Device, system and method for on-line explosive deslagging
OwnerFrank Zilka, Tim Zilka +2inventors
InventorsFrank Zilka, Tim Zilka, Kurt Prouty, Don Howard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device, system and method permitting on-line explosives-based cleaning and deslagging of a fuel burning facility such as a boiler, furnace, incinerator, or scrubber. A coolant, such as ordinary water, is delivered to the explosives to prevent them from detonating due to the heat of the on-line facility. Thus, controlled, appropriately-timed detonation can be initiated as desired, and boiler scale and slag is removed without the need to shut down or cool down the facility.
Claims22
An explosives-based system for deslagging a hot, online heat-exchange device, comprising:
- an explosive device;
- a cooling envelope enveloping said explosive device;
- coolant-delivery means delivering a flow of coolant into said cooling envelope such that said explosive device is thereby surrounded and cooled by said coolant;
- explosive positioning means enabling at least one person holding and moving a first of two ends of said explosive positioning means, to move the cooled explosive affixed proximate a second of said two ends of said explosive positioning means into and within said hot, online heat exchange device into a proper position for deslagqing the heat exchange device by detonation of said explosive device, while said coolant is so-delivered into the envelope and thereby prevents the heat of said heat exchange device from detonating said explosive, and while said at least one person remains outside said hot, online heat exchange device;
- and
- detonating means for detonating said explosive device at will.
A method for deslagging a hot, online heat-exchange device, comprising the steps of:
- delivering a flow of coolant into a cooling envelope enveloping an explosive device, via coolant-delivery means, such that said explosive device is thereby surrounded and cooled by said coolant;
- holding and moving a first of two ends of an explosive positioning means, and thereby moving the cooled explosive affixed proximate a second of said two ends of said explosive positioning means into and within said hot, online heat exchange device into a proper position for deslagging the heat exchange device by detonation of said explosive device, while so-delivering said coolant into the envelope and thereby preventing the heat of said heat exchange device from detonating said explosive, and while remaining outside said hot, online heat exchange device;
- and
- detonating said explosive device at will, once said cooled explosive has been moved into said proper position for deslagging detonation.
A method for assembling an explosives-based system for deslagging a hot, online heat-exchange device, comprising the steps of:
- affixing a cap to an explosive device;
- establishing a signal connection between an initiator and said cap;
- affixing a coolant delivery pipe and said explosive in predetermined position relative to one another, via an explosive connector;
- affixing a cooling envelope to a first end of two ends of the pipe such that it envelopes the explosive;
- and
- affixing a hydraulic tube to a second end of said two ends of the pipe.
An explosives-based system for deslagging a hot, online heat-exchange device, comprising:
- an explosive device, a cooling envelope, a coolant delivery pipe, an explosive connector means, and a hydraulic tube, each of which is a separate module of said system prior to assembly of these modules into said system, wherein subsequent to said assembly, the resulting configuration is such that:
- a cap is affixed to the explosive;
- a signal connection is established between an initiator and said cap;
- the pipe and the explosive are affixed in predetermined position relative to one another, via said explosive connector means;
- the envelope is affixed to a first of two ends of the pipe such that it envelopes the explosive;
- and
- the hydraulic tube is affixed to a second of said two ends of the pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.