The most critical piece of equipment in a heat exchanger or any shell and tube type process equipment is the tube itself. Due to its continuous operation the tube undergoes strenuous use. The tube heat transfer is the main task that it must be prepared for. ...
The Tube must be installed correctly in order to ensure long use of the process equipment. There are several methods for the installation of tubes on to the tube sheets

The steps of tube installation are as follows:
1) The Tube sheet hole is reamed as per the fit required against the tube.
2) The tube hole is grooved using grooving tools to create recesses for the tube to expand into.
3) The tube is inserted and the walls of the tube are expanded by using an electric tube expansion machine or a hydraulic tube expansion system
4) The tube end that is protruding is reduced in length and then the remaining portion is rolled on the tube sheet using a flaring tube roller.

This process is used for boiler tubes as well as for heat exchanger tubes. Where pneumatic standard in plant air supply is available, pneumatic tube expansion systems are used.
But to control the degree of tube expansion accurately a wattage based electric tube expansion system. The electric tube expansion system has control panels or a control unit to set the wattage, torque control and receive feedback of the process of expansion for tubes in heat exchangers.
Heat Exchanger and Condenser tubes with varied characteristics are covered in the vast portfolio of Tritorc's vast Tube Expander Series.
- Tube Sheet Thicknesses
- Tube Materials
- Tube Wall Thicknesses
- Inner Diameter
The tubes face several modes of failure such as the following:
- Thermal stresses
- Leakages
- Cross contamination with feed water
- Scale deposit build up
- pH level of water
Damage tubes are an obstacle to the efficient functioning of the Heat Exchanger. This can be a hazard to the safety of the personnel and equipment.
The leakages between tubes and tube sheet joints must be checked with a tube leak detection system and the tube itself must be checked for leakages with a tube leak detector. Both leak detection systems work on the basis of vacuum loss detection and a drop in pressure indicates leakages.
The same expansion tools or techniques used for heat exchanger tube expansion cannot be used for boiler tube expansion. Thus selecting the correct tool is a must, you can select the one suited for your needs from our product brochure. Expect the best Tube Expansion machine price.
When you ask for a quotation for the tube installation tools, be rest assured of receiving the latest price for the systems for tube expansion in heat exchangers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tube Rolling Controls and Drives

When a tube is rolled or expanded using tube expanders, the amount of rotations that are to be used for the operations and the controlled feed of the roller’s outward Expansion shall determine ehther the tube is effectively rolled against the tube sheet. To ensure this Tritorc offers its hydraulic tube expansion system along with it electric tube expansion drive control system.

The usage of the following tools and systems are necessary in conjunction with the hydraulic tube expansion system apart from single phase supply /9230v/110v or 415v (as per model).

  • Hydraulic Hoses:The hydraulic pumps driven by the electric motors transmit the pressurised oil to the Hydraulic expansion drive with ½” diameter (10 m) hoses. with SAE VG 68 Grade Hydraulic Oil.
  • Hydraulic Expansion Drive:The tool has interfaces with the hydraulic hoses with male nipple and female couplers for input and return line for hydraulic hoses. This tool use the hydraulic fuild to rotate the Tube expanders and the operator can thus control the stroke of the tube expander and the rotation of the tube expander and control the tube rolling process.

With the electric supply of single phase supply, The electric tube expansion system uses control of wattage to the electric drive in order to control the rotation of the motor and thus the rotation of the tube expander. The use of Electric Control Drives with Torque Control rotate the tube expanders and are the tools necessary to be used with the electric Tube expansion system.

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