Patent ID: 7395760

Claim:
A method for cleaning a hot heat-exchange device, comprising the steps of: introducing at least one explosive material into the hot heat-exchange device and moving said at least one explosive material to a freely-chosen desired position within the hot heat-exchange device, using a cleaning delivery assembly comprising a cooling apparatus and said explosive material proximate a first end of a tubular device, including placing said cleaning delivery assembly into said hot heat-exchange device through an entry port of said hot heat-exchange device and then applying force to part of said tubular device outside of said hot heat-exchange device, to position said cleaning delivery assembly to said desired position; cooling, using a coolant of said cooling apparatus, said at least one explosive material while introducing said at least one explosive material into the hot heat exchange device, such that when said at least one explosive material is detonated, shock waves from the detonation cause slag to be separated from a region of said hot heat-exchange device without damaging said hot heat-exchange device; and detonating said at least one explosive material at will.