Long Term Outdoor Storage for Heat Exchangers

[nwitt]

I've got 12-15 heat exchangers on order for delivery between first of October 2008 and end of January 2009. Due to unforseen circumstances, the project to install these exchangers has been delayed until Spring 2010. My question is, what procedures/practices should be used to protect this equipment from corrosion for the next 12-18 months? The equipment will be stored outdoors in the Pittsburgh, PA area.

 

[ash9144]

Hook up nitrogen hose, put pressure gauge and vent valve on top of exchanger. Purge exchanger then close vent and maintain pressure of 5 psig.

 

[SJones]

http://www.standard.no/imaker.exe?id=1494

Inform the supplier of the need to change from short term to medium term storage and state the storage conditions as warranty issues may rear up. The supplier should then incorporate the necessary preservation requirements in the equipment documentation.

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04

 

[EdStainless]

What are the materials of construction? Are these complete exchangers or just tube bundles?
If they are exchangers then providing for full nitrogen purge is the safest thing to do.
You may also need to provide protection from the elements. They will need to be blocked up off of the ground and well supported. They will need to be covered in such a way to not only protect them but prevent the build up of snow and water on top of them.
The supplier needs to provided recommendations for such storage.

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Plymouth Tube

 

[unclesyd]

I wouldn't solely depend on the manufacturer of the Hx's for advice. I would call Cortec and get a technician/engineer and present your problem.
At one time we kept around 20 spare CS tube bundles in storage. We used Cortec material along with bagging and boxing to keep off the corrosion.

http://www.cortecvci.com/index2.php

 

[gr2vessels]

In a similar case, we worked out with the supplier a strategy which worked well. I assume the exchangers are made of carbon steel if you mention corrosion.
After hydro, we dried 100% the exchangers by vacuum drying method, then replaced the vacuum with Nitrogen around 3-5 psi and locked the valve. Hanged a logbook on the valve and hooked a small bottle of Nitrogen to the valve. Twice a week someone checked the pressure gauge and let some more Nitrogen in the exchangers, if needed. This was also followed up on the barge transport to the site, particularly to prevent the ingrease of salty air on the deck (we were afraid the exchangers would expand in the sun and the 5 psi pressure would turn in vacuum...). The N2 bottles were only removed when the exchangers got bolted down on site. Inside perfect new after 11 months of storage and transport.
cheers,
gr2vessels

 

[nwitt]

Thanks for all the feedback. We have elected to prime coat the external of all exchangers and maintain a nitrogen purge for the duration of the storage period.

Thanks again.