When it comes to the maintenance of heat exchange in condensers, shell, and tube boilers, industries have to depend on tube plugging solutions. Suitable pressure tube plugs deliver the mechanical, industrial-grade tube plugging solution. When industry-grade, robust tube plugs are used, they can deal with various welding-related heat challenges. When a leak-proof helium seal is used, high-pressure tube plugs can enhance its durability. When compared with tapered plugs, tube plugs will not expel or discharge, thereby offering a long-term or permanent solution.
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What are Tube Plugs?
Tube plugs are helpful and easy-to-reach devices utilized to seal particular tubes noticed in heaters and boilers. Incorporating a tube plug is vital when specific tubes in the bundle begin to leak. The essential step in such a scenario is to isolate the tube and restrict or limit the flow of liquid or gas via the tube bundles. Tube plugs are incorporated into the concerning tube and thereby obstruct the liquid or gas flow. Based on the situation, such seals are done either permanently or temporarily.
Why Utilize Tube Plugs?
One might wonder about using tube plugs when a damaged pipe can be replaced with a new one. To understand the use of tube plugs, it is necessary to get an insight into the tube bundles intertwined densely found in heat exchangers, condensers, boilers, etc. If repair or replacement had to be done, the professional had to disassemble the whole unit, which is time-consuming and expensive.
Practical Solution
Once the trouble-causing pipe is identified, the simple installation of tube plugs will do the work. Industrial heat exchangers are equipped with different tube potentials. Therefore, adding one or more tube plugs won’t disrupt the efficiency of the entire bundle. Henceforth, using tube plugs is a practical and cost-effective solution.
Why is Correct Installation Vital?
When tube plugs are correctly installed, they can effectively sustain the life of heat exchangers and boilers used in industries. When tube plugs are not set up correctly, several problems can arise.
Formation of New Leaks
In case the tubes are not cleaned properly or the plugs don’t insert correctly, there can be the formation of new leaks, which can cause further trouble.
Damage Tubes
When the plugs are forcefully inserted, there is a chance of tube sheet coating or the tube itself getting damaged. The bad news is such damages can’t be replaced or repaired.
Over-Pressurization
The problem of over-pressurization pops up when tube plugs are not vented before inserting. This can lead to problems like leaks, explosions, and damaging heat exchangers and boilers.
Conclusion
From the above analysis, it is clear that tube plugs are vital devices in the industrial sector. Several tools and equipment like boilers, condensers, heat exchangers, and so on utilize the benefits of tube plugs. Inserting tube plugs are often the permanent solution limiting the liquid and gas flow. This is further helpful in averting accidents. But, tube plugs must be installed correctly by professionals, or else additional problems will arise.