Plugging of sulphur condenser tubes

[woodla]

I want to plug several tubes in a sulphur condenser but don't want to seal weld the plugs. Does anyone have experience with this? Any advice re potential problems with this method? Is there a standard length that the plug should be? What kind of fit is required? The tubes are 1 1/4" OD x 12 BWG thk. Operating conditions are as follows:-
Service - shell side - boiler feed water and steam
tube side - process gas and sulphur

pressure - shell side - 4 bar ga
tube side - 0.32 bar ga

temparature - shell side - 150 deg C
tube side - 320 deg C (hot end) to 164 deg C (cold end)

 

[srfish]

This came from one of my text books by Yokell. The typical "one-piece tapered plug is 2 1/2 to 3 inches long with a taper angle of about 5 1/2 degrees".

 

[EdStainless]

There are mechanical plugs, but first, what materials are involved? Tubes and tubesheets? do you want to be able to remove plugs and use the tubes again?
The mechanical pop-plugs are less likely to damage things that one piece drive plugs. There are two piece drive plugs also.

Remember to plug both ends, but the discharge end needs a small vent hole for pressure equalization.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Rust never sleeps
Neither should your protection

http://www.trent-tube.com/contact/Tech_Assist.cfm

 

[unclesyd]

Different approaches to you request. The first is high pressure plug that we use for high temperature salt.

http://www.torq-n-seal.com/index.html

This is a plug that we use a lot of as it allows one to plug both ends of an exchanger from one end. You can rent the equipment.

http://www.expansionseal.com/html/hepg1.htm

If you want to save the tube hole the pin and ring is the way to go. We eliminate the tube pressurizing by making sure the tube is ruptured before the final plug is installed

 

[EdStainless]

Thanks for the expansionseal link, that is what I was looking for yesterday.

I agree about tube venting Syd, but in many cases people are plugging tubes for temperature control or other flow related reasons, and the tubes are intact.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Rust never sleeps
Neither should your protection

http://www.trent-tube.com/contact/Tech_Assist.cfm

 

[woodla]

The tubesheet is 3" thick so 2 -1/2 " to 3" is quite adequate.

Both the tubes and tubesheets are carbon steel. The plugs are not to be pulled out and the tubes are not to be re-used. In fact, the condenser is to be replaced within the next year.

The torq-n-seal has promise for future use, however, I can't open the expansionseal link. Will try again.

Thanks all for the info.

 

[unclesyd]

Just go to:

http://www.expansionseal.com

Look at the Pop-A-Plug