatus for cleaning debris-containing sludge from below the water in a tower basin comprising a cleaning tool having a nozzle thereon, a hose connected to said cleaning tool for receiving said sludge from said cleaning tool, and siphon means for creating continuous suction on said cleaning tool and for carrying said sludge from said tower basin, said siphon means including a reservoir disposed above the level of said water in said basin, and pipe means extending from said reservoir to a lower level below the level of said water in said basin, said hose being connected to and in communication with said reservoir, a first valve for selectively closing said pipe means at said lower level, water supply means for filling said pipe means and said reservoir with water while said first valve is closed, the arrangement being such that said pipe means can be filled with water with said first valve closed, and said first valve can be opened to establish a siphon action to provide suction on said cleaning tool.
A method for cleaning the basin of a cooling tower having debris-containing sludge on the bottom of said basin, while cooling water is flowing into and out of said basin, said method including the steps of:
- placing a cleaning tool in said tower basin with the end of said cleaning tool beneath the level of the water in said basin;
- establishing a siphon to provide continuous suction on said cleaning tool, wherein said step of establishing a siphon includes the steps of filling with water to a point above the level of said water in said basin a reservoir disposed above the level of said water in said basin and a pipe means extending from said reservoir to a lower level below the level of said water in said basin, connecting said cleaning tool to a hose connected to said reservoir at a high level above said level of water in said basin, and allowing the water to flow by gravity from said pipe means from a low level below said basin;
- moving said cleaning tool about said basin for utilizing said siphon to pick up and to remove said sludge from said tower basin by sucking in said sludge and some water from said basin without causing a substantial disturbance of said water;
- and continually replenishing the water in the basin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.