Bulging and bluging of heat exchanger tubes
Bulging and bluging of heat exchanger tubes
(OP)
Due to overhual of exchanger we found that, hard scale inside tubes and most the tubes are blugged and have Bulging.
we tried to clean it by 10000 psi water jet but still the tubes are blugged and difficult to clean it.
Therefor, we can't use eddy current test(to check on tube thickness and their intgrities) due to blugging
The design pressure of the tube is 7.0 kg/cm2.
fluid is sea water
Design temp. is 60 C
operating temp. is 39.6
opertaing pressureis 1 kg/cm2
Tube material is copper nickel( C7060T )
Are there any method of cleaning or temperary & permenant solution?
Note:
it can't be cleaned by chemical, because that may lead to tube corrosion
we tried to clean it by 10000 psi water jet but still the tubes are blugged and difficult to clean it.
Therefor, we can't use eddy current test(to check on tube thickness and their intgrities) due to blugging
The design pressure of the tube is 7.0 kg/cm2.
fluid is sea water
Design temp. is 60 C
operating temp. is 39.6
opertaing pressureis 1 kg/cm2
Tube material is copper nickel( C7060T )
Are there any method of cleaning or temperary & permenant solution?
Note:
it can't be cleaned by chemical, because that may lead to tube corrosion





RE: Bulging and bluging of heat exchanger tubes
This heat exchanger sounds like it needs to be re-tubed.
RE: Bulging and bluging of heat exchanger tubes
RE: Bulging and bluging of heat exchanger tubes
Did they plug and then bulge? What are they pluged with? If it is scale you will need to acid cleaned. The unit sounds like there is no hope of salvage anyway. Start planing the re-build.
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Corrosion never sleeps, but it can be managed.
http://www.trenttube.com/Trent/tech_form.htm
RE: Bulging and bluging of heat exchanger tubes
Either method requires someone with experience in the methods mention to preform the service. Neither is job for amateurs. I would contact someone in your area that has the equipment and experience to look at the job.
At your operating pressure I don't believe a bulged tube/tubes are detrimental other a place for scale to start forming.