Control of detonative cleaning apparatus

摘要

An apparatus for cleaning one or more surfaces within a vessel having a vessel wall (24) separating a vessel exterior from a vessel interior and having a wall aperture is disclosed. The apparatus includes (a) at least one elongate conduit (26) having an upstream first end (28) and a downstream second end (30) and positioned to direct a shockwave from the second end (30) into the vessel interior, and (b) a source of fuel and oxidiser (32) coupled to the conduit (26) to deliver the fuel and oxidiser to the conduit (26). An initiator (50) is positioned to initiate a reaction of the fuel and oxidiser to produce the shockwave. At least one sensor is provided for sensing one or more thermodynamic properties associated with the vessel. A control system is coupled to the initiator (50), the source (32), and the sensor for receiving input from the sensor and controlling operation of the initiator and source responsive to the input to start or determine parameters of a cleaning operation.