Patent ID: 7105062
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: B08B,F23J,F28G

Abstract:
1. A method for cleaning a heater tube or exhaust stack heater, said oil tank heater having a heater tube with an open burner end and an open exhaust end, an exhaust stack with a top end and a bottom end, said bottom end of the exhaust stack being in communication with the heater tube near the exhaust end thereof, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing first and second containment drums, each having a top opening and a drain; (b) securing the first drum over said burner end, and securing the second drum over said exhaust end; (c) connecting drain conduit means between the drains of said drums and a debris-receiving means; (d) securing a debris-deflecting cover means over the exhaust end such that said debris-deflecting cover means can deflect debris exiting the exhaust end into the second drum through the top opening thereof; (e) providing a hose connected at one end to a high-pressure water source, and connected at the other end to a nozzle, said nozzle having a plurality of rearwardly-directed jets; (f) inserting the nozzle under the debris-deflecting cover means, through the exhaust end of the heater tube, and into the exhaust stack through the bottom end thereof; (g) activating the high-pressure water source so as to force high-pressure water out the rearwardly-directed nozzle jets; and (h) moving the nozzle upward within the exhaust stack, such that high-pressure water exiting rearwardly from the rearwardly-directed nozzle jets is directed against interior surfaces of the stack so as to loosen accumulated debris therefrom, and so as to wash loosened debris downward within the stack and out the exhaust end of the heater tube, whereupon the debris is directed into the second containment drum by the debris-deflecting cover means; whereupon debris washed into the second containment drum passes through the drain thereof, and is conveyed to the debris-receiving means by the drain conduit means.