Heat exchanger tube cleaning apparatus and method of removing a blockage from a tube

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus for removing a blockage from a heat exchanger tube of a steam generator, or the like, having a plurality of tubes extending between a pair of tube sheets. Anchor plate fasteners, which are expandable inside tubes adjacent to the blocked tube, are used to mount an anchor plate to one of the tube sheets. The anchor plate has an opening for aligning in registry with the condenser tube having the blockage and provides a solid platform for mounting either a mechanical device or a fluid pressure device for providing a force against the blockage for removal of the blockage. The cleaning apparatus enables a force to be applied which is significantly greater than that which can be applied with known hand-held devices for removing blockages.

1 . A heat exchanger tube cleaner for removing a blockage in a tube, the blocked tube being part of an array of tubes wherein a tube sheet provides access to the tubes through openings in the tube sheet in registry with the tubes, comprising:
 (a) an anchor plate for mounting on the tube sheet, the anchor plate having a plurality of anchor plate openings therethrough in registry with openings in the tube sheet,   (b) at least one anchor plate fastener for securing the anchor plate to the tube sheet such that the blocked tube is in registry with another anchor plate opening in the anchor plate,   (c) means on the anchor plate to mount a tube cleaning apparatus with access to the blocked tube through an anchor plate opening, and   (d) means for providing a driving force into the blocked tube, to clean the blockage from the tube, engageable with the anchor plate.   
     
     
         2 . A tube cleaner as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the driving force is provided by a flexible coil spring insertable into the blocked tube and wherein the flexible coil spring is operatively connected to a hydraulic drive to urge the flexible coil spring incrementally against the blockage to clear the blockage from the tube. 
     
     
         3 . A tube cleaner as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the driving force is provided by a pressurized water gun for supplying pressurized water to urge the blockage through the tube. 
     
     
         4 . A tube cleaner as defined in  claim 1  wherein the anchor plate fastener is expandable at a position in the anchor plate opening of the anchor plate. 
     
     
         5 . A tube cleaner as defined in  claim 1  wherein the anchor plate has a tube entry guide disposed thereon and a quick disconnect connector secured to the tube entry guide. 
     
     
         6 . A tube cleaner as defined in  claim 1  wherein a plurality of anchor plate fasteners are provided, each in registry with a respective tube. 
     
     
         7 . A tube cleaner as defined in  claim 2  wherein the flexible coil spring has an outer diameter between 80-90% of the inside diameter of the blocked tube. 
     
     
         8 . A tube cleaner is defined in  claim 2  wherein the flexible coil spring has a plug on the distal end thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A tube cleaner as defined in  claim 3  wherein the pressurized water gun supplies pressurized water at a pressure up to about 800 pounds/in 2  to remove a blockage from a tube. 
     
     
         10 . A tube cleaner for removing a blockage in a condenser tube, the blocked tube being part of an array of tubes and wherein a tube sheet provides access to the tubes through openings in the tube sheet in registry with the tubes, comprising:
 (a) an anchor plate for mounting on the tube sheet, the anchor plate having a plurality of anchor plate openings therethrough in registry with openings in the tube sheet,   (b) at least one anchor plate fastener expandable at a position in the anchor plate opening, for securing the anchor plate to the tube sheet such that the blocked tube is in registry with another anchor plate opening in the anchor plate,   (c) a tube entry guide disposed on the anchor plate and extending toward the blocked tube,   (d) a quick disconnect connector, secured to the tube entry guide on the anchor plate, arranged to mount a tube cleaning apparatus with access to the blocked tube, and   (e) means for providing a driving force into the blocked tube to clean the blockage from the tube, engageable with quick disconnect connector on the anchor plate, comprising a flexible coil spring insertable into the blocked tube, the flexible coil spring operatively connected to a drive means to urge the flexible coil spring incrementally against the blockage to clean the blockage from the tube.   
     
     
         11 . A tube cleaner as defined in  claim 2  wherein the flexible coil spring has an outer diameter between 80-90% of the inside diameter of the blocked tube. 
     
     
         12 . A tube cleaner for removing a blockage in a condenser tube, the blocked tube being part of an array of tubes wherein a tube sheet provides access to the tubes through openings in the tube sheet in registry with the tubes, comprising:
 (a) an anchor plate for mounting on the tube sheet, the anchor plate having a plurality of anchor plate openings therethrough in registry with openings in the tube sheet,   (b) at least one anchor plate fastener expandable at a position in the anchor plate opening, for securing the anchor plate to the tube sheet such that the blocked tube is in registry with another anchor plate opening in the anchor plate,   (c) a tube entry guide disposed on the anchor plate and extending toward the blocked tube,   (d) a quick disconnect connector, secured to the tube entry guide on the anchor plate, arranged to mount a tube cleaning apparatus with access to the blocked tube, and   (e) means for providing a driving force into the blocked tube to clean the blockage from the tube, engageable with the quick disconnect connector on the anchor plate, comprising a pressurized water gun for supplying pressurized water to urge the blockage through the tube.   
     
     
         13 . A tube cleaner as defined in  claim 12  wherein the pressurized water gun supplies pressurized water at a pressure up to about 2000 pounds/in 2  to remove a blockage from a tube. 
     
     
         14 . A tube cleaner as defined in  claim 12  wherein the pressurized water gun supplies pressurized water at a pressure in a range of about 800-2000 pounds/in 2  to remove a blockage from a tube. 
     
     
         15 . A method for removing a blockage in a heat exchanger tube being part of an array of tubes in a condenser and wherein a tube sheet provides access to the tubes through openings in the tube sheet in registry with the tubes, comprising:
 mounting an anchor plate on the tube sheet, the anchor plate having a plurality of anchor plate openings therethrough in registry with openings in the tube sheet;   securing at least one anchor plate fastener to the tube sheet at an opening in the tube sheet such that the blocked tube is in registry with another anchor plate opening in the anchor plate;   mounting a tube cleaning apparatus on the anchor plate with access to the blocked tube through an anchor plate opening;   providing a driving force, through a driving force means engaged with the anchor plate, into the blocked tube to clear the blockage from the tube.   
     
     
         16 . A method of removing a blockage in a tube as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the driving force is provided by a flexible coil spring inserted into the blocked tube and wherein the flexible coil spring is operatively connected to a hydraulic drive, urging the flexible coil spring incrementally against the blockage to clear the blockage from the tube. 
     
     
         17 . A method of removing a blockage in a tube as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the driving force is provided by a pressurized water gun and pressurized water is supplied to urge the blockage through the tube.