Abstract:
A cleaning system for a solar panel is provided. The cleaning system comprises: i) a frame moveable in a transverse direction over the solar panel, the frame having edges oriented in the transverse direction; a brush assembly positioned within the frame and moveable in a longitudinal direction including a plurality brush holders arranged within the frame, with each brush holder being adapted to interchangeably receive a brush for cleaning the solar panel; and a liquid spray arrangement including nozzles arranged one or more rows for spraying at least one of water and a water detergent mix onto the solar panel. The liquid spray arrangement includes nozzles positioned near at least one of the transverse edges of the frame for spraying the water detergent mix onto a longitudinal end of the brush assembly.
Abstract:
An apparatus, operable with a source of cleaning fluid under pressure, for cleaning external surfaces of heat exchange tubes of an air cooled heat exchanger which tubes are situated in generally horizontal rows vertically separated from each other, thus defining a generally horizontal zone between each two adjacent rows, including a. a spray mat having: i. top and bottom fluid impermeable sheets sealed at their mutual peripheral edges defining at least one chamber with a fluid inlet into said chamber for receiving a flow of the cleaning fluid under pressure, and ii. a plurality of laterally spaced apertures and coupled spray nozzles in the top and bottom sheets which are in fluid communication with the chamber, and b. a positioning mechanism for moving the spray mat transversely into and out of one of the zones between two adjacent rows of the heat exchange tubes.
Abstract:
A frame-mounted mobile cleaning system permanently positionable above or below the tube bundles of an air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE) and in fluid communication with an external source of pressurized cleaning fluid includes a mobile transverse spray head assembly formed from a plurality of separate interchangeable fluid compartments, each fluid compartment having an inlet for receiving the pressurized cleaning fluid and a fluid discharge wall having at least one nozzle aligned with the longitudinal axes of the finned heat exchange tubes below or above, or elongated slot nozzles that are transverse to the axes of the finned tubes and that are configured to discharge a predetermined pattern of pressurized cleaning fluid onto and between the surfaces of the fins of the heat exchange tubes as the assembly is moved from one end of the ACHE tube bundles to the other.
Abstract:
An apparatus for the maintenance and operation of an air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE) includes a plurality of spray tubes provided with spaced-apart nozzles permanently positioned between the finned heat exchange tubes and longitudinally aligned within the region of the finned-tube pitch. The apparatus is operable in several modes, including cleaning where the flow of air is stopped and temperature-controlled pressurized water with an optional cleaning agent is discharged from the nozzles to dislodge dirt and debris from the finned surfaces while simultaneously cooling the hot process liquid. When extremes of ambient air temperatures preclude the forced air fans from achieving the target temperature range of the process liquid passing through the ACHE, refrigerated pressurized cooled water and compressed air in the form of a mist is discharged from the nozzles, or alternatively, pressurized heated air is discharged from the nozzles.
Abstract:
A cleaning system for a solar panel is provided. The cleaning system comprises: i) a frame moveable in a transverse direction over the solar panel, the frame having edges oriented in the transverse direction; a brush assembly positioned within the frame and moveable in a longitudinal direction including a plurality brush holders arranged within the frame, with each brush holder being adapted to interchangeably receive a brush for cleaning the solar panel; and a liquid spray arrangement including nozzles arranged one or more rows for spraying at least one of water and a water detergent mix onto the solar panel. The liquid spray arrangement includes nozzles positioned near at least one of the transverse edges of the frame for spraying the water detergent mix onto a longitudinal end of the brush assembly.
Abstract:
A plug assembly is used to block flow through a heat exchanger tube. The plug assembly includes a frusto-conical plug body, a frangible attachment on an end of the plug body, and a ring assembly circumscribing the plug body. When positioned around a larger diameter portion of the plug body, the ring assembly is urged radially outward to seal against and block flow through the tube. An installation device draws the plug body within the ring assembly to set the plug assembly in the tube. The installation device is manually operated, and positions the ring assembly over the larger diameter portion of the plug body by exerting an axial force onto the frangible attachment while simultaneously holding the ring assembly in place. The ring assembly is held in place with a second axial force directed opposite to that of the one applied to the frangible attachment.
Abstract:
A tool to manage flanges during installation and dismantling of flanges includes a first ring support structure and a second ring support structure spaced apart along a tool axis. First and second mechanical arms are retained on the first and second ring support structures. Each of the mechanical arms has an extendible arm joint that is operable to adjust an axial distance between the first and second ring support structures. A guide shaft is coupled to the first and second ring support structures. The guide shaft is positioned to guide a relative movement between the first and second ring support structures during operation of the extendible arm joints of the first and second mechanical arms.
Abstract:
A system for the maintenance and operation of an air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE) includes a plurality of spray tubes provided with spaced-apart nozzles permanently positioned between the finned heat exchange tubes and longitudinally aligned within the region of the finned-tube pitch. The system is operable in several modes, including cleaning where the flow of air is stopped and temperature-controlled pressurized water with an optional cleaning agent is discharged from the nozzles to dislodge dirt and debris from the finned surfaces while simultaneously cooling the hot process liquid. When extremes of ambient air temperatures preclude the forced air fans from achieving the target temperature range of the process liquid passing through the ACHE, refrigerated pressurized cooled water and compressed air in the form of a mist is discharged from the nozzles, or alternatively, pressurized heated air is discharged from the nozzles.
Abstract:
A containment system and method for creating a confined space around a portion of a piping circuit, and for maintaining the confined space at a designated pressure with a pressurized blanketing gas. The confined spaced with its controlled environment protects against process upsets or icing when insulation is removed from sections in extreme temperature services. The containment system includes a shroud assembly that is made up of a cover configured into a tubular shape, and end plates on axial ends of the cover that mount onto the piping. Support rings are set within the cover that also mount to the pipe, and which provide radial support for the cover along the span between the end plates. Ports are formed through a sidewall of the cover that provide operations personnel access to the piping. Lines carrying the pressurized blanketing gas connect to inlets formed in the cover sidewall.
Abstract:
A spray mat for spraying cleaning fluid under pressure onto the outer surfaces of heat exchange tubes that extend in rows in a heat exchanger, the rows of tubes being spaced apart from each other with a generally planar space defined between each two adjacent rows, the spray mat formed of a plurality of spray strips, each spray strip including: (a) a base part having upper and lower surfaces, (b) a fluid inlet, (c) a plurality of spray nozzles spaced apart and secured on the upper and lower surfaces, and (d) a duct system for fluid coupling the fluid inlet to the spray nozzles, each spray strip is bendably and fluid coupled to the next forming a flexible spray mat which is positionable into and removable out of selected ones of the planar spaces between each two adjacent rows of the heat exchange tubes.