EXCHANGER PLUGS FROM FLANGE MATERIAL

[khalidkhattak]

We have a spare BLIND FLANGE of SA-182 F51 UNS NO. S-31803 (DUPLEX). Material of tubes of E-2002/E-3002 and E-3801 is A-789 UNS No. S-31803 that seem compatible with BLIND FLANGE material. Can we use Blind Flange material to prepare plugs for our exchangers?

 

[metengr]

What is the equivalent of E-2002/E-3002 tube material designation? Also, what is your tubesheet material ?

 

[EdStainless]

The same ally, Yes. Good of plugs, maybe not.
Why don't you just save the flange and buy a bar of 2205 to make your plugs. I just hate cutting small items out of large pieces of material. You never know how uniform the properties are.
I presume that these plugs will be welded into the tubes? Matching the tubesheet material may be more important than matching the tubes.

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Corrosion never sleeps, but it can be managed.

http://www.trenttube.com/Trent/tech_form.htm

 

[stanweld]

Assuming that your exchangers were built to ASME Section VIII, Div. 1 and repairs are made to NBIC or API 510, you may manufacture the plugs from the SA-182 blind flange material. I assume that you are manufacturing tapered plugs and seal welding them to the tubes.

 

[khalidkhattak]

METENGR.. The material of Tube sheet is A-765-2, E-2002 and E-3002 basically the tags of Heat Exchangers.

EDSTAINLESS... Basically we are at the verge of Turnaround.. 2205 material bars are on order but i think ETA could not be possible before Turnaround.



Yes STANWELD... We will seal welding the plugs with Tube weld joint. We will not weld the plug directly to the tube sheet.


CAN WE USE DUPLEX BOLTS TO MACHINE PLUGS?

 

[khalidkhattak]

OH ONE THING MORE METENGR... Tube sheet material is A-765-2 but it is overlayed with S31803 material.

 

[metengr]

khalidkhattak;
What type of repair code or Standard are you required to follow, or are you on your own, meaning you can repair this heat exchanger with no involvement from local authorities or an Inspector?

If you are required to follow a Construction Code or the National Board Inspection Code or API 510, you need to have a Code approved material to machine tapered plugs - forged duplex bar or the blind flange (last option).

 

[khalidkhattak]

Thanx METENGR for immediate reply...
We are repairing by our own means,However from all the above discussion BLIND FLANGE material seems to be acceptable for plugs. Does API 510 allows forged flange material for plug material??????

 

[stanweld]

khalidkhattak,
While API 510 does not specifically address your situation, it states, "When repairs or alteratiosn have to be performed, the applicable requirements of the ASME Code, the codes to which the vessels were built, or other specific pressure vessel rating codes shall be followed."
Whereas the SA-182 material is permitted by ASME Section VIII, you may use it to plug the tubes, regardless if it is currently in the condition of a blind flange or bar stock.

As metengr stated your best bet is using SA-182 UNS S31803 forged bar stock and machining the tapered plugs therefrom.