초록

Vibrational energy generated with a pneumatic vibrator is controlled to independently adjust the amplitude and the frequency. A mechanical resonator is used to adjust the frequency. The controlled vibrational energy can be applied to equipment, such as a heat exchanger to mitigate fouling.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A process for reducing fouling in a heat exchanger, comprising:providing a heat exchanger with a heat exchange surface adjacent a flow of liquid;generating a pneumatic force to induce a vibration in the heat exchanger that causes shear motion in the liquid flowing adjacent to

What is claimed is: 1. A process for reducing fouling in a heat exchanger, comprising:providing a heat exchanger with a heat exchange surface adjacent a flow of liquid;generating a pneumatic force to induce a vibration in the heat exchanger that causes shear motion in the liquid flowing adjacent to the heat exchange surface to reduce fouling of the heat exchanger;controlling the frequency of the generated vibration by using a mechanical resonator having a resonance frequency and a range of frequency control, including adjusting the frequency of the mechanical resonator within the range;controlling the amplitude of the vibration independently from controlling the frequency of vibration;and wherein the mechanical resonator includes a housing with a stiffening rod coupled to the housing, and adjusting the frequency includes at least one of adjusting a force with which the stiffening rod is coupled to the housing and adjusting a position at which the stiffening rod is coupled to the housing.