OPERATING & MAINTENANCE MANUAL _ Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger
17
E-4.32
CLEANING
PRECAUTIONS
(1) Tubes should not be cleaned by blowing through individual tubes since this heats the tube and may
result in severe expansion strain, deformation of the tube, or loosening of the tube-to-tubesheet joint.
(2) When mechanically cleaning a tube bundle, care should be exercised to avoid damaging the tubes.
(3) Cleaning compounds must be compatible with the metallurgy of the exchanger.
E-4.4
TUBE EXPANDING
A suitable tube expander should be used to tighten a leaking tube joint. Care should be taken to ensure
that tubes are not over expanded.
E-4.5
GASKET REPLACEMENT
Gaskets and gasket surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned and should be free of scratches and other
defects. Gaskets should be properly positioned before attempting to retighten bolts. It is recommended
that when a heat exchanger is dismantled for any cause, it be reassembled with new gaskets. This will
tend to prevent future leaks and/or damage to the gasket seating surfaces of the heat exchanger.
Composition gaskets become dried out and brittle so that they do not always provide an effective seal
when reused. Metal or metal jacketed gaskets, when compressed initially, flow to match their contact
surfaces. In so doing they are work hardened and, if reused, may provide an imperfect seal or result in
deformation and damage to the gasket contact surfaces of the exchanger.
Bolted joints and flanges are designed for use with the particular type of gasket specified. Substitution of
a gasket of different construction or improper dimensions may result in leakage and damage to gasket
surfaces. Therefore, any gasket substitutions should be of compatible design. Any leakage at a gasketed
joint should be rectified and not permitted to persist as it may result in damage to the gasket surfaces.
Metal Jacketed type gaskets are widely used. When these are used with a tongue and groove joint
without a nubbin, the gasket should be installed so that the tongue bears on the seamless side of the
gasket jacket. When a nubbin is used, the nubbin should bear on the seamless side.
E-4.6
DIAPHRAGM
INSTALLATION
PROCEDURE
(1) Position diaphragm and tighten to remove all voids between diaphragm and component to which it
will be welded. This may be accomplished by bolting the cover in place, by a series of clamps or any other
means that guarantees that the diaphragm will not move during final bolt-up and crack the weld.
(2) Make the diaphragm to component weld and liquid penetrant inspect.
(3) Install cover and tighten studs to required torque or tension.
(4) Liquid penetrant inspect weld again after tightening studs.
E-4.7
SPARE AND
REPLACEMENT PARTS
The procurement of spare or replacement parts from the manufacturer will be facilitated if the correct
name for the part, as shown in Section 1, Table N-2, of these Standards is given, together with the serial
number, type, size, and other information from the name plate. Replacement parts should be purchased
from the original manufacturer.
E-4.8
PLUGGING OF TUBES
In U-tube heat exchangers, and other exchanger of special design, it may not be feasible to remove
and replace defective tubes. Defective tube may be plugged using commercially available tapered plugs
with ferrules or tapered only plugs which may or may not be seal welded. Excessive tube plugging may
result in reduced thermal performance, higher pressure drop, and/or mechanical damage. It is the user's
responsibility to remove plugs and neutralize the bundle prior to sending it to a shop for repairs.
- As per TEMA 2019 10th ED SECTION 4, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance -
APPENDIX-4