2009

NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) recently entered into a nonexclusive license agreement with Applied Cryogenic Solutions (ACS), Inc. (Galveston, TX) to commercialize its Gas- Liquid Supersonic Cleaning and Cleaning Verification Spray System technology. This technology, developed by KSC, is a critical component of processes being developed and commercialized by ACS to replace current mechanical and chemical cleaning and de-scaling methods used by numerous industries. Pilot trials on heat exchanger tubing compo¬nents have shown that the ACS technology provides for:

• Superior cleaning in a much shorter period of time.
• Lower energy and labor requirements for cleaning and de-scaling operations.
• Significant reductions in waste volumes by not using water, acidic or basic solutions, organic solvents, or non¬volatile solid abrasives as components in the cleaning process.
• Improved energy efficiency in post-cleaning heat exchanger operations.

The ACS process consists of a spray head containing supersonic converging/diverging nozzles, a source of liquid gas; a novel, proprietary pumping system that permits pumping liquid nitrogen, liquid air, or supercritical carbon dioxide to pressures in the range of 20,000 to 60,000 psi; and various hoses, fittings, valves, and gauges. The size and number of nozzles can be varied so the system can be built in configurations ranging from small hand-held spray heads to large multinozzle cleaners. The system also can be used to verify if a part has been adequately cleaned.

The system developed by ACS utilizing the Gas-Liquid Supersonic Cleaning and Cleaning Verification Spray System technology has the flexibility and adaptability for use in existing plants using heat exchangers of various designs and operational configurations. ACS will continue developmental studies and pilot testing for application of its system on various types of heat exchangers and will market its system to those industries utilizing those exchangers. In addition to heat exchanger applications, ACS is adapting the system for numerous applications including: cleaning of coated or contaminated surfaces, air and sea infrastructure applications, mining, natural gas and oil exploration, and numerous other potential uses.