Device, system and method for on-line explosive deslagging

#This disclosure relates generally to the field of boiler/furnace deslagging, and particularly, discloses a device, system and method allowing on-line, explosives-based deslagging.

#A variety of devices and methods are used to clean slag and similar deposits from boilers, furnaces, and similar heat exchange devices. Some of these rely on chemicals or fluids that interact with and erode deposits. Water cannons, steam cleaners, pressurized air, and similar approaches are also used. Some approaches also make use of temperature variations. And, of course, various types of explosive, creating strong shock waves to blast slag deposits off of the boiler, are also very commonly used for deslagging.

#The use of explosive devices for deslagging is a particularly effective method, as the large shock wave from an explosion, appropriately positioned and timed, can easily and quickly separate large quantities of slag from the boiler surfaces. But the process is costly, since the boiler must be shut down (i.e. brought off line) in order to perform this type of cleaning, and valuable production time is thereby lost. This lost time is not only the time during which the cleaning process is being performed. Also lost are several hours prior to cleaning when the boiler must be taken off line to cool down, and several hours subsequent to cleaning for the boiler to be restarted and brought into full operational capacity.

#The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth in the appended claims. The invention, however, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing(s) in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates in plan view, a preferred embodiment of a device, system and method used to perform on-line explosive cleaning of a fuel-burning facility, using a liquid or gaseous coolant.

#FIG. 2 illustrates in plan view, the device, system and method of FIG. 1 in its disassembled (preassembly) state, and is used to illustrate the method by which this device, system and method is assembled for use.

#FIG. 1 depicts a preferred embodiment of a basic tool used for on-line cleaning of a fuel-burning facility such as a boiler, furnace, or similar heat exchange device, or an incineration device, and the discussion following outlines the associated method for such on-line cleaning.

#The cleaning of the fuel burning and/or incineration facility is carried out in the usual manner by means of an explosive device 101, such as but not limited to an explosive stick or other explosive device or configuration, placed appropriately inside the facility, and then detonated such that the shock waves from the explosion cause slag and similar deposits to dislodge from the walls, tubing, etc. of the facility. This explosive device 101 is detonated by a standard explosive detonator cap 102 or similar detonating device, which causes controlled detonation at the desired instant, based on a signal sent from a standard initiator 103, by a qualified operator.

#However, to enable explosives-based cleaning to be performed on-line, i.e., without any need to power down or cool down the facility, two prior art problems must be overcome. First, since explosives are heat-sensitive, the placement of an explosive into a hot furnace can cause premature, uncontrolled detonation, creating danger to both the facility and personnel around the explosion. Hence, it is necessary to find a way of cooling the explosive device 101 while it is being placed in the online facility and readied for detonation. Second, it is not possible for a person to physically enter the furnace or boiler to place the explosive, due the immense heat of the on-line facility. Hence, it is necessary to devise a means of placing the explosive that can be managed and controlled from outside the burner or furnace.