Necessity of Heat Exchanger Maintenance and Repairs
Why is the repair and maintenance of heat exchangers essential?
In oil refining and chemical production, the fluids circulating through heat exchangers often contain deposits like coke, posing a risk of corrosion. Over time, these conditions lead to the accumulation of scale and rust in crucial parts such as heat exchange tubes and shells. This not only diminishes heat transfer efficiency but also reduces flow cross-sections, elevating resistance and potentially causing blockages. Moreover, dielectric corrosion may damage parts like the tube bundle and shell. Long-term operation-induced vibration and uneven heating can result in leaks at pipe expansion joints and other connections. These issues significantly impact the heat exchanger's normal operation, potentially leading to shutdowns. Hence, diligent daily maintenance, regular inspections, and timely repairs are imperative to ensure uninterrupted production.
What does the routine inspection of heat exchangers encompass?
Routine inspections involve checking for equipment leaks, evaluating the effectiveness of heat or cold insulation, inspecting deformations in uninsulated equipment and the condition of foundations or supporting hangers, and verifying if the equipment operates within safe pressure limits. For heat exchangers equipped with safety accessories, the functionality of these accessories is verified. The use of listening sticks aids in detecting abnormal sounds in the device, confirming the absence of mutual friction and vibration in the heat exchanger.
What preparations are needed before overhauling a heat exchanger?
1 Thoroughly understand the operation and gather necessary drawings and documents.
2 Assemble essential maintenance tools, test equipment, fixtures, etc.
3 Replace and clean the internal medium, ensuring compliance with safety inspection conditions.
What does a heat exchanger overhaul involve?
1. Conduct a macroscopic check of the casing, tube bundle, and components for corrosion, cracks, deformations, etc. Surface inspection and random eddy current inspections are performed as needed.
2. Examine the anti-corrosion layer for signs of aging or detachment.
3. Inspect for lining corrosion, bulging, wrinkles, and cracks.
4. Check the sealing surface and gaskets.
5. Inspect fasteners for damage. High-pressure bolts and nuts are individually cleaned and inspected, with non-destructive testing conducted if necessary.
6. Examine the foundation for sinking, tilting, damage, cracks, and ensure anchor bolts and horns are secure and undamaged.
In oil refining and chemical production, the fluids circulating through heat exchangers often contain deposits like coke, posing a risk of corrosion. Over time, these conditions lead to the accumulation of scale and rust in crucial parts such as heat exchange tubes and shells. This not only diminishes heat transfer efficiency but also reduces flow cross-sections, elevating resistance and potentially causing blockages. Moreover, dielectric corrosion may damage parts like the tube bundle and shell. Long-term operation-induced vibration and uneven heating can result in leaks at pipe expansion joints and other connections. These issues significantly impact the heat exchanger's normal operation, potentially leading to shutdowns. Hence, diligent daily maintenance, regular inspections, and timely repairs are imperative to ensure uninterrupted production.
What does the routine inspection of heat exchangers encompass?
Routine inspections involve checking for equipment leaks, evaluating the effectiveness of heat or cold insulation, inspecting deformations in uninsulated equipment and the condition of foundations or supporting hangers, and verifying if the equipment operates within safe pressure limits. For heat exchangers equipped with safety accessories, the functionality of these accessories is verified. The use of listening sticks aids in detecting abnormal sounds in the device, confirming the absence of mutual friction and vibration in the heat exchanger.
What preparations are needed before overhauling a heat exchanger?
1 Thoroughly understand the operation and gather necessary drawings and documents.
2 Assemble essential maintenance tools, test equipment, fixtures, etc.
3 Replace and clean the internal medium, ensuring compliance with safety inspection conditions.
What does a heat exchanger overhaul involve?
1. Conduct a macroscopic check of the casing, tube bundle, and components for corrosion, cracks, deformations, etc. Surface inspection and random eddy current inspections are performed as needed.
2. Examine the anti-corrosion layer for signs of aging or detachment.
3. Inspect for lining corrosion, bulging, wrinkles, and cracks.
4. Check the sealing surface and gaskets.
5. Inspect fasteners for damage. High-pressure bolts and nuts are individually cleaned and inspected, with non-destructive testing conducted if necessary.
6. Examine the foundation for sinking, tilting, damage, cracks, and ensure anchor bolts and horns are secure and undamaged.
