Heat Exchanger Technology

The fouling liquid is fed upward through a vertical shell and tube exchanger that has specially designed inlet and outlet channels. Solid particles are also fed at the inlet where an internal flow distribution system provides a uniform distribution of the liquid and suspended particles throughout the internal surface of the bundle. The particles are carried by the upward flow of liquid through the tubes where they impart a mild scraping effect on the wall of the heat exchange tubes, thereby removing any deposit at an early stage of formation. These particles can be cut metal wire, glass or ceramic balls with diameters varying from 1 to 4 mm. At the top of the exchanger the particles disengage from the liquid in a widened outlet channel and are returned to the inlet channel through an external downcomer and are recirculated continuously.