Abstract: Fluid is circulated through a heat exchange system for heat exchange to occur at a bundle of tubes making up a portion of the heat exchange system. Heat exchange efficiency at the bundle of tubes requires debris and fouling deposits accumulated therewithin to be substantially removed. Taking the heat exchange system off-line for physical flushing is not only ineffective but also disallow use of the heat exchange system for the duration it remains off-line. Described herein is an embodiment of a cleaning system which uses a displacement system for displacing cleaning balls carried in fluid into the bundle of tubes for cleaning thereof. A flow diverting system is configured and operable for introducing the cleaning balls to the bundle of tubes when in a first operating mode and for retrieving the cleaning balls from the plurality of tubes when in a second operating mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes embodiments of a detection device for a cleaning system used in heat exchange systems which comprise a plurality of tubes. The detection device comprises a mounting plate defining a plurality of perforations and a plurality of sensors. Each sensor is being coupled to at least one perforation. In many embodiments of this disclosure, each of the plurality of tubes is operable with a corresponding one of the sensors and during a cleaning process where cleaning balls passage through the plurality of tubes, the cleaning balls are detected by a corresponding one of the sensors.

Abstract: Fluid is circulated through a heat exchange system for heat exchange to occur at a bundle of tubes making up a portion of the heat exchange system. Heat exchange efficiency at the bundle of tubes requires debris and fouling deposits accumulated therewithin to be substantially removed. Taking the heat exchange system off-line for physical flushing is not only ineffective but also disallow use of the heat exchange system for the duration it remains off-line. Described herein is an embodiment of a cleaning system which uses a displacement system for displacing cleaning balls carried in fluid into the bundle of tubes for cleaning thereof. A flow diverting system is configured and operable for introducing the cleaning balls to the bundle of tubes when in a first operating mode and for retrieving the cleaning balls from the plurality of tubes when in a second operating mode.

Abstract: In the present invention, a dual hull cyclone is incorporated into a non-powered cleaning system using balls for tubular heat exchange systems. The dual hull cyclone separates balls which are smaller than a predetermined diameter so that they can be disposed of and replaced. The dual hull cyclone also serves to separate debris from fluid in the tubular heat exchange system and also debris that may have accumulated on the balls. The cleaning system in accordance with the present invention comprises a plurality of balls circulating in the fluid of the heat exchange system, a ball inlet, a ball outlet, and a dual hull cyclone. The balls in the fluid are generally of a predetermined diameter suitable for cleaning the tubes in the heat exchange unit. While the balls may be made of a variety of elastomeric materials, almost any resilient material may be utilized. Furthermore, the balls used in the present invention utilize a asymmetrical weighted core to increase the specific gravity of the balls.

Abstract: In the present invention, a dual hull cyclone is incorporated into a non-powered cleaning system using balls for tubular heat exchange systems. The dual hull cyclone separates balls which are smaller than a predetermined diameter so that they can be disposed of and replaced. The dual hull cyclone also serves to separate debris from fluid in the tubular heat exchange system and also debris that may have accumulated on the balls. The cleaning system in accordance with the present invention comprises a plurality of balls circulating in the fluid of the heat exchange system, a ball inlet, a ball outlet, and a dual hull cyclone. The balls in the fluid are generally of a predetermined diameter suitable for cleaning the tubes in the heat exchange unit. While the balls may be made of a variety of elastomeric materials, almost any resilient material may be utilized. Furthermore, the balls used in the present invention utilize a asymmetrical weighted core to increase the specific gravity of the balls.