AET type exchanger test ring

[Jignesh Patel]

Dear Friends,

 

I have seen few heat exchangers on this forum. I am an end user of heat exchangers in refinery. My query is related to test rings of exchangers.

 

One of our new units has AET type exchangers [pull through type]. These exchangers have a floating tubesheet [FTS] with bolt holes and the floating head cover [FHC] is directly bolted to the floating tubesheet. The problem with this is that we can’t carry out shell test using a conventional test ring due to several bolt holes on the floating tubesheet. Conventional AES exchangers have backing rings pressing the FHC against the FTS.

 

I checked TEMA website and it says, test rings for such exchangers are possible and the bolt holes in the tubesheet need to be temporarily plugged. It also says refer to 4.13 (3) of TEMA. Unfortunately we don’t have the latest edition of TEMA.

 

Does any one have experience with test rings [for shell test] for AET type exchangers? I would appreciate a generic drawing / scheme showing how to carry  out shell test of such exchangers.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Thanks and regards,

 

Jignesh

Kuwait

 

For your virus protection, any attachments should be considered uncontrolled unless they are identified in the text. The sender does not accept liability for any virus introduced by this email or any attachment.

 

[Tirumala B N Tagore]

Sub: Test ring arrangement for AET type Hxr  shell side test  to verify the Tube to tube sheet joint integrity

This is not unusual. You need to use gland follower + gland ring set the same way as done for  S type to obtain  leak tight joint on OD of  floating tube sheet . Additionally the Bolt holes of  floating tube sheet need to be provided with plugs . This can be achived  by using Bolts +  rubber O ring or  Flat rubber ring gasket  placed in between the bolt head & rear side ( shell side ) face of  floating tube sheet .In this method the bolts need to be placed in to the bolt holes from rear side of  Floating tube sheet and  you can tighten the nut on to the bolt from tube side of  tube sheet i.e., from front side. The only problem is that  in the  event of  leak even at one bolt hole , we need to remove the gland ring+ follower and  attend.

In some instances  people use  solid rubber cones attached to stud , place the stud entry from rear end so that conical rubber seats on to the bolt hole on rear side of  tube sheet , tighetn the stud using a hex nut from front side. Care should be excersized  not to damage the bonding of  stud to solid rubber cone  while tightening the stud .

At present I do not possses the sketches  showing the above  arrangements. But these are  very normal practices in the industry.

 In case any more information is needed one can contact me on my mobile +966562743138 on Thursdays and  fridays.

Regards,

Tagore

 

[JP]

Dear Mr Tagore,

 

Thanks a lot. I could visualize the way u suggested to test these type exchangers. My only worry is the test pressure for these hx. Some of these hx have a shell test pressure of 1000 psig and I am not sure if the rubber gasket will work. But will surely try to work out a solution accordingly.

 

Thanks a lot for your reply.

 

Regards,

Jignesh

<br

[Tirumala B N Tagore]

It works sir
It is unusual to adopt floating tube sheet type hxr for more than 70 bar(g). In such a case you should have the tube to tube sheet weld  as Strength welded joint and  you do not need to have so much trouble with test ring + gland follower etc  since you can ensure the integrity of  TTP  weld joint by halogen/ Helium test.
If you can give me the fluids on both sides and  design parameters,  some  other  options can be there.
Regards,
tagore

[alireza alavi]

Dear Jignesh ,

 

hope the attached file help you

 

good luck

Alireza

Jignesh Patel <nace...@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Friends,

 

I have seen few heat exchangers on this forum. I am an end user of heat exchangers in refinery. My query is related to test rings of exchangers.

 

One of our new units has AET type exchangers [pull through type]. These exchangers have a floating tubesheet [FTS] with bolt holes and the floating head cover [FHC] is directly bolted to the floating tubesheet. The problem with this is that we canâEURO(tm)t carry out shell test using a conventional test ring due to several bolt holes on the floating tubesheet. Conventional AES exchangers have backing rings pressing the FHC against the FTS.

 

I checked TEMA website and it says, test rings for such exchangers are possible and the bolt holes in the tubesheet need to be temporarily plugged. It also says refer to 4.13 (3) of TEMA. Unfortunately we donâEURO(tm)t have the latest edition of TEMA.

 

Does any one have experience with test rings [for shell test] for AET type exchangers? I would appreciate a generic drawing / scheme showing how to carry  out shell test of such exchangers.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Thanks and regards,

 

Jignesh

Kuwait

 

For your virus protection, any attachments should be considered uncontrolled unless they are identified in the text. The sender does not accept liability for any virus introduced by this email or any attachment.

 

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[JP]

Thanks for your inputs Mr Tagore and Mr Alireza.

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