Patent ID: 7341067

Claim:
A method of cleaning at least one heat transfer element inside a boiler being supported by a support structure having a direct measurement weighing system for measuring a force exerted on the support structure by the at least one heat transfer element, the method comprising: a) providing a cleaning system having at least one cleaning element configured to clean at least one of the at least one heat transfer element; b) determining an efficiency rate for the at least one cleaning element through use of the direct measurement weighing system, wherein the determining of the efficiency rate comprising i) measuring the force exerted on the support structure by the at least one heat transfer element, ii) cleaning the at least one heat transfer element with the at least one cleaning element, iii) then, measuring the force exerted on the support structure by the at least one heat transfer element, and iv) comparing the force measured before and after said cleaning the at least one heat transfer element; and c) managing the cleaning system in real time based on the efficiency rate, the managing of the cleaning system comprising i) determining a most effective of the at least one cleaning element based on the efficiency rate on the at least one heat transfer element and operating the at least one cleaning element associated with the at least one heat transfer element based on the ranking, ii) adjusting the operation of the at least one cleaning element for cleaning the at least one heat transfer element to improve deposit removal, and iii) switching the at least one cleaning element from one-way to two-way operation depending on requirements for cleaning of the at least one heat transfer element and the effectiveness of the at least one cleaning element.