Method for dissolving salt encrustations in a heat exchanger

Claim 1

Method for dissolving salt encrustations which are deposited on heat exchanging surfaces of a heat exchanger by exceeding the saturation limit from a gas saturated with water vapor, which comprises passing a gas saturated with water vapor through a heat exchanger which is subdivided into a plurality of sections, subjecting a major portion of the sections to a hot fluid to heat the gas saturated with water vapor passing through said heated sections, subjecting a minor portion of the sections to a cold fluid to cool the gas saturated with water vapor passing through said sections below the dew point to condense the water vapor, effecting dissolution of salt crust in the cooled sections by contact with the condensation water, draining the resultant salt solution from the heat exchanger, thereafter subjecting the cooled sections to the hot fluid, and subjecting another minor portion of the heated sections encrusted with salt to the cold fluid to effect dissolution of salt crust therein.