It's no secret that tube leaks or failing hydro is a huge headache for organizations. When it comes to tube installation, proper expansion can be the difference between an expensive repair bill and a long-lasting vessel.
Similar to a shell and tube heat exchanger, air coolers are made up of stacked finned tubes with header or water boxes on either end of the vessel. While air cooler maintenance can be challenging, there are a few tips and tricks that can help make the process easier.
Elliott Announces A Faster Way To Expand Small Heat Exchanger Tubes New and improved design expands tubes faster than any Elliott expander before, now at a [...]
With a wide variety of rolling motors on the market, choosing the right one can seem overwhelming. There are several factors to consider when selecting a rolling motor. Power source, torque control, RPM, torque range, and the style of the motor will vary depending on the application.
There are two motor power sources that are used for expanding tubes mechanically: electric rolling motors and pneumatic rolling motors. Determining what motor to use for a job will depend on operator preference, availability of electricity or air, and the application.
Expanding tubes after they have been welded can be frustrating for operators. If not rolled properly, tube material can build up and put stress on the weld. In extreme cases the tube material can build up so much that the expander can get stuck in the tube, delaying the job.
Tube Expanding is based on engineering principles, involving elasticity and plasticity, to compress the OD of the tube against a fixed container, such as rolling tubes into tube sheets, drums, ferrules or flanges. To assure a proper tube joint, the tube wall must be reduced by a predetermined percentage. The following chart can be used for determining the correct tube wall reduction.
Before you can start rolling, you will need to select the right expander for the job. Tube OD, and Wall/BWG will determine the size of the expander. However, there are some other factors to consider, such as tube projection, roll length, reach requirements, space constraints, and whether it’s minimum or average wall tubing.
Firetube boiler tubes consist of an expanded and beaded tube end. The method for achieving a bead has advanced over the years to include both hand beading and single roll beading expanders. In order to ensure a proper bead, there are several steps that need to take place before expansion can occur.
In general, you want to roll to the lowest wall reduction possible where a tight tube to tube sheet joint can be achieved. The harder the material the less wall reduction required to obtain a tube joint. You should always consult the manufacturer of the heat transfer vessel for specific information before undertaking any maintenance procedures.
