Heat exchanger exterior surface cleaning system, method of retrofitting a heat exchanger with a cleaning system, and method of cleaning a heat exchanger

Abstract

A cleaning system may be used with a heat exchanger having a core and a fan. The core may include a first core face and an oppositely disposed second core face. The cleaning system may include a plurality of wash nozzles arranged between the first core face and the fan of the heat exchanger. The cleaning system may be used while the heat exchanger is in operation, reducing the downtime of the heat exchanger. A method of retrofitting a heat exchanger with a cleaning system may include arranging a plurality of wash nozzles between the first core face and the fan of the heat exchanger. A method of cleaning a heat exchanger may include arranging a plurality of wash nozzles between the first core face and the fan, supplying a cleaning fluid to the plurality of nozzles, and initiating a cleaning cycle while the heat exchanger is in operation so that the fan assists in moving the cleaning fluid through the core and removing accumulated debris from the second core face.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning system for use with a heat exchanger having a core and a fan, the core includes a first core face and an oppositely disposed second core face, wherein the cleaning system comprises:
 a plurality of wash nozzles arranged between the first core face and the fan of the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wash nozzles are arranged in a grid and at least some of the nozzles are connected in fluid communication with each other by a plurality of conduits. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wash nozzles are arranged in a generally circular shape and at least some of the plurality of nozzles are connected in fluid communication with each other by a plurality of conduits. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wash nozzles are connected in fluid communication with each other by at least one conduit and the at least one conduit and the plurality of wash nozzles are movable relative to the core. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning system of  claim 1 , further comprising a source of cleaning fluid connected to the plurality of wash nozzles, wherein the source of cleaning fluid comprises at least one conduit. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning system of  claim 5 , wherein the cleaning fluid comprises water and a detergent. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the fan acts as a pressure source to push a cleaning fluid emitted from the plurality of wash nozzles through the first core face and the core to remove debris collected on the second core face. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of wash nozzles are configured to emit the cleaning fluid while the heat exchanger is operating. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning system of  claim 4 , further comprising a temperature sensor that monitors a temperature of the cleaning fluid. 
     
     
         10 . A method of retrofitting a heat exchanger with a cleaning system, the heat exchanger including a core and a fan, the core including a first core face and an oppositely disposed second core face, the cleaning system comprising a plurality of wash nozzles, wherein the method comprises:
 arranging the plurality of wash nozzles between the first core face and the fan of the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of wash nozzles are arranged in a grid and at least some of the nozzles are connected in fluid communication with each other by a plurality of conduits. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of wash nozzles are arranged in a generally circular shape and at least some of the nozzles are connected in fluid communication with each other by a plurality of conduits. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising connecting at least one conduit to the plurality of wash nozzles, wherein the at least one conduit is associated with a source of cleaning fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fan acts as an atomizer and sudser to generate a foam from the cleaning fluid prior to forcing the foam through at least one flow path of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fan acts as a pressure source to push a cleaning fluid emitted from the plurality of wash nozzles through the first core face and the core and thereby to remove collected debris on the second core face. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of wash nozzles are configured to increase the velocity of one or more streams of a cleaning fluid while the heat exchanger is operating. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising monitoring the temperature of the cleaning fluid. 
     
     
         18 . A method of cleaning a heat exchanger while the heat exchanger is in operation, said heat exchanger including a core and a fan, the core includes a first core face and an oppositely disposed second core face, said method comprising:
 arranging a plurality of wash nozzles between the first core face and the fan; supplying a cleaning fluid to the plurality of nozzles; and
 initiating a cleaning cycle while the heat exchanger is in operation so that the fan assists in moving the cleaning fluid through the core and removing accumulated debris from the second core face. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of nozzles are arranged in a grid and wherein at least some of the plurality of nozzles are connected in fluid communication with each other by a plurality of conduits. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of nozzles are arranged in a generally circular pattern and at least some of the plurality of nozzles are connected in fluid communication with each other by a plurality of conduits.