Sealing chronically failing heat exchangers

摘要

At first sight no plant has serious problems with keeping Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers leak free. But a closer look at leakage indicators like floor stains, removed flange insulation, emergency repair damage and other indicators tell otherwise. Even when the majority of Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers run without problems, it are the remaining Exchangers that cause plant maintenance executives, operators, fire safety personnel and environment and safety officers severe head aches and sleepless nights. A study done in the United States revealed that 10% of all maintenance expenditure in the petrochemical and refining industries is spent on Heat Exchanger maintenance. A large portion of this is spent on (emergency) leak repair.