The testing of tube and shell heat exchangers for tube failure

摘要

1,134,411. Self-aligning connector. FOSTER WHEELER Ltd. 17 Jan., 1966 [22 Jan., 1965], No. 3019/65. Heading F2G. [Also in Division G1] In a method of testing for tube failure in a heat exchanger, a self-aligning connector 10 for providing access to a tube header 45 within a shell 26 of a tubular heat exchanger comprises an end part 16, which can be passed through a hole in the shell after removal of a closure and which can be coupled to a hole in the header after removal of a closure therefrom, another end part 14 which can be connected in a hole in the shell, an intermediate sleeve 12 provided with part-spherical surfaces 18 and 38 mating with complementary surfaces 18a and 38a respectively on the end parts, and 0-ring seals 36 and 50 between the mating surfaces. The part-spherical surface 38 of the sleeve 12 is formed by a ring 37 which is axially slidable on the sleeve so that the effective length of connector is self-adjusting. Each 0-ring seal 36 or 50 is clamped in grooves between interthreaded end-part members 20 and 32 or 48 and 52. As illustrated, end part 16 is threadedly engaged at 43 with the hole in the header and end part 14 coupled to the shell by a bayonet joint 22 and 29. Alternatively, end part 14 may be screwed to the shell. Similarly, the end part 16 may be connected to the header by a bayonet joint. As a further alternative, said end parts may be welded to the shell and header respectively. After connection of the connector to both shell and head, a tube failure of the heat exchanger may be tested for by pressurizing the fluid in the shell and observing for leakage by passing an introscope through the connector.