Tube to tube sheet connections
Tube to tube sheet connections
(OP)
Experts,
We have a non-asme stamped air-ejector condenser located at a customer's facility that has numerous leaks at the tube to tube sheet connections.
The tube attachment is nothing that I have ever seen before (see attached photo). I'm assuming that this acts as some kind of a compression fitting to create a seal at the tube.
Maintenance personnel at the plant tried to tighten several of these fittings in an attempt to stop the leaks to no avail.
Has anyone seen this type of tube to tube sheet connection before and if so what do you suggest to stop the leaks?
All leaks are located at the interface of the OD of the tubes to the ID of the threaded fitting to the tube sheet.
Thanks in advance for your insight.
numberfive
We have a non-asme stamped air-ejector condenser located at a customer's facility that has numerous leaks at the tube to tube sheet connections.
The tube attachment is nothing that I have ever seen before (see attached photo). I'm assuming that this acts as some kind of a compression fitting to create a seal at the tube.
Maintenance personnel at the plant tried to tighten several of these fittings in an attempt to stop the leaks to no avail.
Has anyone seen this type of tube to tube sheet connection before and if so what do you suggest to stop the leaks?
All leaks are located at the interface of the OD of the tubes to the ID of the threaded fitting to the tube sheet.
Thanks in advance for your insight.
numberfive





RE: Tube to tube sheet connections
Nasir
Welding Engineer
DESCON ENGINEERING LIMITED
PAKISTAN
RE: Tube to tube sheet connections
Regards,
Mike
RE: Tube to tube sheet connections
I'm not sure which side is the inlet and which side is the outlet but the change in tube to tube sheet connections definitely follow the flow of the water as there are multiple passes in the heat exchanger.
numberfive
RE: Tube to tube sheet connections
Never seen any ferrules that look like that though. A puzzler.
RE: Tube to tube sheet connections
Note the tube sheet holes where you have the threaded ends are probably threaded too, so if this is the area that is leaking, I would remove all the tubes from that section, resurface those tube holes, install new tubes with external ferrules on the side where the threaded ends are located, thereby, you would be consistent with NBIC.
RE: Tube to tube sheet connections
RE: Tube to tube sheet connections
I would agree that removing the existing ferrules, cleaning and installing new ones (properly lubricated) is the best option.
Thanks for the input!
numberfive
RE: Tube to tube sheet connections