Detonative cleaning apparatus and method

摘要

Methods and apparatus are provided for cleaning a surface within a vessel (20). A fuel/oxidizer charge is provided within a combustion conduit (26). An initial deflagration commenced in a first portion of the charge produces a final detonation at least in another portion of the charge to expel a shockwave from the conduit (26) which impinges upon the surface. The deflagration-to-detonation transition may be encouraged by mechanical enhancements and/or by making the first charge portion more detonable than the second. An initiator (106) is positioned to initiate a reaction of the fuel and oxidizer to produce the shock wave within the conduit for generating the shock wave. A source of purge gas (98) is positioned to introduce the purge gas to the conduit (26) to drive reaction products of the fuel and oxidizer downstream. <IMAGE>