Simulation of the shear effect in the ultrasonic descaling of the heat exchanger which produces viscoelastic soft scale

Abstract

The research object of this paper is a heat exchanger that produces viscoelastic soft scale in a chemical company. The finite element software ANSYS is used to simulate and analyse the shear effect in the ultrasonic descaling process. In the research, the parameters of the Prony series model of viscoelastic materials were obtained by fitting the relaxation modulus data, then the shear stress on the interface between the scale and shell of the heat exchanger was calculated by transient dynamic method, and finally the influence of ultrasonic parameters on the shear effect strength was explored by setting multiple working conditions. The results show that the strength of shear effect increases with the increase of ultrasonic amplitude or the decrease of ultrasonic frequency, so it is advisable to use the high-amplitude and long-pulse ultrasonic wave for scale removal. The simulation method and conclusion in this paper can provide reference for ultrasonic parameter selection in descaling of heat exchange equipment.