DOE Patents title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Flow assisted anti-fouling geometries for compact heat exchangers

Abstract

A header for a heat exchanger and method for cleaning a heat exchanger in a loop without disconnecting loop components is provided. The header is in flow communication with the heat exchanger for distributing fluid through a plurality of adjacent channels. The header is connected between a main heat exchanger inlet nozzle and a channel flow distributor. A filter element is disposed within the header between the nozzle and channel flow distributor. Under normal operation, the filter element removes particulates and fouling material from the main flow stream before it enters the heat exchanger channels. During the cleaning process, fluid is injected on or through the filter element to remove particulates and fouling material through at least one outlet port. The header arrangement allows the filter element to be ‘cleaned in place’ without draining the system and disconnecting the heat exchanger or other components from the flow loop.

Inventors:
; ; ; ;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
OSTI Identifier:
2293885
Patent Number(s):
11821696
Application Number:
17/153,753
Assignee:
National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (Albuquerque, NM)
DOE Contract Number:  
NA0003525
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 01/20/2021
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Citation Formats

Carlson, Matthew David, Lance, Blake, Lyons, Parker Riley, Amogne, Dereje, and Wildberger, Aaron. Flow assisted anti-fouling geometries for compact heat exchangers. United States: N. p., 2023. Web.
Carlson, Matthew David, Lance, Blake, Lyons, Parker Riley, Amogne, Dereje, & Wildberger, Aaron. Flow assisted anti-fouling geometries for compact heat exchangers. United States.
Carlson, Matthew David, Lance, Blake, Lyons, Parker Riley, Amogne, Dereje, and Wildberger, Aaron. Tue . "Flow assisted anti-fouling geometries for compact heat exchangers". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/2293885.
@article{osti_2293885,
title = {Flow assisted anti-fouling geometries for compact heat exchangers},
author = {Carlson, Matthew David and Lance, Blake and Lyons, Parker Riley and Amogne, Dereje and Wildberger, Aaron},
abstractNote = {A header for a heat exchanger and method for cleaning a heat exchanger in a loop without disconnecting loop components is provided. The header is in flow communication with the heat exchanger for distributing fluid through a plurality of adjacent channels. The header is connected between a main heat exchanger inlet nozzle and a channel flow distributor. A filter element is disposed within the header between the nozzle and channel flow distributor. Under normal operation, the filter element removes particulates and fouling material from the main flow stream before it enters the heat exchanger channels. During the cleaning process, fluid is injected on or through the filter element to remove particulates and fouling material through at least one outlet port. The header arrangement allows the filter element to be ‘cleaned in place’ without draining the system and disconnecting the heat exchanger or other components from the flow loop.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2023},
month = {11}
}

Works referenced in this record: