ICE BLAST CLEANING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
The present application provides an ice blast cleaning method for a layer of slag on a surface. The ice blast cleaning method may include the steps of maintaining the surface with the layer of slag thereon at an elevated temperature, shooting a number of ice pellets at the layer of slag on the surface, and loosening the layer of slag on the surface via a mechanical impact of the ice pellets on the layer of slag and a thermal shock caused by a temperature differential between the ice pellets and the layer of slag.
1 . An ice blast cleaning method for a layer of slag on a surface, comprising:
maintaining the surface with the layer of slag thereon at an elevated temperature;
shooting a plurality of ice pellets at the layer of slag on the surface; and
loosening the layer of slag on the surface via a mechanical impact of the plurality of ice pellets on the layer of slag and a thermal shock caused by a temperature differential between the plurality of ice pellets and the layer of slag.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the surface comprises a boiler tube and wherein the step of maintaining the surface at an elevated temperature comprises a combustion stream within a boiler.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of shooting a plurality of ice pellets comprises shooting a plurality of water ice pellets.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of shooting a plurality of ice pellets comprises shooting a plurality of dry ice pellets.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of removing the layer of slag from the surface.
6 . A heat exchanger system, comprising:
a heat exchanger positioned within a combustion stream;
wherein the combustion stream creates a layer of slag on the heat exchanger; and
an ice blast system positioned about the heat exchanger;
wherein the ice blast system shoots a stream of ice pellets at the layer of slag so as to loosen the layer of slag via a mechanical impact of the stream of ice pellets on the layer of slag and a thermal shock caused by a temperature differential between the stream of ice pellets and the layer of slag.
7 . The heat exchanger system of claim 6 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of boiler tubes.
8 . The heat exchanger system of claim 6 , wherein the ice blast system comprises a hopper and a mixer.
9 . The heat exchanger system of claim 6 , wherein the ice blast system comprises a tube and a nozzle.
10 . The heat exchanger system of claim 6 , wherein the stream of ice pellets comprises a plurality of water ice pellets.
11 . The heat exchanger system of claim 6 , wherein the stream of ice pellets comprises a plurality of dry ice pellets.
12 . The heat exchanger system of claim 6 , wherein the ice blast system comprises a compressed air source.
13 . The heat exchanger system of claim 6 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises an elevated temperature.
14 . A boiler system, comprising:
a boiler with a plurality of boiler tubes therein;
wherein the plurality of boiler tubes comprises a layer of slag thereon; and
an ice blast system positioned about the boiler;
wherein the ice blast system shoots a stream of ice pellets at the layer of slag so as to loosen the layer of slag via a mechanical impact of the stream of ice pellets on the layer of slag and a thermal shock caused by a temperature differential between the stream of ice pellets and the layer of slag.
15 . The boiler system of claim 14 , wherein the ice blast system comprises a hopper and a mixer.
16 . The boiler system of claim 14 , wherein the ice blast system comprises a tube and a nozzle.
17 . The boiler system of claim 14 , wherein the stream of ice pellets comprises a plurality of water ice pellets.
18 . The boiler system of claim 14 , wherein the stream of ice pellets comprises a plurality of dry ice pellets.
19 . The boiler system of claim 14 , wherein the ice blast system comprises a compressed air source.
20 . The boiler system of claim 14 , wherein the boiler comprises an elevated temperature.