Abstract: A system capable of autonomous operation is disclosed for cleaning a tube bundle of a heat exchanger core. The system comprises a lance for directing a jet of fluid into spaces between the tubes of the bundle, a carriage for advancing the lance into the bundle, a mount movable relative to the carriage for holding the lance, and a sensor for detecting relative movement between the lance and the carriage, so as to detect when a reaction force acting on the lance upon encountering an obstruction in the tube bundle exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A robot is disclosed for cleaning the exterior of tubes of a heat exchanger. The robot comprises a lance for directing a jet of fluid into spaces between the tubes, a carriage for transporting the lance in a direction of travel parallel to axes of the tubes of the heat exchanger, and traction assemblies for engaging the tubes to enable the carriage to be advanced along the tubes, wherein the traction assemblies are each moveable relative to the carriage in a direction transverse to that of travel in order to change the track width of the robot.

Abstract: A heat exchanger cleaning system is disclosed which is capable of determining the position of a lance within a tube bundle of a heat exchanger core. The system comprises a lance for directing a jet of fluid into spaces between the tubes of the bundle, an arm mounted alongside the lance and movable relative thereto, an abutment mounted to an end of the arm to sense an outer surface of the heat exchanger core, and a transducer for measuring the position of the lance relative to the arm to determine the extent of travel of the tip of the lance beyond the front face of the tube bundle.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has an intake header, a discharge header, a bundle of tubes extending in parallel between the intake header and the discharge header, an intake pipe connected to the intake header and extending transversely to the axes of the tubes of the bundle, the intake pipe having a first end opening into the header and a second end connectable to a process fluid supply pipe, and a baffle assembly for modifying the direction and rate of flow of the process fluid through the intake header, the baffle assembly being located within the intake pipe and secured to the intake pipe at a position adjacent the second end of the intake pipe. The baffle assembly comprises a plurality of slats lying in planes generally parallel to one another and inclined to the direction of fluid flow, and runners connected to the ends thereof to form a rigid structure.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed that has an intake header, a discharge header, a bundle of tubes extending in parallel with one another between the intake header and the discharge header, an intake pipe connected to the intake header and extending transversely to the axes of the tubes of the bundle, the intake pipe having a first end opening into the header and a second end connectable to a process fluid supply pipe, and a baffle assembly for modifying the direction and rate of flow of the process fluid through the intake header, the baffle assembly being located within the intake pipe and secured to the intake pipe at a position adjacent the second end of the intake pipe. The baffle assembly comprises a plurality of slats lying in planes generally parallel to one another and inclined Lo the direction of fluid flow, and runners connected to the ends of the slats to form a rigid structure.

Abstract: A diverter valve which is operable to divert a water supply to a spray includes an undiverted through passage for another water supply, such as filtered water.

Abstract: A diverter valve which is operable to divert a water supply to a spray includes an undiverted through passage for another water supply, such as filtered water.