Abrégé

The present invention comprises a method and system for the in-situ cleaning of a heat exchanger tube bundle of carbonaceous deposits. Using the method and system, an organic solvent is brought into fluid communication with one or more heat exchanger tube bundles in a closed system. The closed system is formed at the site of operation of the heat exchanger tube bundles and without having to remove the heat exchanger tube bundles from their shells or other associated equipment. Once the closed system is formed, the organic solvent is brought to a temperature at which it is effective to remove carbonaceous deposits from the heat exchanger tube bundle and flowed through the equipment associated with the heat exchanger tube bundles so as to contact the heat exchanger tube bundles and remove carbonaceous deposits that have formed therein. In some embodiments, the spent organic solvent may be recovered, such as through the removal of suspended hydrocarbons, and reused in the method and system for cleaning heat exchanger tube bundles.

Classes IPC  ?

• F28G 9/00 - Nettoyage par lessivage ou par lavage, p. ex. avec des solvants chimiques

Abrégé

The present invention comprises a method and system for the in-situ cleaning of a heat exchanger tube bundle of carbonaceous deposits. Using the method and system, an organic solvent is brought into fluid communication with one or more heat exchanger tube bundles in a closed system. The closed system is formed at the site of operation of the heat exchanger tube bundles and without having to remove the heat exchanger tube bundles from their shells or other associated equipment. Once the closed system is formed, the organic solvent is brought to a temperature at which it is effective to remove carbonaceous deposits from the heat exchanger tube bundle and flowed through the equipment associated with the heat exchanger tube bundles so as to contact the heat exchanger tube bundles and remove carbonaceous deposits that have formed therein. In some embodiments, the spent organic solvent may be recovered, such as through the removal of suspended hydrocarbons, and reused in the method and system for cleaning heat exchanger tube bundles.

Classes IPC  ?

• F28G 9/00 - Nettoyage par lessivage ou par lavage, p. ex. avec des solvants chimiques

Abrégé

The present invention comprises a method and system for the in-situ cleaning of a heat exchanger tube bundle of carbonaceous deposits. Using the method and system, an organic solvent is brought into fluid communication with one or more heat exchanger tube bundles in a closed system. The closed system is formed at the site of operation of the heat exchanger tube bundles and without having to remove the heat exchanger tube bundles from their shells or other associated equipment. Once the closed system is formed, the organic solvent is brought to a temperature at which it is effective to remove carbonaceous deposits from the heat exchanger tube bundle and flowed through the equipment associated with the heat exchanger tube bundles so as to contact the heat exchanger tube bundles and remove carbonaceous deposits that have formed therein. In some embodiments, the spent organic solvent may be recovered, such as through the removal of suspended hydrocarbons, and reused in the method and system for cleaning heat exchanger tube bundles.

Classes IPC  ?

• B08B 3/00 - Nettoyage par des procédés impliquant l'utilisation ou la présence d'un liquide ou de vapeur d'eau
• F28G 9/00 - Nettoyage par lessivage ou par lavage, p. ex. avec des solvants chimiques
• B08B 9/032 - Nettoyage des surfaces intérieuresÉlimination des bouchons par l'action mécanique d'un fluide en mouvement, p. ex. par effet de chasse d'eau
• B08B 9/023 - Nettoyage des surfaces extérieures
• B08B 3/08 - Nettoyage impliquant le contact avec un liquide le liquide ayant un effet chimique ou dissolvant
• B08B 3/02 - Nettoyage par la force de jets ou de pulvérisations
• B08B 3/14 - Enlèvement des déchets, p. ex. des étiquettes, se trouvant dans le liquide de nettoyage
• B08B 9/027 - Nettoyage des surfaces intérieuresÉlimination des bouchons
• B08B 9/02 - Nettoyage de conduites ou de tubes ou de systèmes de conduites ou de tubes
• B08B 3/04 - Nettoyage impliquant le contact avec un liquide
• F28D 7/16 - Appareils échangeurs de chaleur comportant des ensembles de canalisations tubulaires fixes pour les deux sources de potentiel calorifique, ces sources étant en contact chacune avec un côté de la paroi d'une canalisation les canalisations étant espacées parallèlement

Abrégé

A method and system for removing hydrocarbon deposits from a heat exchanger tube bundle using an organic solvent. After contact with a heat exchanger tube bundle, the contaminated organic solvent may be treated to remove solids, base waters, and/or suspended hydrocarbons, and then again contacted with a heat exchanger tube bundle for the removal of hydrocarbon deposits. This allows for the removal of hydrocarbon deposits from a heat exchanger tube bundle in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. The treatment of the heat exchanger tube bundle is also preferably performed using a method and system by which, through contact of the heat exchanger tube bundle with an organic solvent, a large percentage of hydrocarbon deposits are removed from the heat exchanger tube bundle in a short period of time.

Classes IPC  ?

• F28G 9/00 - Nettoyage par lessivage ou par lavage, p. ex. avec des solvants chimiques
• B08B 3/08 - Nettoyage impliquant le contact avec un liquide le liquide ayant un effet chimique ou dissolvant
• B08B 9/027 - Nettoyage des surfaces intérieuresÉlimination des bouchons
• F28G 3/16 - Accessoires rotatifs utilisant des jets de fluide pour enlever les débris

Abrégé

A method and system for removing hydrocarbon deposits from a heat exchanger tube bundle using an organic solvent working fluid working fluid. After contact with a heat exchanger tube bundle, the hydrocarbon-laden organic solvent working fluid may be treated to remove solids, base waters, and/or suspended hydrocarbons, and then again contacted with a heat exchanger tube bundle for the removal of hydrocarbon deposits. This allows for the removal of hydrocarbon deposits from a heat exchanger tube bundle in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. The organic solvent working fluid is recycled after proper treatment to be used repeatedly. The only loss and thus makeup required is a small fraction that ends up in the recovered hydrocarbons that is sent back into the refinery or other facility.

Classes IPC  ?

• B08B 3/08 - Nettoyage impliquant le contact avec un liquide le liquide ayant un effet chimique ou dissolvant
• B08B 9/023 - Nettoyage des surfaces extérieures
• B08B 9/027 - Nettoyage des surfaces intérieuresÉlimination des bouchons
• B08B 9/093 - Nettoyage de récipients, p. ex. de réservoirs par la force de jets ou de pulvérisations
• F28G 3/16 - Accessoires rotatifs utilisant des jets de fluide pour enlever les débris
• F28G 9/00 - Nettoyage par lessivage ou par lavage, p. ex. avec des solvants chimiques