ACHIEVEMENTS AND POTENTIAL OF SELF-CLEANING HEAT EXCHANGERS USING UNTREATED NATURAL SEA WATER AS A COOLANT

摘要

The fluidized bed self-cleaning heat exchange technology has been developed in the 70s for the application in thermal desalination plants, like Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) evaporators. This paper summarizes the achievements of the Multi-Stage Flash / Fluidized Bed Evaporator (MSF/FBE) in the past, but also pays attention to its market potential today, whether or not in combination with the possible revamp of existing conventional MSF plants into a better performing configuration. Further, this paper also pays attention to the application of the self-cleaning heat exchange technology for closed-loop coolers or so-called 'mother-coolers' for large chemical plants. Last but not least, attention is paid to the application of the self-cleaning heat exchange technology on offshore platforms using untreated natural seawater as a coolant, where it might replace the conventionally used heavy, bulky, voluminous and energy-inefficient air coolers for the same service.