Controlling rapping cycle

Claim 1

A method for controlling the rapping of heat exchanging surfaces used to cool gas having fouling deposits thereon, said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in a heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates in the various sections because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) determining the overall heat transfer coefficient of said deposits for each section of said zone, said determining includes determining mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, determining temperatures of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, and determining heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon for each section as a function of time; (d) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of the fouling deposits for each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; (e) removing said fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (f) adjusting said rapping parameters of each section of said zone based on (d), said adjusting includes one or more of (1) adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) adjusting rapping force of individual rappers, (3) adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper in its cycle, (4) adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles of rappers in a said section.

Claim 2

A method for controlling the rapping of heat exchanging surfaces used to cool gas having fouling deposits thereon, said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in a heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates in the various sections because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) determining the overall heat transfer coefficient of said deposits for each section of said zone, said determining includes determining mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, determining temperatures of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, and determining heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon for each section as a function of time; (d) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of the fouling deposits for each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; (e) removing said fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (f) adjusting said rapping parameters of each section of said zone based on (d), said adjusting includes one or more of (1) adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) adjusting rapping force of individual rappers, (3) adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper in its cycle, (4) adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles of rappers in a said section.

Claim 3

A method for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone used to cool a gas by controlled rapping to remove fouling deposits thereon, said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in said heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchanging with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections, each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) determining heat transfer coefficient of said deposits for each section of said zone, said determining includes determining mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, determining temperatures of said product gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone and determining heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section as a function of time; (d) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of the deposits for each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial heat transfer coefficient; (e) removing said fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (f) adjusting said rapping cycle parameters of each section of said zone based on (d), said adjusting includes one or more of (1) adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) adjusting rapping force of individual rappers, (3) adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper in its cycle, (4) adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles of rappers in a said section.

Claim 4

A method for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone used to cool a gas by controlled rapping to remove fouling deposits thereon, said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in said heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchanging with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections, each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) determining heat transfer coefficient of said deposits for each section of said zone, said determining includes determining mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, determining temperatures of said product gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone and determining heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section as a function of time; (d) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of the deposits for each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial heat transfer coefficient; (e) removing said fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (f) adjusting said rapping cycle parameters of each section of said zone based on (d), said adjusting includes one or more of (1) adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) adjusting rapping force of individual rappers, (3) adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper in its cycle, (4) adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles of rappers in a said section.

Claim 5

A method for controlling rapping of heat exchanging surfaces used to cool gas having fouling deposits thereon said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in a heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) obtaining a signal relative to the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone, said obtaining includes obtaining signals relative to mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, obtaining signals relative to temperatures of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, obtaining signals relative to heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer coefficients to a controlling means; (d) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits for each section as a function of time using said controlling means; (e) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (d) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; (f) transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a rapping means for removing said fouling deposits; (g) removing said fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (h) adjusting said rapping parameters of each section of said zone based on (d), said adjusting includes one or more of (1) adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) adjusting rapping force of individual rappers, (3) adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper in its cycle, (4) adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles of rappers in a said section.

Claim 6

A method for controlling rapping of heat exchanging surfaces used to cool gas having fouling deposits thereon said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in a heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) obtaining a signal relative to the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone, said obtaining includes obtaining signals relative to mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, obtaining signals relative to temperatures of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, obtaining signals relative to heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer coefficients to a controlling means; (d) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits for each section as a function of time using said controlling means; (e) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (d) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; (f) transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a rapping means for removing said fouling deposits; (g) removing said fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (h) adjusting said rapping parameters of each section of said zone based on (d), said adjusting includes one or more of (1) adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) adjusting rapping force of individual rappers, (3) adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper in its cycle, (4) adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles of rappers in a said section.

Claim 7

A method for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone used to cool a gas by controlled rapping to remove fouling deposits thereon, said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in a heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) obtaining a signal relative to overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone, said obtaining includes obtaining signals relative to mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, obtaining signals relative to temperatures of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, obtaining signals relative to heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer coefficients to a controlling means; (d) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits for each section as a function of time using said controlling means; (e) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (d) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficinet as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; (f) transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a rapping means for removing said fouling deposits; (g) removing said fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (h) adjusting said rapping parameters of each section of said zone based on (d), said adjusting includes one or more of (1) adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) adjusting rapping force of individual rappers, (3) adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper in its cycle, (4) adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles of rappers in a said section.

Claim 8

A method for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone used to cool a gas by controlled rapping to remove fouling deposits thereon, said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in a heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) obtaining a signal relative to overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone, said obtaining includes obtaining signals relative to mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, obtaining signals relative to temperatures of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, obtaining signals relative to heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer coefficients to a controlling means; (d) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits for each section as a function of time using said controlling means; (e) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (d) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficinet as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; (f) transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a rapping means for removing said fouling deposits; (g) removing said fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (h) adjusting said rapping parameters of each section of said zone based on (d), said adjusting includes one or more of (1) adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) adjusting rapping force of individual rappers, (3) adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper in its cycle, (4) adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles of rappers in a said section.

Claim 9

A method for controlling removal of fouling deposits on heat exchanging surfaces used a cool gas said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in a heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) determining the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits as a function of time; (d) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (e) controlling said rappers for removing said fouling deposits from said sections of said zone.

Claim 10

A method for controlling removal of fouling deposits on heat exchanging surfaces used a cool gas said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in a heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) determining the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits as a function of time; (d) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (e) controlling said rappers for removing said fouling deposits from said sections of said zone.

Claim 17

The method of claims 10 or 11 wherein using rapping means includes adjusting rapping parameters.

Claim 19

A method for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone by removal of fouling deposits on heat exchanging surfaces, said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in a heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) determining the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits as a function of time; (d) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (e) controlling said rappers for removing said fouling deposits from said sections of said zone.

Claim 20

A method for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone by removal of fouling deposits on heat exchanging surfaces, said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in a heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) determining the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits as a function of time; (d) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (e) controlling said rappers for removing said fouling deposits from said sections of said zone.

Claim 23

The method of claims 14 or 16 wherein determining the overall heat transfer coefficient includes determining mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, determining temperatures of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, and determining heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone.

Claim 26

The method of claims 18 or 19 wherein using rapping means includes adjusting rapping parameters.

Claim 28

A method for controlling removal of fouling deposits on heat exchanging surfaces used to cool synthesis gas within a synthesis gas system, said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in a heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits. (b) obtaining signals relative to overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer coefficients to a controlling means; (d) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits as a function of time using said controlling means; (e) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (d) with a preselected reference section using said controlling means, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (f) transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a means for removing fouling deposits;

Claim 29

A method for controlling removal of fouling deposits on heat exchanging surfaces used to cool synthesis gas within a synthesis gas system, said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in a heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits. (b) obtaining signals relative to overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer coefficients to a controlling means; (d) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits as a function of time using said controlling means; (e) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (d) with a preselected reference section using said controlling means, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (f) transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a means for removing fouling deposits;

Claim 36

The method of claims 27 or 28 wherein using rapping means includes adjusting rapping parameters.

Claim 38

A method for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone used to cool a gas removal of fouling deposits from heat exchanging surfaces, said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in a heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) obtaining signals relative to the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer coefficient to a controlling means; (d) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to change of the thickness of said fouling deposits as a function of time using controlling means; (e) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, using controlling means, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (f) transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a means for removing said fouling deposits.

Claim 39

A method for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone used to cool a gas removal of fouling deposits from heat exchanging surfaces, said method comprising: (a) removing heat from a gas in a heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) obtaining signals relative to the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer coefficient to a controlling means; (d) determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to change of the thickness of said fouling deposits as a function of time using controlling means; (e) comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, using controlling means, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (f) transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a means for removing said fouling deposits.

Claim 44

The method of claims 34 or 35 wherein using rapping means includes adjusting rapping parameters.

Claim 46

The method according to any one of claims 1-5, 14, 22 or 31 wherein rapping of each section of the zone is in an adjusted sequential cycle which includes rapping of the other sections of the zone based on the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to changes of the thickness of the fouling deposits of each section as a function of time as compared to the other sections to optimize the overall rapping cycle of the heat exchanging zone.

Claim 47

The method according to any one of claims 1-5, 14, 22 or 31 wherein the overall heat transfer coefficient of a two-phase heat transfer section used to cool gas at above about 1200°-1400° F. is determined using a gamma-ray densitometer to determine the quality of the steam-water two-phase mixture.

Claim 48

An apparatus for controlling rapping of heat exchanging surfaces used to cool gas having fouling deposits thereon said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said gas in said heat exchanging zone with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one-or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections, each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for determining the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any deposits thereon, for each section of said zone, said means for determining includes means for determining mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, means for determining temperatures of said gas and cooling systems within said heat exchanging zone, means for determining heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) means for determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits for each section as a function of time; (d) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; (e) means for removing said fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (f) means for adjusting said rapping parameters of each section of said zone based on the determination of (d), said means for adjusting includes one or more of (1) means for adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) means for adjusting rapping force of individual rappers in its cycle, (3) means for adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper, (4) means for adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) means for adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles of rappers in said section.

Claim 49

An apparatus for controlling rapping of heat exchanging surfaces used to cool gas having fouling deposits thereon said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said gas in said heat exchanging zone with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one-or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections, each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for determining the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any deposits thereon, for each section of said zone, said means for determining includes means for determining mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, means for determining temperatures of said gas and cooling systems within said heat exchanging zone, means for determining heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) means for determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits for each section as a function of time; (d) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; (e) means for removing said fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (f) means for adjusting said rapping parameters of each section of said zone based on the determination of (d), said means for adjusting includes one or more of (1) means for adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) means for adjusting rapping force of individual rappers in its cycle, (3) means for adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper, (4) means for adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) means for adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles of rappers in said section.

Claim 50

An apparatus for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone used to cool a gas by controlled rapping to remove fouling deposits thereon, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said gas in said heat exchanging zone with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one-or two-phase heat transfer section, in which sections fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections, each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for determining the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone, said means for determining includes means for determining mass flow rates of said product gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, means for determining temperatures of said product gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, means for determining heat fluxes of said product gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) means for determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits for each section as a function of time; (d) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; (e) means for removing fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (f) means for adjusting said rapping parameters of each section of said zone based on the determination of (d), said means for adjusting includes one or more of (1) means for adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) means for adjusting rapping force of individual rappers, (3) means for adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper in its cycle, (4) means for adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) means for adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles of rappers in said section.

Claim 51

An apparatus for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone used to cool a gas by controlled rapping to remove fouling deposits thereon, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said gas in said heat exchanging zone with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one-or two-phase heat transfer section, in which sections fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections, each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for determining the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone, said means for determining includes means for determining mass flow rates of said product gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, means for determining temperatures of said product gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, means for determining heat fluxes of said product gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) means for determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits for each section as a function of time; (d) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; (e) means for removing fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (f) means for adjusting said rapping parameters of each section of said zone based on the determination of (d), said means for adjusting includes one or more of (1) means for adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) means for adjusting rapping force of individual rappers, (3) means for adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper in its cycle, (4) means for adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) means for adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles of rappers in said section.

Claim 52

An apparatus for controlling rapping of heat exchanging surfaces used to cool a gas having fouling deposits thereon within a synthesis gas system, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said gas in said heat exchanging zone with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one-or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections, each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for obtaining a signal relative to overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surface, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone, said means for obtaining includes means for obtaining signals relative to mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, means for obtaining signals relative to temperatures of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, means for obtaining signals relative to heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) means for transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer coefficient to a controlling means; (d) means for determining the change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits for each section as a function of time using said controlling means; (e) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section using said controlling means, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; (f) means for transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a means for removing said fouling deposits; (g) means for removing said fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (h) means for adjusting said rapping parameters of each section of said zone based on the determination of (d), said means for adjusting includes one or more of (1) means for adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) means for adjusting rapping force of individual rappers in its cycle, (3) means for adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper, (4) means for adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) means for adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles in said section.

Claim 53

An apparatus for controlling rapping of heat exchanging surfaces used to cool a gas having fouling deposits thereon within a synthesis gas system, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said gas in said heat exchanging zone with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one-or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections, each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for obtaining a signal relative to overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surface, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone, said means for obtaining includes means for obtaining signals relative to mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, means for obtaining signals relative to temperatures of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, means for obtaining signals relative to heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) means for transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer coefficient to a controlling means; (d) means for determining the change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits for each section as a function of time using said controlling means; (e) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section using said controlling means, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; (f) means for transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a means for removing said fouling deposits; (g) means for removing said fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (h) means for adjusting said rapping parameters of each section of said zone based on the determination of (d), said means for adjusting includes one or more of (1) means for adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) means for adjusting rapping force of individual rappers in its cycle, (3) means for adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper, (4) means for adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) means for adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles in said section.

Claim 54

An apparatus for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone used to cool a gas by controlled rapping to remove having fouling deposits thereon, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said gas in said heat exchanging zone with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one-or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections, each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for obtaining a signal relative to overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone, said means for obtaining includes means for obtaining signals relative to mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, means for obtaining signals relative to temperatures of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, means for obtaining signals relative to heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) means for transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer coefficient to a controlling means; (d) means for determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits for each section as a function of time using said controlling means; (e) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section using said controlling means, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; (f) means for transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a means for removing said fouling deposits; (g) means for removing said fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (h) means for adjusting said rapping parameters of each section of said zone based on the determination of (d), said means for adjusting includes one or more of (1) means for adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) means for adjusting rapping force of individual rappers, (3) means for adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper in its cycle, (4) means for adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) means for adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles of rappers in said section.

Claim 55

An apparatus for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone used to cool a gas by controlled rapping to remove having fouling deposits thereon, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said gas in said heat exchanging zone with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one-or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections, each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for obtaining a signal relative to overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone, said means for obtaining includes means for obtaining signals relative to mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, means for obtaining signals relative to temperatures of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, means for obtaining signals relative to heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone; (c) means for transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer coefficient to a controlling means; (d) means for determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits for each section as a function of time using said controlling means; (e) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section using said controlling means, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; (f) means for transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a means for removing said fouling deposits; (g) means for removing said fouling deposits from each section of said zone using rapping means, said rapping means having separate and independently controllable rapping parameters for each section of said zone; and (h) means for adjusting said rapping parameters of each section of said zone based on the determination of (d), said means for adjusting includes one or more of (1) means for adjusting a time interval between rapping of individual rappers in said section, (2) means for adjusting rapping force of individual rappers, (3) means for adjusting the number of strikes of an individual rapper in its cycle, (4) means for adjusting the time interval for rapping an individual rapper, and (5) means for adjusting the time interval between complete rapping cycles of rappers in said section.

Claim 56

An apparatus for controlling removal of fouling deposits on heat exchanging surfaces used to cool gas, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said synthesis gas in said heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchanging with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for determining the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) means for determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits as a function of time; (d) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (e) means for controlling said rappers for removing said fouling deposits from said sections of said zone.

Claim 57

An apparatus for controlling removal of fouling deposits on heat exchanging surfaces used to cool gas, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said synthesis gas in said heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchanging with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for determining the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) means for determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits as a function of time; (d) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (e) means for controlling said rappers for removing said fouling deposits from said sections of said zone.

Claim 64

The apparatus of claims 49 or 50 wherein rapping means includes means for adjusting rapping parameters.

Claim 66

An apparatus for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone used to cool a gas by removal of fouling deposits on heat exchanging surfaces, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said gas in said heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which sections fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section includes rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for determining the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) means for determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of said fouling deposits as a function of time; (d) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (e) means for controlling said rappers for removing said fouling deposits from said sections of said zone.

Claim 67

An apparatus for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone used to cool a gas by removal of fouling deposits on heat exchanging surfaces, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said gas in said heat exchanging zone by indirect heat exchange, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which is a one- or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which sections fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections and each section includes rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for determining the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) means for determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of said fouling deposits as a function of time; (d) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (c) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (e) means for controlling said rappers for removing said fouling deposits from said sections of said zone.

Claim 70

The apparatus of claims 54 or 55 wherein means for determining the overall heat transfer coefficient includes means for determining mass flow rates of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, means for determining temperatures of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone, and means for determining heat fluxes of said gas and cooling system within said heat exchanging zone.

Claim 73

The apparatus of claims 57 or 58 wherein rapping means includes means for adjusting rapping parameters.

Claim 75

An apparatus for controlling removal of fouling deposits on heat exchanging surfaces used a cool said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said gas in said heat exchanging zone with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one-or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections, each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for obtaining signals relative to the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) means for transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer coefficient to a controlling means; (d) means for determining the relative change in the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits as a function of time using said controlling means; (e) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (d) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (f) means for transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a means for removing fouling deposits.

Claim 76

An apparatus for controlling removal of fouling deposits on heat exchanging surfaces used a cool said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said gas in said heat exchanging zone with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one-or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections, each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for obtaining signals relative to the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) means for transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer coefficient to a controlling means; (d) means for determining the relative change in the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits as a function of time using said controlling means; (e) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (d) with a preselected reference section, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (f) means for transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a means for removing fouling deposits.

Claim 83

The apparatus of claims 66 or 67 wherein rapping means includes means for adjusting rapping parameters.

Claim 85

An apparatus for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone used to cool a gas by removal of fouling deposits from heat exchanging surfaces, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said gas in said heat exchanging zone with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one-or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections, each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for obtaining signals relative to the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) means for transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer resistances to a controlling means; (d) means for determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits as a function of time using controlling means; (e) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (d) with a preselected reference section using said controlling means, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (f) means for transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a means for removing said fouling deposits.

Claim 86

An apparatus for optimizing the operation of a heat exchanging zone used to cool a gas by removal of fouling deposits from heat exchanging surfaces, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for removing heat from said gas in said heat exchanging zone with a heat transfer cooling system, said heat exchanging zone comprising a plurality of sections, at least one of which sections is a one-or two-phase heat transfer section, and in which fouling deposits accumulate on the surfaces thereof at different rates because of different conditions which occur in the sections, each section including rappers for removing said deposits; (b) means for obtaining signals relative to the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer surfaces, including any fouling deposits thereon, for each section of said zone; (c) means for transmitting said signals relative to said overall heat transfer resistances to a controlling means; (d) means for determining the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of said fouling deposits as a function of time using controlling means; (e) means for comparing the relative change of the overall heat transfer coefficient of each section from (d) with a preselected reference section using said controlling means, said reference section being the section of least fouling and which is rapped based on its current overall heat transfer coefficient as compared to its initial overall heat transfer coefficient; and (f) means for transmitting a signal from said controlling means to a means for removing said fouling deposits.

Claim 91

The apparatus of claims 73 or 74 wherein rapping means includes means for adjusting rapping parameters.

Claim 93

The apparatus according to any one of claims 40-44, 53, 61 or 70 which includes means for adjusting the rapping each section of the zone in an adjusted sequential cycle with which includes rapping of the other sections of the zone based on the relative changes of the overall heat transfer coefficient due to the change of the thickness of the fouling deposits of each section as a function of time as compared to the other sections to optimize the overall rapping cycle of the heat exchanging zone.

Claim 94

The apparatus according to any one of claims 40-44, 53, 61 or 71 which includes a gamma-ray densitometer to determine the overall heat transfer coefficient of a two-phase heat transfer section used to cool gas at above about 1200°-1400° F. by determining the quality of the steam-water two-phase mixture.