Patent ID: 7862224
Filing Date: 2011-01-04
Classification: B06B,B08B,F28G

Abstract:
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.