Abstract: A sonic cleaning device and method for removing accumulated fine particles from surfaces such as in heat exchangers using sonic energy vibrations. In the invention, a gas is passed through a tube having internally corrugated walls and having the tube outlet end attached to the inlet end of an expanding horn. The gas flows past the corrugations at high velocity and produces high intensity sonic vibrations within the tube, and the vibrations are amplified by passage through the horn. The horn outlet is directed at a surface to be cleaned and the accumulated particles are fluidized by the sonic energy and removed from the surface by the flowing gas and/or by gravity.

Abstract: A vapor generator is provided for producing vapor such as steam to be used for heavy oil recovery and the like. The vapor generator includes an octagonal cross-section furnace, which has evaporator surface arranged to allow for heating of said fluid to final evaporation in a relatively low heat flux portion of the generator to lessen the likelihood of scale formation on heat transfer elements of the vapor generator.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a number of heat exchange tubes and an improved tube support. The support comprises a plurality of strips which are identical and joined together so that the support engages each tube.

Abstract: A heat exchange vessel has a plurality of tubes disposed therein. A tube sheet section in the vessel has a plurality of ports formed therein for receiving one end of each of said tubes, and at least one channel is formed in said first tube sheet section for communicating with said ports. An additional tube sheet section disposed in said vessel has a plurality of ports formed therein for receiving the other ends of said tubes and at least one channel formed in said additional tube sheet section is provided for communicating with said latter ports. Means is provided for introducing a heat exchange fluid to the channel associated with one of said tube sheet sections for passing through its respective ports through said tubes. Likewise means is provided for collecting the fluid from the channel associated with the other tube sheet section for passing the fluid externally of the vessel.

Abstract: A heat exchange vessel has a plurality of tubes disposed therein. A tube sheet section in the vessel has a plurality of ports formed therein for receiving one end of each of said tubes, and at least one channel is formed in said first tube sheet section for communicating with said ports. An additional tube sheet section disposed in said vessel has a plurality of ports formed therein for receiving the other ends of said tubes and at least one channel formed in said additional tube sheet section is provided for communicating with said latter ports. Means is provided for introducing a heat exchange fluid to the channel associated with one of said tube sheet sections for passing through its respective ports through said tubes. Likewise means is provided for collecting the fluid from the channel associated with the other tube sheet section for passing the fluid externally of the vessel.

Abstract: U-tubes in a heat exchanger are arranged so that at intervals about the periphery of the tube bundle lanes are formed in the layout for more evenly distributing the flow of downcomer fluid through the entire bundle. Ducts are also provided for distributing downcomer fluid into upper portions of the bundle, the ducts providing a one-way communication between the downcomer area and the central portion of the bundle providing both circulation of fluids and preventing backflow of steam formed in the heat exchanger into the downcomer area. A torus header has outlet nozzles communicating with the lower portion of the heat exchanger which header introduces makeup water to the exchanger which is directed through the nozzles at the top surface of the tube sheet for reducing sludge buildup thereon.