Getting Conversant With Heat Exchanger Tube Plugs

By Daphne Bowen


Designers, engineers and manufactures of heat exchanger devices are the people responsible for selection of proper materials for the process. Following that, they should consider a number of factors in the selection process. The three main aspects influencing the choice are operation and maintenance processes, the design of the materials and the water quality. Below is an elaboration of heat exchanger tube plugs.

On water quality, first consider the amount of sulfide, chloride, oxygen, residual chlorine and manganese in the water. Other things that you should be wary of include pH, sedimentation level and temperatures. Some elements are found in high levels in these coolers. The kind of material selected to use in making the devices is determined by the chloride levels.

Oxygen that has dissolved in water makes the tubes corrode faster. This is why it is important to add substances to bring down the oxygen levels in water. Copper alloy tubes are not very effective when the water has high oxygen concentration. In addition, they are not resistant to dirty water when sulfate is present. The best plugs to go for in such a situation are the ones made from titanium and stainless steel.

When chlorine is mixed with water, the end product is very corrosive. Since chlorine is the only product which performs well in purification of water, its use is extensive. It is upon the selectors of tube plugs to think of ways to reduce the bad effects hypochlorite causes. One of the ways is adding suitable compounds into the H2O to reduce this effect. The effects are far-reaching if the H2O temperature is high.

Less pH indicates the presence of strong acids. These compounds have high corrosive powers. In addition, alkaline solutions have a similar effect. Ensuring these compounds are not in high concentration in the water can effectively address the situation. The pH should be kept as near neutral as possible.

Iron and manganese cause a change in the color of water during deposition. There are some plugs which have no resistance when the H2O flowing therein is fresh. Again, the copper ones are very effective. Basically, the properties of the water that will be flowing through them should be taken seriously when purchasing the heat exchanger plugs.

Sedimentation process and absorption of mass are very crucial aspects in thermal heat transfer. Maximum protection is offered if an inner lining is formed on the tube plug. Thermal transfer is controlled and the flow rate in the section. There is more resistance offered to the product flow. This is known as fouling factor. The formulas put forth to calculate it are not so effective and many times the figure is just an approximate.

Many people go for cheap products because they do not want to spend much. What they forget is that the cost of maintenance and operating such devices will cost them a lot in the end.




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