EP3418669B1 - Thermal exchanger cleaning installation and system thereof - Google Patents

Thermal exchanger cleaning installation and system thereof Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3418669B1
EP3418669B1 EP18179196.3A EP18179196A EP3418669B1 EP 3418669 B1 EP3418669 B1 EP 3418669B1 EP 18179196 A EP18179196 A EP 18179196A EP 3418669 B1 EP3418669 B1 EP 3418669B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
openings
enclosure
fluid
hand
hydraulic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP18179196.3A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3418669A1 (en
Inventor
Philip Jackson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eugene B
Original Assignee
Eugene B
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eugene B filed Critical Eugene B
Publication of EP3418669A1 publication Critical patent/EP3418669A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3418669B1 publication Critical patent/EP3418669B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28G—CLEANING OF INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL SURFACES OF HEAT-EXCHANGE OR HEAT-TRANSFER CONDUITS, e.g. WATER TUBES OR BOILERS
    • F28G1/00—Non-rotary, e.g. reciprocated, appliances
    • F28G1/12—Fluid-propelled scrapers, bullets, or like solid bodies
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/04—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
    • B08B9/053—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction
    • B08B9/055—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices conforming to, or being conformable to, substantially the same cross-section of the pipes, e.g. pigs or moles
    • B08B9/0551—Control mechanisms therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/04—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
    • B08B9/053—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction
    • B08B9/057—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices being entrained discrete elements, e.g. balls, grinding elements, brushes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28G—CLEANING OF INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL SURFACES OF HEAT-EXCHANGE OR HEAT-TRANSFER CONDUITS, e.g. WATER TUBES OR BOILERS
    • F28G15/00—Details
    • F28G15/04—Feeding and driving arrangements, e.g. power operation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B2209/00—Details of machines or methods for cleaning hollow articles
    • B08B2209/02—Details of apparatuses or methods for cleaning pipes or tubes
    • B08B2209/027—Details of apparatuses or methods for cleaning pipes or tubes for cleaning the internal surfaces
    • B08B2209/04—Details of apparatuses or methods for cleaning pipes or tubes for cleaning the internal surfaces using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
    • B08B2209/053—Details of apparatuses or methods for cleaning pipes or tubes for cleaning the internal surfaces using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes being moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction
    • B08B2209/055—Details of apparatuses or methods for cleaning pipes or tubes for cleaning the internal surfaces using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes being moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices conforming to, or being conformable to, substantially the same cross-section of the pipes, e.g. pigs or moles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/04—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
    • B08B9/053—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction
    • B08B9/055—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices conforming to, or being conformable to, substantially the same cross-section of the pipes, e.g. pigs or moles
    • B08B9/0552—Spherically shaped pigs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28G—CLEANING OF INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL SURFACES OF HEAT-EXCHANGE OR HEAT-TRANSFER CONDUITS, e.g. WATER TUBES OR BOILERS
    • F28G1/00—Non-rotary, e.g. reciprocated, appliances

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a heat exchanger cleaning installation, according to claim 1.
  • tubular heat exchangers have an efficiency which depends on the heat exchange coefficient through the wall of the tubes.
  • fouling can take the form of scale, silts deposits, a film of biological growth or a combination of these.
  • foam rubber balls are passed through the tubes which have a density equal to that of water, once the air contained in the foam has been eliminated. These balls have a diameter slightly larger than the internal diameter of the tube to ensure sufficient ball / tube friction to wipe the internal surface of the tube.
  • the quantity of balls in the circuit is a fraction of the number of tubes in the exchanger.
  • the necessary passage frequency of the balls to ensure the cleanliness of the tubes is generally at least one passage per day per tube.
  • the balls are injected into the cooling water pipe immediately upstream of the inlet of the exchanger.
  • the balls pass through the tubes and clean them, propelled through the tubes by the hydraulic force created by the pressure drop of water flow in the tube bundle.
  • the balls come out through the heated water discharge pipe.
  • a device known per se generally an inclined grid installed across the pipe
  • These balls are then extracted to a device for managing said balls which generally comprises at least one pump and a storage lock.
  • the balls can either be stopped and stored in the airlock, or returned upstream of the exchanger for a new cleaning.
  • the pump is of a special model which prevents damage to the balls. This pump is however quite expensive. Stopping the balls in the storage lock or passing them through the lock without stopping is most often controlled by a motorized valve of a type that does not damage the balls. This is also where the used balls are removed and the new ones introduced. This device is also quite expensive.
  • the present invention provides for remedying at least one of the above drawbacks by providing an installation for cleaning a heat exchanger, according to claim 1.
  • the aforementioned installation does not include any pump or motorized valves on the circuit of the cleaning bodies, which makes the installation more reliable than before. Indeed, the presence of motorized valves and their repeated use induces over time malfunctions that require maintenance operations.
  • the aforementioned installation is less costly economically than an installation involving motorized valves, a pump, etc.
  • the system comprising said at least one movable member forms a unitary assembly in the sense that it does not consist of parts or components which are distributed in the installation at different places, in particular on different hydraulic connections or pipes.
  • the unitary assembly forms a block or module (structural and functional unit) which can be transported in one piece for its installation in the installation and its connection to various hydraulic connections or pipes.
  • the unitary assembly is capable of receiving and containing cleaning bodies during an operation and for a position of said at least one organ and then of evacuating all or part of these bodies out of the system, for another position of said at least an organ.
  • the unitary assembly forms a sort of airlock which, depending on the position of said at least one movable member, is capable of receiving and storing cleaning bodies coming from a collection zone of the installation or of evacuating them towards a zone reinjection of the installation.
  • positions of said at least one movable member can be envisaged, for example intermediate positions between the first and the second position. These intermediate positions are generally only (temporary) passage positions in which said at least one member does not stop except as regards a rest position in which the system no longer communicates with the outside of said system.
  • said at least one movable member is hollow in order to be able to contain cleaning bodies.
  • the subject of the invention is also a system for recovering and reinjecting cleaning bodies for a heat exchanger, according to claim 9.
  • the system can also include all or some of the other characteristics presented above in relation to the installation.
  • the invention further relates to a method for recovering and reinjecting cleaning bodies for a heat exchanger into a system which forms a unitary assembly according to claim 14.
  • the figure 1 illustrates schematically and in isolation a system 10 for recovering and reinjecting cleansing bodies according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the cleaning bodies are solid cleaning elements known per se which are capable of being put into permanent circulation in the installation of the figure 2 described below and, in particular, in a heat exchanger of this installation, for the continuous cleaning of the latter.
  • the cleaning bodies are foam rubber balls, the diameter of which is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the tubes of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, and whose density, in the impregnated state, is similar to that of water.
  • the system 10 performs several functions on the cleaning bodies, namely their recovery in the installation after having carried out the cleaning of the exchanger, and the reinjection of at least some bodies (insofar as they are not all replaced) for a new cleaning.
  • This system forms a unitary assembly (structural and functional unit) located in a zone of the installation (for example between the two fluid inlet and outlet pipes on the figure 2 ) and which can take the form of a block or module that can be moved in one piece for its installation in the installation or its removal.
  • the system comprises an outer casing or body 25 which comprises several openings each intended to be connected to an external hydraulic connection to said casing and the movable member 12, which here is hollow to be able to contain cleaning bodies, comprises several openings.
  • the member In the first position of the system, the member, on the one hand, obstructs the first openings of the casing in order to prevent any communication between the interior and the exterior of the casing via these first openings and, of on the other hand, puts in correspondence some of the openings of the organ with second openings of the envelope in order to put in communication the interior and the exterior of the envelope via these second openings.
  • the member In the second position of the system, the member, on the one hand, places other openings of the member in correspondence with the first openings of the casing in order to place the interior and exterior of the casing in communication. envelope via these first openings and, on the other hand, closes the second openings of the envelope in order to prevent any communication between the interior and the exterior of the envelope via these second openings.
  • the inside of the casing (and in particular the inside of the organ) and the outside of the casing are placed in communication via different openings of the casing and of the organ which are put in correspondence with one another in order to ensure the functions mentioned above.
  • the aforementioned openings are arranged at different locations of the casing and of the member.
  • the system 10 comprises a first hydraulic connection or connection 14 with a fluid outlet pipe (not shown in the figure. figure 1 ) as well as a second 16 and a third 18 hydraulic connections or fittings with the fluid inlet pipe.
  • the system 10 also includes a fourth hydraulic connection 29 making it possible to evacuate the water during the recovery of the cleaning bodies ( fig. 3 ).
  • the hydraulic connection 29 is, for example, connected, in a manner not shown, to the sewer.
  • the aforementioned hydraulic connections each have an opening at each of their two opposite ends and in particular at the end of the connections which is connected to the casing 25. These latter openings are those which are placed in correspondence with the openings of the member. to let the cleansing bodies and / or the fluid pass, depending on the case and the position of the organ.
  • the links are arranged in different axial positions along the envelope.
  • the movable member 12 has openings 20, 22, 24 which are able to be placed in communication respectively with the first hydraulic connection 14 in the first position of the member ( fig. 3 ) and with the second 16 and third 18 hydraulic connections in the second position of the member ( fig. 1 ).
  • the movable member 12 moves axially (along the X axis) inside the outer casing 25 to which the various aforementioned pipes or hydraulic connections are connected to come, depending on the axial position, to close or leave free of the envelope openings and the whole (envelope and organ) forms a sort of dynamic airlock through which the cleansing bodies will pass.
  • Axial displacement is permitted by means of an actuator or drive device (this device is generally integral with the casing and is therefore part of the unitary assembly formed by the system) such as a jack 26 or any other mechanism.
  • an actuator or drive device such as a jack 26 or any other mechanism.
  • mechanical arrangement capable of producing a reciprocating axial translational movement (back and forth) in order to occupy, on command, any of the positions of the figures 1 , 3 and 4 , even other positions.
  • the jack may be of the pneumatic, hydraulic or electric type.
  • the movable member 12 is a sleeve mounted to slide in the casing 25 concentrically thereto.
  • the movable member can take other embodiments in order to be able to move in a controlled manner and to put in communication the interior of the movable member (interior of the airlock and of the casing). selectively with one or more connections or pipes connected to the casing in order to fulfill either a function of recovering cleansing bodies, or a function of reinjecting these bodies.
  • the movable member 12 of the figure 1 is here open at its two opposite ends arranged along the X axis: at the end 12a arranged opposite the drive device 26, as well as at the other end 12b which is open axially towards the bottom 25a of the body 25.
  • the opening 12b is also considered as an opening of the member 12 which, depending on the position of the latter inside the body 25, puts the interior of the member 12 in communication with the discharge pipe. 29.
  • the member 12 is open laterally to the outside through the openings 20, 22, 24 already described and which are arranged at different axial positions from one another along the member, in particular the sheath.
  • an attachment system 23 known per se of the actuator 26 is mounted on the member 12.
  • a cover 27 is provided above the end 12a to close the body 25 at its end 25b opposite the bottom 25a.
  • the actuator 26 is mounted on the cover 27 and passes through the latter, here by means of the rod of the jack.
  • a grid 28 is disposed above the open end 12b and defines therewith a space (here lower) free from the openings 20, 22, 24 but which has the opening 12b.
  • the cleaning bodies which will be recovered by the movable member will be stopped by this grid which will allow the fluid to pass in the direction of the bottom 25a via the opening 12b and of the pipe 29 when the member 12 has been moved axially ( fig. 3 ).
  • the arrangement of the system 10 (or of any other system according to the invention providing the same functions but with a different structure; it is in particular a system in which a movable member moves inside (a casing or external body to place the interior of the movable member and the exterior of the casing in communication selectively with one or more links connected to the casing) can adopt any position depending on the requirements. emptying and venting facilities: horizontal, inclined or, on the contrary, vertical. In the horizontal position of the body 25, a vertical drain can for example be installed below said body 25. Since the cleaning bodies have a density close to that of water, gravity has indeed no significant impact on these bodies.
  • a cleaning installation according to an embodiment of the invention which comprises several elements including a heat exchanger forming a condenser 32 (in an alternative embodiment not shown the installation may include several exchangers thermal).
  • the exchanger 32 comprises several tubes 34 which are arranged so as to form a tube bundle.
  • this is a tubular heat exchanger which, for example, is of the type of that succinctly described in the document FR 2 716 530 . Since such an exchanger is well known in itself, and does not fall within the scope of the present invention, it will not be described further here.
  • this exchanger 32 is crossed by a flow of cooling fluid, in this case water, in favor on the one hand, of an inlet pipe or pipe or 'cold fluid supply 36 (inlet flow F1) and, on the other hand, an outlet or outlet pipe or pipe for the heated fluid 38 (outlet flow F2).
  • the exchanger may be of another type and the fluid supplied by line 36 may be a hot fluid.
  • cleaning bodies are systematically injected into the inlet pipe 36, to be entrained by the incoming flow F1.
  • the installation 30 also comprises, mounted on the outlet pipe 38, a system 40 for intercepting and collecting the cleaning bodies in circulation known per se.
  • the system 40 comprises for example a sleeve 42, a grid 44 and a body collection box 46 and is installed on the outlet pipe 38. According to a variant not shown, any other system for intercepting and collecting the cleaning bodies can be considered.
  • System 10 of the figure 1 (or any other system according to the invention providing the same functions but with a different structure; it is in particular a system in which a movable member moves inside an envelope or external body to put in communication the interior of the movable member and the exterior of the casing selectively with one or more connections connected to the casing) is arranged between the two pipes 36 and 38 and is connected to the other elements of the installation 30 , in particular to the pipes 38 and 36, via the hydraulic links 14, 16 and 18 described above and shown in their entirety on the figure 2 .
  • the two connections or pipes 16 and 18 enter the inlet pipe 36 upstream of the inlet of the exchanger 32: the pipe 16 (second hydraulic link) is bent upstream, for example at 90 °, and opens out facing the flow F 1 in order to take a fraction of the fluid (the pipe 16 forms an upstream outlet), while the pipe 18 (third hydraulic connection) is bent downstream, for example at 90 °, and opens into the direction of flow F 2 in order to restore all or part of the fluid withdrawn (line 18 forms a downstream outlet).
  • the pipes 14, 16, 18 are connected in a sealed manner to the pipes 36 and 38. Alternatively, the arrangement of the pipes and their shape may differ from the representation of the figure 2 .
  • pipes 16 and 18 are arranged on one side of the sleeve while the pipe 14 is arranged on the opposite side, as well as the pipe 29.
  • any other arrangement of the pipes relative to the sleeve is possible.
  • pipes 16 and 18 (with their openings leading to in the casing 25) and the corresponding openings of the sheath can be angularly offset with respect to each other (eg at 60 or 90 °) and they can also be arranged at different heights from those illustrated in the figures.
  • the pipe 29 can also adopt a different angular orientation.
  • the collection box 46 is connected to the pipe or branch 14 (first hydraulic connection).
  • the pipes 14, 16, 18 and 29 are, for example, nozzles connected to the casing 25 of the airlock.
  • the starting position of a cycle for cleaning the tubes of exchanger 32 is illustrated in figures 1 and 2 .
  • the cleaning bodies (balls) 50 have been previously stopped by the grid 28 and stored at this location in the sleeve 12 as will be seen below.
  • the actuator 26 positions the sleeve 12 so that its axially offset openings 22 and 24 face the connections 16 and 18 respectively (placing the openings and the through openings of the connections in communication), the connections 14 and 29 being blocked by the outer wall of the sheath (the opening 20 is not in communication with the connection 14 and the opening 12b is not in communication with the connection 29).
  • the cleaning bodies 50 which were held captive in the sleeve against the grid 28 are entrained via the connection 18 in the cold water pipe 36. The cleaning bodies 50 then travel through the tubes 34 of the exchanger, cleaning them.
  • the jack 26 brings the sleeve to an axial position ( Figure 3 ) in which the connections 16 and 18 are blocked (the openings 22 and 24 are no longer in communication with the through openings of the connections 16 and 18 which are then opposite the outer wall of the sheath).
  • the opening 20 is opposite of the link 14 (placing in communication) and the link or tap 29 is also open on the inside of the casing 25.
  • the outer wall of the sleeve 12 no longer forms a screen and the link 29 is in communication with the interior of the casing. the envelope 25 and with the inside of the sleeve via the opening 12b.
  • the water in the box 46 of the figure 2 is sucked up by the connection 14 and enters the sheath 12.
  • the box 46 contains cleaning bodies intercepted by the system 40 and these bodies are conveyed by the water which is sucked into the airlock.
  • the water sucked in passes through the grid 28 where the bodies it contains stop (point of collection or interception of the bodies), leaves the sleeve 12 through the opening 12b and comes out through the connection 29 according to the arrow F3, for example towards the sewer.
  • the sleeve 12 can slide to an intermediate rest position where all the exits of the airlock are blocked ( Figure 4 ): the openings of the sleeve 12 are blocked by the outer wall of the body and the connection 29 is opposite the wall of the sleeve.
  • the system according to the invention does not require synchronization as is the case with several motorized valves.
  • the system according to the invention in particular the system 10 (or any other system according to the invention providing the same functions but with a different structure; it is in particular a system in which a movable member moves to the interior of a casing or external body to place the inside of the movable member and the outside of the casing in communication selectively with one or more links connected to the casing), generally applies , to a heat exchange installation comprising an exchanger connected to fluid inlet and outlet pipes and a system for intercepting and collecting cleaning bodies (this system may be different from system 40 of the figure 2 ).
  • system according to the invention applies to all sizes of tubular exchangers as long as the body of the system is sized to contain the load of cleaning bodies necessary for cleaning.
  • the numbers, shapes and arrangements of the openings for communicating the interior of the member with the external hydraulic connections may vary.
  • a pivoting cylinder 60 replaces the sliding cylindrical sleeve of the figures 1 to 4 .
  • the cylinder 60 is mounted to pivot about an axis 61 inside a fixed body or casing 62 to which hydraulic connections 64, 66, 68, 65 are fixedly connected, respectively playing the same role as the connections 14, 16,18,29 of the figure 2 .
  • the system of figures 5 and 6 applies for example to the installation of the figure 2 .
  • a drain 78 has been shown to drain the cleaning bodies from the system, for example when it is installed in a horizontal position. However, other positions are also possible for the system of figures 5 and 6 . As shown on figure 6 , a vent (for filling the system with cleaning bodies) is also provided, for example above the body 62 (here diametrically opposed to the drain 78.
  • the openings of the various hydraulic connections are opened or closed by the offset of the openings on the cylinder, combined with the rotation of said cylinder so as to create either the circulation of cold water which drives the cleaning bodies, or the circulation. of hot water to the sewer which collects them.
  • a position of the cylinder with all openings closed (rest) can also be provided.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne une installation de nettoyage d'échangeur thermique, selon la revendication 1.The present invention relates to a heat exchanger cleaning installation, according to claim 1.

De manière connue, les échangeurs de chaleur tubulaires ont un rendement qui dépend du coefficient d'échange thermique à travers la paroi des tubes. Avec le temps, la surface interne des tubes du faisceau tubulaire qui sont parcourus par le fluide de refroidissement, font l'objet d'un encrassement qui peut prendre la forme de tartre, de dépôts de silts, d'un film de croissances biologiques ou d'une combinaison d'entre ceux-ci.In known manner, tubular heat exchangers have an efficiency which depends on the heat exchange coefficient through the wall of the tubes. Over time, the internal surface of the tubes of the tube bundle which are traversed by the cooling fluid, are subject to fouling which can take the form of scale, silts deposits, a film of biological growth or a combination of these.

Pour éviter cet encrassement qui impacte les performances énergétiques d'un tel échangeur, on fait passer dans les tubes, des boules en caoutchouc mousse qui ont une densité égale à celle de l'eau, une fois l'air contenu dans la mousse éliminé. Ces boules ont un diamètre légèrement supérieur au diamètre interne du tube afin d'assurer un frottement boule/tube suffisant pour essuyer la surface interne du tube. La quantité de boules dans le circuit est une fraction du nombre de tubes de l'échangeur. La fréquence de passage nécessaire des boules pour assurer la propreté des tubes est généralement d'au moins un passage par jour par tube.To avoid this fouling which impacts the energy performance of such an exchanger, foam rubber balls are passed through the tubes which have a density equal to that of water, once the air contained in the foam has been eliminated. These balls have a diameter slightly larger than the internal diameter of the tube to ensure sufficient ball / tube friction to wipe the internal surface of the tube. The quantity of balls in the circuit is a fraction of the number of tubes in the exchanger. The necessary passage frequency of the balls to ensure the cleanliness of the tubes is generally at least one passage per day per tube.

Les boules sont injectées dans la conduite d'eau de refroidissement immédiatement en amont de l'entrée de l'échangeur. Les boules passent dans les tubes et les nettoient, propulsées dans les tubes par la force hydraulique créée par la perte de charge d'écoulement de l'eau dans le faisceau tubulaire. Les boules ressortent par la conduite d'évacuation de l'eau réchauffée. Un dispositif connu en soi (généralement une grille inclinée installée en travers de la conduite) intercepte et collecte les boules. Ces boules sont ensuite extraites vers un dispositif de gestion desdites boules qui comporte généralement au moins une pompe et un sas de stockage. Les boules peuvent être soit arrêtées et stockées dans le sas, soit renvoyées en amont de l'échangeur pour un nouveau nettoyage. La pompe est d'un modèle spécial qui permet de ne pas abîmer les boules. Cette pompe est toutefois assez coûteuse. L'arrêt des boules dans le sas de stockage ou leur traversée du sas sans arrêt est le plus souvent commandé par une vanne motorisée d'un type n'abîmant pas les boules. C'est également là que les boules usées sont retirées et les boules neuves introduites. Ce dispositif est également assez coûteux.The balls are injected into the cooling water pipe immediately upstream of the inlet of the exchanger. The balls pass through the tubes and clean them, propelled through the tubes by the hydraulic force created by the pressure drop of water flow in the tube bundle. The balls come out through the heated water discharge pipe. A device known per se (generally an inclined grid installed across the pipe) intercepts and collects the balls. These balls are then extracted to a device for managing said balls which generally comprises at least one pump and a storage lock. The balls can either be stopped and stored in the airlock, or returned upstream of the exchanger for a new cleaning. The pump is of a special model which prevents damage to the balls. This pump is however quite expensive. Stopping the balls in the storage lock or passing them through the lock without stopping is most often controlled by a motorized valve of a type that does not damage the balls. This is also where the used balls are removed and the new ones introduced. This device is also quite expensive.

Pour des petits échangeurs tels que ceux utilisés dans les installations de climatisation, les procédés industriels et les circuits auxiliaires, il existe un certain nombre de systèmes simplifiés faisant cependant appel à de nombreuses vannes motorisées peu endurantes, souvent associées à une ou plusieurs pompes standard où les boules ne passent pas du fait de la configuration du circuit et de l'action des vannes pilotées.For small exchangers such as those used in air conditioning installations, industrial processes and auxiliary circuits, there are a certain number of simplified systems which however make use of numerous low-endurance motorized valves, often associated with one or more standard pumps where the balls do not pass due to the configuration of the circuit and the action of the piloted valves.

Le document WO 2005/124261 décrit une installation de nettoyage d'un échangeur thermique selon le préambule de la revendication 1.The document WO 2005/124261 describes an installation for cleaning a heat exchanger according to the preamble of claim 1.

La présente invention prévoit de remédier à au moins un des inconvénients ci-dessus en proposant une installation de nettoyage d'un échangeur thermique, selon la revendication 1.The present invention provides for remedying at least one of the above drawbacks by providing an installation for cleaning a heat exchanger, according to claim 1.

L'installation précitée ne comporte ni pompe ni vannes motorisées sur le circuit des corps nettoyants, ce qui rend l'installation plus fiable qu'auparavant. En effet, la présence de vannes motorisées et leur mise en oeuvre répétée induit au cours du temps des dysfonctionnements qui nécessitent des opérations de maintenance.The aforementioned installation does not include any pump or motorized valves on the circuit of the cleaning bodies, which makes the installation more reliable than before. Indeed, the presence of motorized valves and their repeated use induces over time malfunctions that require maintenance operations.

Par ailleurs, l'installation précitée est moins coûteuse économiquement qu'une installation faisant intervenir des vannes motorisées, une pompe....Moreover, the aforementioned installation is less costly economically than an installation involving motorized valves, a pump, etc.

De plus, le déplacement d'un organe et non de plusieurs vannes, typiquement quatre, est plus simple à gérer (ex : pas de synchronisation entre les vannes).In addition, the movement of a member and not of several valves, typically four, is easier to manage (eg no synchronization between the valves).

Le système comprenant ledit au moins un organe mobile forme un ensemble unitaire en ce sens qu'il n'est pas constitué de pièces ou composants qui sont répartis dans l'installation à différents endroits, notamment sur différentes liaisons ou conduites hydrauliques. L'ensemble unitaire forme un bloc ou module (unité structurelle et fonctionnelle) qui peut être transporté d'un seul tenant pour sa mise en place dans l'installation et son raccordement à différentes liaisons ou conduites hydrauliques. L'ensemble unitaire est capable de recevoir et de contenir des corps nettoyants le temps d'une opération et pour une position dudit au moins un organe puis d'évacuer tout ou partie de ces corps hors du système, pour une autre position dudit au moins un organe. L'ensemble unitaire forme en quelque sorte un sas qui, selon la position dudit au moins un organe mobile, est capable de recevoir et de stocker des corps nettoyants provenant d'une zone de collecte de l'installation ou de les évacuer vers une zone de réinjection de l'installation.The system comprising said at least one movable member forms a unitary assembly in the sense that it does not consist of parts or components which are distributed in the installation at different places, in particular on different hydraulic connections or pipes. The unitary assembly forms a block or module (structural and functional unit) which can be transported in one piece for its installation in the installation and its connection to various hydraulic connections or pipes. The unitary assembly is capable of receiving and containing cleaning bodies during an operation and for a position of said at least one organ and then of evacuating all or part of these bodies out of the system, for another position of said at least an organ. The unitary assembly forms a sort of airlock which, depending on the position of said at least one movable member, is capable of receiving and storing cleaning bodies coming from a collection zone of the installation or of evacuating them towards a zone reinjection of the installation.

On notera que d'autres positions dudit au moins un organe mobile sont envisageables, par exemple des positions intermédiaires entre la première et la deuxième position. Ces positions intermédiaires ne sont généralement que des positions de passage (temporaires) dans lesquelles ledit au moins un organe ne s'arrête pas sauf en ce qui concerne une position de repos dans laquelle le système ne communique plus avec l'extérieur dudit système.It will be noted that other positions of said at least one movable member can be envisaged, for example intermediate positions between the first and the second position. These intermediate positions are generally only (temporary) passage positions in which said at least one member does not stop except as regards a rest position in which the system no longer communicates with the outside of said system.

De manière générale, ledit au moins un organe mobile est creux afin de pouvoir contenir des corps nettoyants.In general, said at least one movable member is hollow in order to be able to contain cleaning bodies.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques possibles :

  • le système comprend une enveloppe (ex : externe) qui comporte plusieurs ouvertures destinées chacune à être raccordées à une liaison hydraulique externe à ladite enveloppe, ledit au moins un organe comportant plusieurs ouvertures, et :
    • dans la première position, ledit au moins un organe, d'une part, obstrue des premières ouvertures de l'enveloppe afin d'empêcher toute communication entre l'intérieur et l'extérieur de l'enveloppe via ces premières ouvertures et, d'autre part, met en correspondance certaines des ouvertures dudit au moins un organe avec des secondes ouvertures de l'enveloppe afin de mettre en communication l'intérieur et l'extérieur de l'enveloppe via ces secondes ouvertures,
    • dans la deuxième position, ledit au moins un organe, d'une part, met en correspondance d'autres ouvertures dudit au moins un organe avec les premières ouvertures de l'enveloppe afin de mettre en communication l'intérieur et l'extérieur de l'enveloppe via ces premières ouvertures et, d'autre part, obture les secondes ouvertures de l'enveloppe afin d'empêcher toute communication entre l'intérieur et l'extérieur de l'enveloppe via ces secondes ouvertures ; ainsi, l'intérieur et l'extérieur de l'enveloppe sont mis en communication ou non en fonction de la position dudit au moins un organe mobile à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe et donc de la mise en correspondance ou non des ouvertures dudit au moins un organe mobile avec celles de l'enveloppe ;
  • le système comprend une première liaison hydraulique avec la conduite de sortie de fluide, une deuxième et une troisième liaisons hydrauliques avec la conduite d'arrivée de fluide ainsi qu'une quatrième liaison hydraulique pour l'évacuation de fluide dans la première position dudit au moins un organe, ledit au moins un organe présentant des ouvertures qui sont aptes à être mise en communication avec les première et quatrième liaisons hydrauliques dans la première position dudit au moins un organe et avec les deuxième et troisième liaisons hydrauliques dans la deuxième position dudit au moins un organe ; ledit au moins un organe mobile joue en quelque sorte le rôle d'un distributeur qui permet sur commande de mettre en communication l'intérieur dudit au moins un organe avec des liaisons hydrauliques via des ouvertures afin d'assurer une fonction prédéterminée du système ;
  • dans la première position, les ouvertures dudit au moins un organe ne sont pas en communication avec les deuxième et troisième liaisons hydrauliques ;
  • dans la deuxième position, les ouvertures dudit au moins un organe ne sont pas en communication avec la première liaison hydraulique ;
  • ledit au moins un organe est un fourreau monté coulissant à l'intérieur d'une enveloppe ou, alternativement, ledit au moins un organe est un cylindre monté pivotant autour d'un axe à l'intérieur d'une enveloppe ;
  • le système comporte au moins un actionneur pour déplacer ledit au moins un organe mobile ; l'actionneur peut être de type électrique, hydraulique, pneumatique... ;
  • l'installation comporte en outre un système d'interception et de collecte des corps nettoyants en circulation dans l'installation, ce système étant par exemple disposé sur la conduite de sortie du fluide.
According to other possible characteristics:
  • the system includes an enclosure (eg external) which has several openings each intended to be connected to a link hydraulic external to said envelope, said at least one member comprising several openings, and:
    • in the first position, said at least one member, on the one hand, obstructs the first openings of the envelope in order to prevent any communication between the interior and the exterior of the envelope via these first openings and, of on the other hand, puts in correspondence some of the openings of said at least one member with second openings of the envelope in order to put the inside and the outside of the envelope in communication via these second openings,
    • in the second position, said at least one member, on the one hand, places other openings of said at least one member in correspondence with the first openings of the casing in order to place the interior and exterior of the housing in communication. envelope via these first openings and, on the other hand, closes the second openings of the envelope in order to prevent any communication between the inside and the outside of the envelope via these second openings; thus, the inside and the outside of the casing are placed in communication or not depending on the position of said at least one movable member inside the casing and therefore on the matching or not of the openings of said at least one member movable with those of the envelope;
  • the system comprises a first hydraulic connection with the fluid outlet pipe, a second and a third hydraulic connection with the fluid inlet pipe as well as a fourth hydraulic link for the discharge of fluid in the first position of said at least a member, said at least one member having openings which are able to be placed in communication with the first and fourth hydraulic connections in the first position of said at least one member and with the second and third hydraulic connections in the second position of said at least an organ ; said at least one movable member plays in a way the role of a distributor which, on command, allows the interior of said at least one member to be placed in communication with hydraulic connections via openings in order to ensure a predetermined function of the system;
  • in the first position, the openings of said at least one member are not in communication with the second and third hydraulic connections;
  • in the second position, the openings of said at least one member are not in communication with the first hydraulic connection;
  • said at least one member is a sleeve mounted to slide inside an envelope or, alternatively, said at least one member is a cylinder mounted to pivot about an axis inside an envelope;
  • the system comprises at least one actuator for moving said at least one movable member; the actuator can be of the electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc. type;
  • the installation further comprises a system for intercepting and collecting the cleaning bodies circulating in the installation, this system being for example placed on the fluid outlet pipe.

L'invention a également pour objet un système de récupération et de réinjection de corps nettoyants pour échangeur thermique, selon la revendication 9.The subject of the invention is also a system for recovering and reinjecting cleaning bodies for a heat exchanger, according to claim 9.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques possibles :

  • le système comprend une première liaison hydraulique destinée à être raccordée avec la première conduite de fluide, une deuxième et une troisième liaisons hydrauliques destinées à être raccordées avec la deuxième conduite de fluide ainsi qu'une quatrième liaison hydraulique pour l'évacuation de fluide dans la première position dudit au moins un organe, ledit au moins un organe présentant des ouvertures qui sont aptes à être mises en communication avec la première et la quatrième liaisons hydrauliques dans la première position dudit au moins un organe et avec les deuxième et troisième liaisons hydrauliques dans la deuxième position dudit au moins un organe ;
  • ledit au moins un organe est un fourreau monté coulissant à l'intérieur d'une enveloppe ou un cylindre monté pivotant autour d'un axe à l'intérieur d'une enveloppe ;
  • le système comporte au moins un actionneur pour déplacer ledit au moins un organe mobile.
According to other possible characteristics:
  • the system comprises a first hydraulic connection intended to be connected with the first fluid line, a second and a third hydraulic connection intended to be connected with the second fluid line as well as a fourth hydraulic connection for the discharge of fluid in the first position of said at least one member, said at least one member having openings which are able to be placed in communication with the first and the fourth hydraulic connections in the first position of said at least one member and with the second and third hydraulic connections in the second position of said at least one member;
  • said at least one member is a sleeve mounted to slide inside an envelope or a cylinder mounted to pivot about an axis inside an envelope;
  • the system comprises at least one actuator for moving said at least one movable member.

Le système peut également comporter tout ou partie des autres caractéristiques présentées ci-dessus en relation avec l'installation.The system can also include all or some of the other characteristics presented above in relation to the installation.

L'invention a en outre pour objet un procédé de récupération et de réinjection de corps nettoyants pour échangeur thermique dans un système qui forme un ensemble unitaire selon la revendication 14.The invention further relates to a method for recovering and reinjecting cleaning bodies for a heat exchanger into a system which forms a unitary assembly according to claim 14.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages apparaitront au cours de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre non limitatif et faite en référence aux dessins annexés, sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un système de récupération et de réinjection de corps nettoyants selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, le dispositif étant en position de réinjection de corps nettoyants ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue générale schématique d'une installation d'échange thermique selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, comprenant un échangeur thermique et le système de récupération et de réinjection de corps nettoyants de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue schématique du système de la figure 1 en position de récupération de corps nettoyants ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue schématique du système de la figure 1 en position de repos ;
  • les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues schématiques d'un système de récupération et de réinjection de corps nettoyants selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention.
Other characteristics and advantages will become apparent from the description which follows, given only without limitation and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • the figure 1 is a schematic view of a cleaning body recovery and reinjection system according to one embodiment of the invention, the device being in the cleaning body reinjection position;
  • the figure 2 is a general schematic view of a heat exchange installation according to one embodiment of the invention, comprising a heat exchanger and the system for recovering and reinjecting cleaning bodies from the figure 1 ;
  • the figure 3 is a schematic view of the figure 1 in the cleansing body recovery position;
  • the figure 4 is a schematic view of the figure 1 in rest position;
  • the figures 5 and 6 are schematic views of a system for recovering and reinjecting cleansing bodies according to another embodiment of the invention.

La figure 1 illustre de manière schématique et isolée un système 10 de récupération et de réinjection de corps nettoyants selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention.The figure 1 illustrates schematically and in isolation a system 10 for recovering and reinjecting cleansing bodies according to one embodiment of the invention.

Dans ce mode de réalisation, les corps nettoyants sont des éléments solides de nettoyage connus en soi qui sont susceptibles d'être mis en circulation permanente dans l'installation de la figure 2 décrite ci-après et, notamment, dans un échangeur thermique de cette installation, pour le nettoyage en continu de celui-ci.In this embodiment, the cleaning bodies are solid cleaning elements known per se which are capable of being put into permanent circulation in the installation of the figure 2 described below and, in particular, in a heat exchanger of this installation, for the continuous cleaning of the latter.

En pratique, les corps nettoyants sont des boules en caoutchouc mousse, dont le diamètre est légèrement supérieur au diamètre interne des tubes de l'échangeur thermique à nettoyer, et dont la densité, à l'état imprégné, est similaire à celle de l'eau.In practice, the cleaning bodies are foam rubber balls, the diameter of which is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the tubes of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, and whose density, in the impregnated state, is similar to that of water.

Il convient d'assurer une gestion de ces corps nettoyants par exemple dans l'installation de la figure 2, c'est-à-dire non seulement d'en assurer une circulation effective dans l'échangeur thermique, mais également, d'en contrôler le nombre et éventuellement les dimensions (permettant ainsi éventuellement d'éliminer les corps qui sont trop usés).It is advisable to ensure management of these cleaning bodies, for example in the installation of the figure 2 , that is to say not only to ensure an effective circulation in the heat exchanger, but also, to control the number and possibly the dimensions (thus possibly allowing to eliminate the bodies which are too worn) .

Le système 10 exerce plusieurs fonctions sur les corps nettoyants, à savoir leur récupération dans l'installation après avoir effectué le nettoyage de l'échangeur, et la réinjection d'au moins certains corps (dans la mesure où ils ne sont pas tous remplacés) pour un nouveau nettoyage. Ce système forme un ensemble unitaire (unité structurelle et fonctionnelle) localisé en une zone de l'installation (par exemple entre les deux conduites d'arrivée et de sortie de fluide sur la figure 2) et qui peut prendre la forme d'un bloc ou module pouvant être déplacé d'un seul tenant pour sa mise en place dans l'installation ou son retrait.The system 10 performs several functions on the cleaning bodies, namely their recovery in the installation after having carried out the cleaning of the exchanger, and the reinjection of at least some bodies (insofar as they are not all replaced) for a new cleaning. This system forms a unitary assembly (structural and functional unit) located in a zone of the installation (for example between the two fluid inlet and outlet pipes on the figure 2 ) and which can take the form of a block or module that can be moved in one piece for its installation in the installation or its removal.

A cet effet, le système 10 comprend au moins un organe mobile 12 (ici un seul organe mobile est utilisé et représenté) qui est apte à se déplacer entre plusieurs positions, incluant :

  • une première position dans laquelle le système est configuré pour récupérer et contenir des corps nettoyants dans l'organe mobile 12 (position stable de la figure 3), et
  • une deuxième position dans laquelle le système est configuré pour, d'une part, prélever du fluide d'une conduite d'arrivée de fluide (non représentée sur la figure 1) et, d'autre part, réinjecter, dans ladite conduite d'arrivée de fluide, par l'intermédiaire de l'organe mobile 12 et sous l'action du fluide prélevé, des corps nettoyants contenus dans l'organe (position stable de la figure 1).
To this end, the system 10 comprises at least one movable member 12 (here a single movable member is used and shown) which is able to move between several positions, including:
  • a first position in which the system is configured to collect and contain cleaning bodies in the movable member 12 (stable position of the figure 3 ), and
  • a second position in which the system is configured to, on the one hand, take fluid from a fluid inlet pipe (not shown in the figure figure 1 ) and, on the other hand, reinjecting, into said fluid inlet pipe, via the movable member 12 and under the action of the fluid withdrawn, cleaning bodies contained in the member (stable position of the figure 1 ).

De manière générale, le système comprend une enveloppe ou corps externe 25 qui comporte plusieurs ouvertures destinées chacune à être raccordées à une liaison hydraulique externe à ladite enveloppe et l'organe mobile 12, qui ici est creux pour pouvoir contenir des corps nettoyants, comporte plusieurs ouvertures.In general, the system comprises an outer casing or body 25 which comprises several openings each intended to be connected to an external hydraulic connection to said casing and the movable member 12, which here is hollow to be able to contain cleaning bodies, comprises several openings.

Dans la première position du système, l'organe, d'une part, obstrue des premières ouvertures de l'enveloppe afin d'empêcher toute communication entre l'intérieur et l'extérieur de l'enveloppe via ces premières ouvertures et, d'autre part, met en correspondance certaines des ouvertures de l'organe avec des secondes ouvertures de l'enveloppe afin de mettre en communication l'intérieur et l'extérieur de l'enveloppe via ces secondes ouvertures.In the first position of the system, the member, on the one hand, obstructs the first openings of the casing in order to prevent any communication between the interior and the exterior of the casing via these first openings and, of on the other hand, puts in correspondence some of the openings of the organ with second openings of the envelope in order to put in communication the interior and the exterior of the envelope via these second openings.

Dans la deuxième position du système, l'organe, d'une part, met en correspondance d'autres ouvertures de l'organe avec les premières ouvertures de l'enveloppe afin de mettre en communication l'intérieur et l'extérieur de l'enveloppe via ces premières ouvertures et, d'autre part, obture les secondes ouvertures de l'enveloppe afin d'empêcher toute communication entre l'intérieur et l'extérieur de l'enveloppe via ces secondes ouvertures.In the second position of the system, the member, on the one hand, places other openings of the member in correspondence with the first openings of the casing in order to place the interior and exterior of the casing in communication. envelope via these first openings and, on the other hand, closes the second openings of the envelope in order to prevent any communication between the interior and the exterior of the envelope via these second openings.

Ainsi, en fonction de la position de l'organe dans l'enveloppe, l'intérieur de l'enveloppe (et notamment l'intérieur de l'organe) et l'extérieur de l'enveloppe sont mis en communication par l'intermédiaire de différentes ouvertures de l'enveloppe et de l'organe qui sont mises en correspondance entre elles afin d'assurer les fonctions mentionnées ci-dessus. Les ouvertures précitées sont disposées à différents endroits de l'enveloppe et de l'organe.Thus, depending on the position of the organ in the casing, the inside of the casing (and in particular the inside of the organ) and the outside of the casing are placed in communication via different openings of the casing and of the organ which are put in correspondence with one another in order to ensure the functions mentioned above. The aforementioned openings are arranged at different locations of the casing and of the member.

Dans ce mode de réalisation le système 10 comprend une première liaison ou raccord hydraulique 14 avec une conduite de sortie de fluide (non représentée sur la figure 1) ainsi qu'une deuxième 16 et une troisième 18 liaisons ou raccords hydrauliques avec la conduite d'arrivée de fluide. Le système 10 comporte également une quatrième liaison hydraulique 29 permettant d'évacuer l'eau lors de la récupération des corps nettoyants (fig. 3). La liaison hydraulique 29 est, par exemple, reliée, de manière non représentée, à l'égout. Les liaisons hydrauliques précitées présentent chacune une ouverture à chacune de leurs deux extrémités opposées et en particulier à l'extrémité des liaisons qui est raccordée à l'enveloppe 25. Ces dernières ouvertures sont celles qui sont mises en correspondance avec les ouvertures de l'organe pour laisser passer les corps nettoyants et/ou le fluide selon le cas et la position de l'organe.In this embodiment, the system 10 comprises a first hydraulic connection or connection 14 with a fluid outlet pipe (not shown in the figure. figure 1 ) as well as a second 16 and a third 18 hydraulic connections or fittings with the fluid inlet pipe. The system 10 also includes a fourth hydraulic connection 29 making it possible to evacuate the water during the recovery of the cleaning bodies ( fig. 3 ). The hydraulic connection 29 is, for example, connected, in a manner not shown, to the sewer. The aforementioned hydraulic connections each have an opening at each of their two opposite ends and in particular at the end of the connections which is connected to the casing 25. These latter openings are those which are placed in correspondence with the openings of the member. to let the cleansing bodies and / or the fluid pass, depending on the case and the position of the organ.

Les liaisons sont disposées selon différentes positions axiales le long de l'enveloppe.The links are arranged in different axial positions along the envelope.

Par souci de simplification les conduites, liaisons ou raccords hydrauliques sont représentées sur une partie de leur longueur seulement.For the sake of simplicity, hydraulic pipes, connections or fittings are shown over only part of their length.

L'organe mobile 12 présente des ouvertures 20, 22, 24 qui sont aptes à être mises en communication respectivement avec la première liaison hydraulique 14 dans la première position de l'organe (fig. 3) et avec les deuxième 16 et troisième 18 liaisons hydrauliques dans la deuxième position de l'organe (fig. 1).The movable member 12 has openings 20, 22, 24 which are able to be placed in communication respectively with the first hydraulic connection 14 in the first position of the member ( fig. 3 ) and with the second 16 and third 18 hydraulic connections in the second position of the member ( fig. 1 ).

Plus particulièrement, l'organe mobile 12 se déplace axialement (suivant l'axe X) à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe externe 25 à laquelle sont raccordées les différentes conduites ou liaisons hydrauliques précitées pour venir, selon la position axiale, obturer ou laisser libres des ouvertures de l'enveloppe et l'ensemble (enveloppe et organe) forme en quelque sorte un sas dynamique par lequel vont transiter les corps nettoyants.More particularly, the movable member 12 moves axially (along the X axis) inside the outer casing 25 to which the various aforementioned pipes or hydraulic connections are connected to come, depending on the axial position, to close or leave free of the envelope openings and the whole (envelope and organ) forms a sort of dynamic airlock through which the cleansing bodies will pass.

Le déplacement axial est permis grâce à un dispositif d'actionnement ou d'entrainement (ce dispositif est généralement solidaire de l'enveloppe et fait donc partie de l'ensemble unitaire formé par le système) tel qu'un vérin 26 ou tout autre mécanisme/agencement mécanique capable de produire un mouvement de translation axial alternatif (va-et-vient) afin d'occuper, sur commande, l'une quelconque des positions des figures 1, 3 et 4, voire d'autres positions. Atitre d'exemple, le vérin peut être de type pneumatique, hydraulique ou électrique.Axial displacement is permitted by means of an actuator or drive device (this device is generally integral with the casing and is therefore part of the unitary assembly formed by the system) such as a jack 26 or any other mechanism. / mechanical arrangement capable of producing a reciprocating axial translational movement (back and forth) in order to occupy, on command, any of the positions of the figures 1 , 3 and 4 , even other positions. By way of example, the jack may be of the pneumatic, hydraulic or electric type.

Ici, l'organe mobile 12 est un fourreau monté coulissant dans l'enveloppe 25 de manière concentrique à cette dernière.Here, the movable member 12 is a sleeve mounted to slide in the casing 25 concentrically thereto.

Selon des variantes de réalisation non représentées, l'organe mobile peut prendre d'autres formes de réalisation pour pouvoir se déplacer de manière commandée et mettre en communication l'intérieur de l'organe mobile (intérieur du sas et de l'enveloppe) de façon sélective avec une ou plusieurs liaisons ou conduites raccordées à l'enveloppe afin de remplir, soit une fonction de récupération de corps nettoyants, soit une fonction de réinjection de ces corps.According to variant embodiments not shown, the movable member can take other embodiments in order to be able to move in a controlled manner and to put in communication the interior of the movable member (interior of the airlock and of the casing). selectively with one or more connections or pipes connected to the casing in order to fulfill either a function of recovering cleansing bodies, or a function of reinjecting these bodies.

L'organe mobile 12 de la figure 1 est ici ouvert à ses deux extrémités opposées disposées suivant l'axe X : à l'extrémité 12a disposée en regard du dispositif d'entrainement 26, ainsi qu'à l'autre extrémité 12b qui est ouverte axialement en direction du fond 25a du corps 25. L'ouverture 12b est également considérée comme une ouverture de l'organe 12 qui, selon la position de ce dernier à l'intérieur du corps 25, met en communication l'intérieur de l'organe 12 avec la conduite d'évacuation 29.The movable member 12 of the figure 1 is here open at its two opposite ends arranged along the X axis: at the end 12a arranged opposite the drive device 26, as well as at the other end 12b which is open axially towards the bottom 25a of the body 25. The opening 12b is also considered as an opening of the member 12 which, depending on the position of the latter inside the body 25, puts the interior of the member 12 in communication with the discharge pipe. 29.

Par ailleurs, l'organe 12 est ouvert latéralement sur l'extérieur par les ouvertures 20, 22, 24 déjà décrites et qui sont agencées à différentes positions axiales les unes des autres le long de l'organe, notamment du fourreau.Furthermore, the member 12 is open laterally to the outside through the openings 20, 22, 24 already described and which are arranged at different axial positions from one another along the member, in particular the sheath.

A l'extrémité 12a, disposée en partie haute sur la figure 1, un système d'attache 23 connu en soi de l'actionneur 26 est monté sur l'organe 12. Un couvercle 27 est prévu au-dessus de l'extrémité 12a pour fermer le corps 25 à son extrémité 25b opposée au fond 25a. L'actionneur 26 est monté sur le couvercle 27 et traverse celui-ci, ici par l'intermédiaire de la tige du vérin.At the end 12a, arranged in the upper part on the figure 1 , an attachment system 23 known per se of the actuator 26 is mounted on the member 12. A cover 27 is provided above the end 12a to close the body 25 at its end 25b opposite the bottom 25a. The actuator 26 is mounted on the cover 27 and passes through the latter, here by means of the rod of the jack.

Une grille 28 est disposée au-dessus de l'extrémité ouverte 12b et délimite avec celle-ci un espace (ici inférieur) exempt des ouvertures 20, 22, 24 mais qui présente l'ouverture 12b. Les corps nettoyants qui seront récupérés par l'organe mobile seront arrêtés par cette grille qui laissera passer le fluide en direction du fond 25a via l'ouverture 12b et de la conduite 29 lorsque l'organe 12 aura été déplacé axialement (fig. 3).A grid 28 is disposed above the open end 12b and defines therewith a space (here lower) free from the openings 20, 22, 24 but which has the opening 12b. The cleaning bodies which will be recovered by the movable member will be stopped by this grid which will allow the fluid to pass in the direction of the bottom 25a via the opening 12b and of the pipe 29 when the member 12 has been moved axially ( fig. 3 ).

On notera que l'agencement du système 10 (ou de tout autre système selon l'invention assurant les mêmes fonctions mais avec une structure différente ; il s'agit notamment d'un système dans lequel un organe mobile se déplace à l'intérieur d'une enveloppe ou corps externe pour mettre en communication l'intérieur de l'organe mobile et l'extérieur de l'enveloppe de façon sélective avec une ou plusieurs liaisons raccordées à l'enveloppe) peut adopter n'importe quelle position en fonction des facilités de vidange et d'évent : horizontale, inclinée ou, au contraire, verticale. En position horizontale du corps 25 une vidange verticale peut par exemple être installée en dessous dudit corps 25. Les corps nettoyants ayant une densité proche de celle de l'eau, la gravité n'a en effet pas d'impact significatif sur ces corps.It will be noted that the arrangement of the system 10 (or of any other system according to the invention providing the same functions but with a different structure; it is in particular a system in which a movable member moves inside (a casing or external body to place the interior of the movable member and the exterior of the casing in communication selectively with one or more links connected to the casing) can adopt any position depending on the requirements. emptying and venting facilities: horizontal, inclined or, on the contrary, vertical. In the horizontal position of the body 25, a vertical drain can for example be installed below said body 25. Since the cleaning bodies have a density close to that of water, gravity has indeed no significant impact on these bodies.

Sur la figure 2 on a schématisé, sous la référence générale notée 30, une installation de nettoyage selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention qui comprend plusieurs éléments dont un échangeur thermique formant condenseur 32 (dans une variante de réalisation non représentée l'installation peut comporter plusieurs échangeurs thermiques). L'échangeur 32 comporte plusieurs tubes 34 qui sont agencés de manière à former un faisceau tubulaire. Il s'agit, en pratique d'un échangeur tubulaire qui, par exemple, est du type de celui succinctement décrit dans le document FR 2 716 530 . Un tel échangeur étant bien connu par lui-même, et ne relevant pas, en propre, de la présente invention, il ne sera pas décrit plus avant ici.On the figure 2 there is shown schematically, under the general reference denoted 30, a cleaning installation according to an embodiment of the invention which comprises several elements including a heat exchanger forming a condenser 32 (in an alternative embodiment not shown the installation may include several exchangers thermal). The exchanger 32 comprises several tubes 34 which are arranged so as to form a tube bundle. In practice, this is a tubular heat exchanger which, for example, is of the type of that succinctly described in the document FR 2 716 530 . Since such an exchanger is well known in itself, and does not fall within the scope of the present invention, it will not be described further here.

Comme schématisé par les flèches F1 et F2, cet échangeur 32 est traversé par un flux de fluide de refroidissement, en l'espèce de l'eau, à la faveur d'une part, d'une conduite ou canalisation d'arrivée ou d'amenée du fluide froid 36 (flux d'entrée F1) et, d'autre part, d'une conduite ou canalisation de sortie ou d'évacuation du fluide réchauffé 38 (flux de sortie F2). Dans une variante, l'échangeur peut être d'un autre type et le fluide amené par la conduite 36 peut être un fluide chaud.As shown diagrammatically by the arrows F1 and F2, this exchanger 32 is crossed by a flow of cooling fluid, in this case water, in favor on the one hand, of an inlet pipe or pipe or 'cold fluid supply 36 (inlet flow F1) and, on the other hand, an outlet or outlet pipe or pipe for the heated fluid 38 (outlet flow F2). In a variant, the exchanger may be of another type and the fluid supplied by line 36 may be a hot fluid.

De manière connue en soi, des corps nettoyants sont systématiquement injectés dans la conduite d'entrée 36, pour être entrainés par le flux entrant F1.In a manner known per se, cleaning bodies are systematically injected into the inlet pipe 36, to be entrained by the incoming flow F1.

L'installation 30 comprend également, monté sur la conduite de sortie 38, un système 40 d'interception et de collecte des corps nettoyants en circulation connu en soi. Le système 40 comprend par exemple une manchette 42, une grille 44 et une boîte de collecte de corps 46 et est installé sur la conduite de sortie 38. Selon une variante non représentée, tout autre système d'interception et de collecte des corps nettoyants peut être envisagé.The installation 30 also comprises, mounted on the outlet pipe 38, a system 40 for intercepting and collecting the cleaning bodies in circulation known per se. The system 40 comprises for example a sleeve 42, a grid 44 and a body collection box 46 and is installed on the outlet pipe 38. According to a variant not shown, any other system for intercepting and collecting the cleaning bodies can be considered.

Le système 10 de la figure 1 (ou tout autre système selon l'invention assurant les mêmes fonctions mais avec une structure différente; il s'agit notamment d'un système dans lequel un organe mobile se déplace à l'intérieur d'une enveloppe ou corps externe pour mettre en communication l'intérieur de l'organe mobile et l'extérieur de l'enveloppe de façon sélective avec une ou plusieurs liaisons raccordées à l'enveloppe) est agencé entre les deux conduites 36 et 38 et est relié aux autres éléments de l'installation 30, notamment aux conduites 38 et 36, par l'intermédiaire des liaisons hydrauliques 14, 16 et 18 décrites ci-dessus et représentées dans leur intégralité sur la figure 2.System 10 of the figure 1 (or any other system according to the invention providing the same functions but with a different structure; it is in particular a system in which a movable member moves inside an envelope or external body to put in communication the interior of the movable member and the exterior of the casing selectively with one or more connections connected to the casing) is arranged between the two pipes 36 and 38 and is connected to the other elements of the installation 30 , in particular to the pipes 38 and 36, via the hydraulic links 14, 16 and 18 described above and shown in their entirety on the figure 2 .

Les deux liaisons ou conduites 16 et 18 pénètrent dans la conduite d'arrivée 36 en amont de l'entrée de l'échangeur 32 : la conduite 16 (deuxième liaison hydraulique) est coudée vers l'amont, par exemple à 90°, et débouche face au flux F1 afin de prélever une fraction du fluide (la conduite 16 forme une prise amont), tandis que la conduite 18 (troisième liaison hydraulique) est coudée vers l'aval, par exemple à 90°, et débouche dans le sens du flux F2 afin de restituer tout ou partie du fluide prélevé (la conduite 18 forme une prise aval). Les conduites 14, 16, 18 sont raccordées de manière étanche aux conduites 36 et 38. Alternativement, l'agencement des conduites et leur forme peuvent différer de la représentation de la figure 2.The two connections or pipes 16 and 18 enter the inlet pipe 36 upstream of the inlet of the exchanger 32: the pipe 16 (second hydraulic link) is bent upstream, for example at 90 °, and opens out facing the flow F 1 in order to take a fraction of the fluid (the pipe 16 forms an upstream outlet), while the pipe 18 (third hydraulic connection) is bent downstream, for example at 90 °, and opens into the direction of flow F 2 in order to restore all or part of the fluid withdrawn (line 18 forms a downstream outlet). The pipes 14, 16, 18 are connected in a sealed manner to the pipes 36 and 38. Alternatively, the arrangement of the pipes and their shape may differ from the representation of the figure 2 .

Ici les conduites 16 et 18 sont disposées d'un côté du fourreau tandis que la conduite 14 est disposée du côté opposé, ainsi que la conduite 29. Cependant, tout autre agencement des conduites par rapport au fourreau est envisageable. A titre d'exemple, les conduites 16 et 18 (avec leurs ouvertures débouchant dans l'enveloppe 25) et les ouvertures correspondantes du fourreau peuvent être décalées angulairement les unes par rapport aux autres (ex : à 60 ou 90°) et elles peuvent également être disposées à des hauteurs différentes de celles illustrées sur les figures. La conduite 29 peut également adopter une orientation angulaire différente.Here the pipes 16 and 18 are arranged on one side of the sleeve while the pipe 14 is arranged on the opposite side, as well as the pipe 29. However, any other arrangement of the pipes relative to the sleeve is possible. For example, pipes 16 and 18 (with their openings leading to in the casing 25) and the corresponding openings of the sheath can be angularly offset with respect to each other (eg at 60 or 90 °) and they can also be arranged at different heights from those illustrated in the figures. The pipe 29 can also adopt a different angular orientation.

La boîte de collecte 46 est reliée à la conduite ou piquage 14 (première liaison hydraulique). De manière pratique, les conduites 14, 16,18 et 29 sont par exemple des piquages raccordés à l'enveloppe 25 du sas.The collection box 46 is connected to the pipe or branch 14 (first hydraulic connection). In practice, the pipes 14, 16, 18 and 29 are, for example, nozzles connected to the casing 25 of the airlock.

Fonctionnement de l'installationOperation of the installation

La position de départ d'un cycle de nettoyage des tubes de l'échangeur 32 est illustrée aux figures 1 et 2. Des corps nettoyants (boules) 50 ont été préalablement arrêtés par la grille 28 et stockés à cet emplacement dans le fourreau 12 comme on le verra ci-après.The starting position of a cycle for cleaning the tubes of exchanger 32 is illustrated in figures 1 and 2 . The cleaning bodies (balls) 50 have been previously stopped by the grid 28 and stored at this location in the sleeve 12 as will be seen below.

Le vérin 26 positionne le fourreau 12 de manière à ce que ses ouvertures 22 et 24 décalées axialement soient en face des liaisons 16 et 18 respectivement (mise en communication des ouvertures et des ouvertures débouchantes des liaisons), les liaisons 14 et 29 étant obstruées par la paroi externe du fourreau (l'ouverture 20 n'est pas en communication avec la liaison 14 et l'ouverture 12b n'est pas en communication avec la liaison 29).The actuator 26 positions the sleeve 12 so that its axially offset openings 22 and 24 face the connections 16 and 18 respectively (placing the openings and the through openings of the connections in communication), the connections 14 and 29 being blocked by the outer wall of the sheath (the opening 20 is not in communication with the connection 14 and the opening 12b is not in communication with the connection 29).

La charge d'écoulement créée par le flux entrant F1 dans la conduite 36 et la décharge par le flux sortant F2 de la conduite 38 créent un courant dans l'installation.The flow charge created by the incoming flow F 1 in the pipe 36 and the discharge by the outgoing flow F 2 from the pipe 38 create a current in the installation.

La poussée hydraulique du courant dans la conduite de refroidissement 36 sur la prise 16 tournée vers l'amont, ajoutée à la dépression dans la prise 18 tournée vers l'aval, crée une circulation rapide de l'eau dans le fourreau 12.The hydraulic thrust of the current in the cooling pipe 36 on the outlet 16 facing upstream, added to the vacuum in the outlet 18 facing downstream, creates a rapid circulation of water in the sleeve 12.

Les corps nettoyants 50 qui étaient maintenus captifs dans le fourreau contre la grille 28 sont entraînés via la liaison 18 dans la conduite d'eau froide 36. Les corps nettoyants 50 cheminent ensuite dans les tubes 34 de l'échangeur en les nettoyant.The cleaning bodies 50 which were held captive in the sleeve against the grid 28 are entrained via the connection 18 in the cold water pipe 36. The cleaning bodies 50 then travel through the tubes 34 of the exchanger, cleaning them.

Au bout de quelques secondes, tous les corps nettoyants 50 contenus dans le fourreau ont été réinjectés.After a few seconds, all the cleansing bodies 50 contained in the sheath were reinjected.

Dès que les corps nettoyants 50 ont été réinjectés dans la conduite 36, le vérin 26 amène le fourreau à une position axiale (Figure 3) dans laquelle les liaisons 16 et 18 sont obstruées (les ouvertures 22 et 24 ne sont plus en communication avec les ouvertures débouchantes des liaisons 16 et 18 qui sont alors en vis-à-vis de la paroi externe du fourreau).L'ouverture 20 est en face de la liaison 14 (mise en communication) et la liaison ou piquage 29 est également ouverte sur l'intérieur de l'enveloppe 25. La paroi externe du fourreau 12 ne fait plus écran et la liaison 29 est en communication avec l'intérieur de l'enveloppe 25 et avec l'intérieur du fourreau via l'ouverture 12b.As soon as the cleaning bodies 50 have been reinjected into the pipe 36, the jack 26 brings the sleeve to an axial position ( Figure 3 ) in which the connections 16 and 18 are blocked (the openings 22 and 24 are no longer in communication with the through openings of the connections 16 and 18 which are then opposite the outer wall of the sheath). The opening 20 is opposite of the link 14 (placing in communication) and the link or tap 29 is also open on the inside of the casing 25. The outer wall of the sleeve 12 no longer forms a screen and the link 29 is in communication with the interior of the casing. the envelope 25 and with the inside of the sleeve via the opening 12b.

Dans cette position l'ouverture 12b est disposée au-dessus de la liaison 29 (et non plus en dessous comme sur les figures 1 et 2) et en dessous de la liaison 18. D'autres agencements sont toutefois envisageables.In this position the opening 12b is disposed above the connection 29 (and no longer below as on the figures 1 and 2 ) and below link 18. Other arrangements are however possible.

Dans cette position l'eau de la boîte 46 de la figure 2 est aspirée par la liaison 14 et rentre dans le fourreau 12. La boîte 46 contient des corps nettoyants interceptés par le système 40 et ces corps sont véhiculés par l'eau qui est aspirée dans le sas. L'eau aspirée traverse la grille 28 où les corps qu'elle contient s'arrêtent (point de collecte ou d'interception des corps), sort du fourreau 12 par l'ouverture 12b et ressort par la liaison 29 selon la flèche F3, par exemple vers l'égout.In this position the water in the box 46 of the figure 2 is sucked up by the connection 14 and enters the sheath 12. The box 46 contains cleaning bodies intercepted by the system 40 and these bodies are conveyed by the water which is sucked into the airlock. The water sucked in passes through the grid 28 where the bodies it contains stop (point of collection or interception of the bodies), leaves the sleeve 12 through the opening 12b and comes out through the connection 29 according to the arrow F3, for example towards the sewer.

Dans cette position les corps nettoyants sont ainsi récupérés et stockés dans le sas, prêts à être injectés de nouveau.In this position, the cleansing bodies are thus recovered and stored in the airlock, ready to be injected again.

Si l'on ne souhaite pas enclencher un nouveau cycle de nettoyage immédiatement, le fourreau 12 peut coulisser vers une position intermédiaire de repos où toutes les issues du sas sont obstruées (Figure 4) : les ouvertures du fourreau 12 sont obstruées par la paroi externe du corps et la liaison 29 est en vis-à-vis de la paroi du fourreau.If you do not want to start a new cleaning cycle immediately, the sleeve 12 can slide to an intermediate rest position where all the exits of the airlock are blocked ( Figure 4 ): the openings of the sleeve 12 are blocked by the outer wall of the body and the connection 29 is opposite the wall of the sleeve.

Dans l'art antérieur des cycles similaires de récupération et de réinjection de corps nettoyants sont effectués en actionnant des jeux de vannes motorisées présents sur les circuits de circulation des corps dans l'installation, ce qui réduit considérablement l'endurance de tels systèmes de récupération et de réinjection de corps nettoyants. L'absence de vannes motorisées et de pompe assure la fiabilité du système 10 en diminuant considérablement les opérations de maintenance.In the prior art, similar cycles of recovery and reinjection of cleaning bodies are carried out by actuating sets of motorized valves present on the circulation circuits of the bodies in the installation, which considerably reduces the endurance of such recovery systems. and reinjection of cleansing bodies. The absence of motorized valves and of a pump ensures the reliability of the system 10 by considerably reducing maintenance operations.

Le système selon l'invention ne nécessite pas de synchronisation comme c'est le cas avec plusieurs vannes motorisées.The system according to the invention does not require synchronization as is the case with several motorized valves.

Le système selon l'invention, en particulier le système 10 (ou tout autre système selon l'invention assurant les mêmes fonctions mais avec une structure différente; il s'agit notamment d'un système dans lequel un organe mobile se déplace à l'intérieur d'une enveloppe ou corps externe pour mettre en communication l'intérieur de l'organe mobile et l'extérieur de l'enveloppe de façon sélective avec une ou plusieurs liaisons raccordées à l'enveloppe), s'applique, de manière générale, à une installation d'échange thermique comprenant un échangeur raccordé à des conduites d'arrivée et de sortie de fluide et un système d'interception et de collecte de corps nettoyants (ce système peut être différent du système 40 de la figure 2).The system according to the invention, in particular the system 10 (or any other system according to the invention providing the same functions but with a different structure; it is in particular a system in which a movable member moves to the interior of a casing or external body to place the inside of the movable member and the outside of the casing in communication selectively with one or more links connected to the casing), generally applies , to a heat exchange installation comprising an exchanger connected to fluid inlet and outlet pipes and a system for intercepting and collecting cleaning bodies (this system may be different from system 40 of the figure 2 ).

Il s'applique également à une installation qui comporte plusieurs échangeurs en parallèle ou en série, la configuration des conduites d'arrivée et de sortie raccordées aux échangeurs étant adaptée en conséquence.It also applies to an installation which comprises several exchangers in parallel or in series, the configuration of the inlet and outlet pipes connected to the exchangers being adapted accordingly.

De manière générale le système selon l'invention, en particulier le système 10, s'applique à toutes les tailles d'échangeurs tubulaires pour autant que le corps du système soit dimensionné pour contenir la charge de corps nettoyants nécessaires au nettoyage.In general, the system according to the invention, in particular the system 10, applies to all sizes of tubular exchangers as long as the body of the system is sized to contain the load of cleaning bodies necessary for cleaning.

On notera que toutes les explications fournies ci-dessus en relation avec un fourreau coulissant dans une enveloppe externe peuvent s'appliquer à tout autre organe mobile susceptible de remplir les mêmes fonctions, ainsi qu'à tout autre dispositif d'actionnement de cet organe mobile.It will be noted that all the explanations provided above in relation to a sleeve sliding in an outer casing can be applied to any other movable member capable of fulfilling the same functions, as well as to any other device for actuating this movable member. .

Les nombres, formes et agencements des ouvertures pour la mise en communication de l'intérieur de l'organe avec les liaisons hydrauliques externes peuvent varier.The numbers, shapes and arrangements of the openings for communicating the interior of the member with the external hydraulic connections may vary.

Selon un autre mode de réalisation illustré aux figures 5 et 6, un cylindre pivotant 60 remplace le fourreau cylindrique coulissant des figures 1 à 4. Le cylindre 60 est monté pivotant autour d'un axe 61 à l'intérieur d'un corps ou enveloppe fixe 62 auquel sont raccordés de manière fixe des liaisons hydrauliques 64, 66, 68, 65 jouant respectivement le même rôle que les liaisons 14, 16,18, 29 de la figure 2. Le système des figures 5 et 6 s'applique par exemple à l'installation de la figure 2.According to another embodiment illustrated in figures 5 and 6 , a pivoting cylinder 60 replaces the sliding cylindrical sleeve of the figures 1 to 4 . The cylinder 60 is mounted to pivot about an axis 61 inside a fixed body or casing 62 to which hydraulic connections 64, 66, 68, 65 are fixedly connected, respectively playing the same role as the connections 14, 16,18,29 of the figure 2 . The system of figures 5 and 6 applies for example to the installation of the figure 2 .

Le cylindre pivotant 60 actionné par un dispositif approprié (moto réducteur ou autre) comporte, comme le fourreau 12, des ouvertures ou orifices qui sont agencés dans la paroi du cylindre de manière décalée axialement et angulairement (suivant une vue en coupe transversale du cylindre) afin que :

  • dans une position représentée sur la figure 5, des ouvertures 70, 72 par exemple disposées l'une au-dessus de l'autre soient positionnées en regard des liaisons 66 et 68 respectivement, les autres ouvertures 74, 76 décalées axialement et angulairement étant obstruées par la paroi du corps 62 (fonction de réinjection des corps nettoyants équivalent à la position des figures 1 et 2),
  • dans une autre position non représentée (équivalente à la position de la figure 3), les ouvertures 74, 76 sont respectivement en regard des liaisons 64 et 65 (évacuation par exemple à l'égout) qui sont décalées axialement par rapport aux liaisons 66 et 68, tandis que les ouvertures 70 et 72 sont obstruées par la paroi du corps 62.
The pivoting cylinder 60 actuated by an appropriate device (gear motor or other) has, like the sleeve 12, openings or orifices which are arranged in the wall of the cylinder in an axially and angularly offset manner (in a cross-sectional view of the cylinder) so that:
  • in a position shown on the figure 5 , openings 70, 72 for example arranged one above the other are positioned opposite the connections 66 and 68 respectively, the other openings 74, 76 offset axially and angularly being blocked by the wall of the body 62 (function reinjection of the cleansing bodies equivalent to the position of the figures 1 and 2 ),
  • in another position not shown (equivalent to the position of the figure 3 ), the openings 74, 76 are respectively opposite the connections 64 and 65 (eg discharge to the sewer) which are offset axially with respect to the connections 66 and 68, while the openings 70 and 72 are blocked by the wall of the body 62.

Un drain 78 a été représenté pour vidanger les corps nettoyants du système, par exemple lorsqu'il est installé en position horizontale. Toutefois, d'autres positions sont également envisageables pour le système des figures 5 et 6. Comme représenté sur la figure 6, un évent (pour le remplissage du système en corps nettoyants) est également prévu, par exemple au-dessus du corps 62 (ici de manière diamétralement opposée à la vidange 78.A drain 78 has been shown to drain the cleaning bodies from the system, for example when it is installed in a horizontal position. However, other positions are also possible for the system of figures 5 and 6 . As shown on figure 6 , a vent (for filling the system with cleaning bodies) is also provided, for example above the body 62 (here diametrically opposed to the drain 78.

De manière générale, les ouvertures des différentes liaisons hydrauliques sont ouvertes ou fermées par le décalage des ouvertures sur le cylindre, combiné à la rotation dudit cylindre de manière à créer, soit la circulation d'eau froide qui entraîne les corps nettoyants, soit la circulation d'eau chaude vers l'égout qui les collecte.In general, the openings of the various hydraulic connections are opened or closed by the offset of the openings on the cylinder, combined with the rotation of said cylinder so as to create either the circulation of cold water which drives the cleaning bodies, or the circulation. of hot water to the sewer which collects them.

Une position du cylindre toutes ouvertures fermées (repos) peut également être prévue.A position of the cylinder with all openings closed (rest) can also be provided.

On notera que tout ce qui a été dit à propos du mode des figures 1 à 4 s'applique également au mode des figures 5 et 6 et ne sera pas répété ici.Note that all that has been said about the mode of figures 1 to 4 also applies to the mode of figures 5 and 6 and will not be repeated here.

Claims (14)

  1. Cleaning installation of a heat exchanger, comprising:
    - at least one heat exchanger (32) linked, on the one hand, upstream to an intake duct for a fluid (36) and, on the other hand, downstream to an outlet duct for the fluid (38),
    - a system (10) for recovering cleaning bodies (50) in the fluid outlet duct after cleaning of said at least one exchanger by said cleaning bodies and for reinjecting said cleaning bodies into the fluid intake duct, characterized in that the system (10) forms a unitary assembly comprising at least one member (12) which is capable of being moved between several positions, including:
    - a first position in which the system is configured to recover and contain cleaning bodies in said at least one mobile member, and
    - a second position in which the system is configured, on the one hand, to take fluid from the fluid intake duct (36) and, on the other hand, reinject, into said fluid intake duct (36), via said at least one mobile member and under the action of the fluid taken, cleaning bodies contained in said at least one member.
  2. Installation according to Claim 1, characterized in that the system comprises an enclosure which comprises several openings, each intended to be coupled to a hydraulic link external to said enclosure, said at least one member comprising several openings, and:
    - in the first position, said at least one member, on the one hand, blocks first openings of the enclosure in order to prevent any connection between the interior and the exterior of the enclosure via these first openings and, on the other hand, matches some of the openings of said at least one member with second openings of the enclosure in order to connect the interior and the exterior of the enclosure via these second openings,
    - in the second position, said at least one member, on the one hand, matches other openings of said at least one member with the first openings of the enclosure in order to connect the interior and the exterior of the enclosure via these first openings and, on the other hand, blocks the second openings of the enclosure in order to prevent any connection between the interior and the exterior of the enclosure via these second openings.
  3. Installation according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the system comprises a first hydraulic link (14) with the fluid outlet duct (38), a second (16) and a third (18) hydraulic link with the fluid intake duct (36), and a fourth hydraulic link (29) for discharging fluid in the first position of said at least one member, said at least one member having openings (20, 22, 24, 12b) which are capable of being connected with the first (14) and the fourth (29) hydraulic links in the first position of said at least one member and with the second (16) and third (18) hydraulic links in the second position of said at least one member.
  4. Installation according to Claim 3, characterized in that, in the first position, the openings (22, 24) of said at least one member are not connected with the second and third hydraulic links.
  5. Installation according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, in the second position, the openings of said at least one member are not connected with the first hydraulic link.
  6. Installation according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said at least one member is a sheath (12) mounted to slide inside the enclosure (25).
  7. Installation according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said at least one member is a cylinder (60) mounted to pivot about an axis inside the enclosure (62).
  8. Installation according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the system comprises at least one actuator (26) for displacing said at least one mobile member (12).
  9. System (10) for recovering and reinjecting cleaning bodies (50) for a heat exchanger, characterized in that the system forms a unitary assembly comprising an enclosure and at least one member (12) which is mobile inside the enclosure, the enclosure comprising several openings each intended to be coupled to a hydraulic link external to said enclosure, said at least one member comprising several openings and being capable of occupying several positions inside the enclosure, including:
    - a first position in which said at least one member, on the one hand, blocks first openings of the enclosure in order to prevent any connection between the interior and the exterior of the enclosure via these first openings and, on the other hand, matches some of the openings of said at least one member with second openings of the enclosure in order to connect the interior and the exterior of the enclosure via these second openings,
    - a second position in which said at least one member, on the one hand, matches other openings of said at least one member with the first openings of the enclosure in order to connect the interior and the exterior of the enclosure via these first openings and, on the other hand, blocks the second openings of the enclosure in order to prevent any connection between the interior and the exterior of the enclosure via these second openings.
  10. System according to Claim 9, characterized in that:
    - in the first position, the system is configured to recover cleaning bodies (50) from a first fluid duct (38) intended to be coupled to the enclosure and contain them in said at least one mobile member, and
    - in the second position, the system is configured to, on the one hand, take fluid from a second fluid duct (36) intended to be coupled to the enclosure and, on the other hand, reinject, into said second fluid duct (36), via said at least one mobile member and under the action of the fluid taken, cleaning bodies contained in said at least one mobile member.
  11. System according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the system comprises a first hydraulic link (14) intended to be coupled to the fluid outlet duct (38), a second (16) and a third (18) hydraulic link intended to be coupled with the fluid intake duct (36), and a fourth hydraulic link (29) for discharging fluid in the first position of said at least one member, said at least one member having openings (20, 22, 24, 12b) which are capable of being connected with the first (14) and the fourth (29) hydraulic links in the first position of said at least one member and with the second (16) and third (18) hydraulic links in the second position of said at least one member.
  12. System according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that said at least one member is a sheath (12) mounted to slide inside the enclosure (25) or a cylinder (60) mounted to pivot about an axis inside the enclosure (62).
  13. System according to one of Claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the system comprises at least one actuator (26) for displacing said at least one mobile member (12).
  14. Method for recovering and reinjecting cleaning bodies for a heat exchanger in a system according to one of claims 9 to 13, the method comprising steps of displacement of said at least one member inside the enclosure in order for the latter to occupy several positions, including first and second positions.
EP18179196.3A 2017-06-23 2018-06-22 Thermal exchanger cleaning installation and system thereof Active EP3418669B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1755778A FR3068122B1 (en) 2017-06-23 2017-06-23 THERMAL EXCHANGER CLEANING SYSTEM AND SYSTEM THEREFOR

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3418669A1 EP3418669A1 (en) 2018-12-26
EP3418669B1 true EP3418669B1 (en) 2020-12-16

Family

ID=59930506

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18179196.3A Active EP3418669B1 (en) 2017-06-23 2018-06-22 Thermal exchanger cleaning installation and system thereof

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US10816284B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3418669B1 (en)
KR (1) KR20190000845A (en)
ES (1) ES2849437T3 (en)
FR (1) FR3068122B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110763075A (en) * 2018-07-27 2020-02-07 广州马顿环保科技有限公司 Heat exchanger end cover of integrated rubber ball cleaning equipment
CN109675882B (en) * 2018-12-29 2022-04-01 宁波科尼管洁净科技有限公司 Pipe cleaning ball circulating device and working method thereof
WO2021051413A1 (en) * 2019-09-20 2021-03-25 深圳市勤达富流体机电设备有限公司 Horizontal type receiving-while-sending ball-water separator
CN110513559A (en) * 2019-09-20 2019-11-29 深圳市勤达富流体机电设备有限公司 A kind of pressure difference-powered structure

Family Cites Families (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2177429A (en) * 1937-02-16 1939-10-24 Frank G Foster Shower pipe cleaner
US2839768A (en) * 1957-03-15 1958-06-24 Herbert Horwitz Pipe and coil cleaner apparatus
US3021546A (en) * 1960-03-07 1962-02-20 William Sluma Tube or coil cleaning apparatus
DE1238939B (en) * 1962-03-14 1967-04-20 Taprogge Reinigungsanlagen Method and device for returning the cleaning bodies during the cleaning of pipe heat exchangers, in particular condensers, by means of cleaning bodies that are guided in circulation
US3919732A (en) * 1973-11-08 1975-11-18 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co Descaling system for condenser cooling tubes
US4176708A (en) * 1975-09-30 1979-12-04 Wynn Oil Company Flushing of liquid circulation systems
ZA756215B (en) * 1975-09-30 1977-01-26 Wynns Car Care Prod Flushing of liquid circulation systems
US4295519A (en) * 1979-11-13 1981-10-20 Leslie Bellaff Heat reclaimer
DE3207466A1 (en) * 1982-03-02 1983-09-15 Taprogge Gesellschaft mbH, 4000 Düsseldorf DEVICE FOR CLEANING HEAT EXCHANGER TUBES AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SUCH A DEVICE
DE3316020C1 (en) * 1983-03-17 1984-08-30 Taprogge GmbH, 4000 Düsseldorf Method and arrangement for monitoring the operability of a device for cleaning the tubes of a power plant condenser system or the like.
DE3403198C2 (en) * 1984-01-31 1986-09-11 Josef Dipl.-Ing. 4006 Erkrath Koller Device for cleaning the tubes of heat exchangers using cleaning bodies
DE3406982C1 (en) * 1984-02-25 1985-08-01 Taprogge GmbH, 5802 Wetter Lock for cleaning bodies
DE3562050D1 (en) * 1985-05-03 1988-05-05 Gea Energiesystemtechnik Gmbh Sluice for collecting spherical cleaning bodies
EP0199856B1 (en) * 1985-05-03 1988-07-27 GEA Energiesystemtechnik GmbH & Co. Sluice for collecting spherical cleaning bodies
IL79885A0 (en) * 1986-08-29 1986-11-30 Chaim Ben Dosa Cleaning system for fluids-conducting tubing
DE3916952C1 (en) * 1989-05-24 1990-09-06 Ewald 5403 Muelheim-Kaerlich De Wagner
DE3917488C1 (en) * 1989-05-30 1990-06-07 Friedrich 5401 Halsenbach De Bersch
US4984629A (en) * 1989-09-13 1991-01-15 Water Services Of America, Inc. Ball collector and filling apparatus for circulating ball cleaning system
US5176204A (en) * 1990-12-27 1993-01-05 Balls-Technics Ltd. Cleaning system for cleaning fluid-conducting tubing
FR2716530B1 (en) 1994-02-24 1996-07-12 Beaudrey & Cie Interception device for solid elements circulating in a heat exchanger for cleaning the latter.
US5680665A (en) * 1996-04-16 1997-10-28 Water Services Of America, Inc. Ball conditioning, sorting and collecting apparatus for circulating ball cleaning system
JP2001272199A (en) * 2000-03-29 2001-10-05 Hitachi Plant Eng & Constr Co Ltd Cleaner for heat exchanger
US7698769B2 (en) * 2003-02-20 2010-04-20 The Boeing Company Device to catch and retrieve foam pellets
JP2008502871A (en) * 2004-06-15 2008-01-31 ウォン シール セオル Heat exchanger cleaning device using ejector
AU2009343825B2 (en) * 2009-03-31 2014-09-04 Hydroball Technics Holdings Pte Ltd Cleaning system for cleaning tubing
CN103712513B (en) * 2012-10-07 2016-04-06 北京亿玮坤节能科技有限公司 Online cleaning device for blast furnace slag flushing water heat exchanger

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR20190000845A (en) 2019-01-03
FR3068122B1 (en) 2019-07-19
ES2849437T3 (en) 2021-08-18
US20180372433A1 (en) 2018-12-27
US10816284B2 (en) 2020-10-27
FR3068122A1 (en) 2018-12-28
EP3418669A1 (en) 2018-12-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3418669B1 (en) Thermal exchanger cleaning installation and system thereof
EP0077255B1 (en) Method and apparatus for removing sludge from the tube sheets of steam generators
EP3109583B1 (en) System for intercepting and collecting cleaning bodies by alternating sweeping
EP3089806B1 (en) Nozzle for filling a fuel tank, comprising a liquid-vapour separator having two positions
EP1340446B1 (en) Process for automatic dedusting of filters of central vacuum cleaner and corresponding apparatus
EP2239064B1 (en) Balls cleaning apparatus for heat exchanger
EP0063073A1 (en) Device for locating a member in the openings of a tube sheet
FR2640698A1 (en) Peristaltic pump
EP3542058B1 (en) Lubrication device for a flywheel operating under vacuum
EP0679854B1 (en) System for cleaning tubes by means of elastic balls
WO1988003246A1 (en) Barrelling installation
FR3092259A1 (en) INTERCEPTION AND COLLECTION SYSTEM OF CLEANING BODIES BY ALTERNATIVE SCAN
FR2800864A1 (en) INSTALLATION FOR MANAGING SOLID ELEMENTS CIRCULATED IN A HEAT EXCHANGER FOR CLEANING THE SAME
EP1797365B1 (en) Installation and method for driving a submarine pipeline scraper
WO2005033419A2 (en) Improvement to installations which are used to lower an aquifer in a porous substrate by means of drainage, in order to enable the deposition of a solid sedimentary material
FR3085366A1 (en) Multi-reel reel, for flexible fire hose, which incorporates a motor pump and at least one of the reels of which has a drum which is of variable diameter.
EP2474674B1 (en) Siphon device with automatic priming
WO2019106307A1 (en) Immersed device for swimming pool filtration
FR2902355A1 (en) Waste water or solid waste evacuating pipe cleaning device for underwater pipe, has spherical cleaning ball compressed under action of external constraints exerted on its outer surface, where ball is compressed in elastic manner
FR2668083A1 (en) Ball-type cleaning device particularly for plate-type heat exchanger
FR2623279A1 (en) Method and device for marking a tubular panel heat exchanger tube
BE444483A (en)
FR2715188A1 (en) Safety valve for emergency well closure
FR2825794A1 (en) Wetter for cleaning balls of tube heat exchanger has de-gassing chamber connected to vacuum source in form of expansion vessel
EP0105997A1 (en) Process and device for the transfer of liquids by suction

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20190620

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20200109

GRAJ Information related to disapproval of communication of intention to grant by the applicant or resumption of examination proceedings by the epo deleted

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSDIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

INTC Intention to grant announced (deleted)
GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20200707

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: FRENCH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602018010779

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1345989

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20210115

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210316

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210317

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1345989

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20201216

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20201216

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210316

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210416

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2849437

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20210818

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602018010779

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210416

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20210917

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20210630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210622

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210630

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210622

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210416

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20180622

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20230628

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20230830

Year of fee payment: 6

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240621

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240619

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20240628

Year of fee payment: 7