Retubing of evaporaters

[patrick1602]

Hi

can anyone help me out with informations regarding
evaporator retubing on CVGE Trane centrifugals chiller? Like drawings, etc.

Thanx

[sedgy]

hi patrick. the evaporator on a chiller is normally a < bundle< is this correct in your case?

[Magoo]

The biggest problem you will encounter is getting the old/ failed tubes out. You will need all the correct tools to do it properly.
Remember that you can plug and isolate approximately 10% of tube bundle and not suffer too mich performance loss.

[Tesla]

Removal should be simple enough from what I've done on a condenser. But like Magoo says you need the right gear - if you don't have the gear or experience leave it to the specialists or plug it. Inter-chillers is the specialist for this type of procedure in Ausie, even the OEMs get them in to do this type of work. I could see why you would like the drawings, I checked my manuals and found nothing sorry.

[binti]

Removal should be simple enough from what I've done on a condenser. But like Magoo says you need the right gear - if you don't have the gear or experience leave it to the specialists or plug it. Inter-chillers is the specialist for this type of procedure in Ausie, even the OEMs get them in to do this type of work. I could see why you would like the drawings, I checked my manuals and found nothing sorry.


The biggest problem you will encounter is getting the old/ failed tubes out. You will need all the correct tools to do it properly.
Remember that you can plug and isolate approximately 10% of tube bundle and not suffer too mich performance loss.


+1 for these two statements.

If its only a few tubes plugging will be a lot easier. Inter-Chillers can supply the pugs if you need em. Or get an engineering mob to fabricate some for you.
You need a tapered brass cone that will protrude approx 10mm out of the tube sheet once tapped in. (tapped in not whacked in. you only want to bed the brass into the copper.) Probably 2 or so inches in length. I've always used "super wick in" loctite on the brass plug. Don't forget to clean the inside of the tube with some wet and dry.
Also we usually drill and tap a 6-8mm hole in the end of the brass plug, The fat end. (used for removing the plug if you should ever need to)

For re tubing you need the right gear.

[Magoo]

from memory, which is very fuzzy at my age. The supplier of tooling is elliot Scott, or Scott Elliott, what ever they have all the collapsing tools and expanding stuff required, and re-rolling by hand equipment. The low fin and rifled tube is a real pain the arz.., so recommend a contractor to do the repair.
It will not be a short experience, so will take a long time. After tube removal clean out the lan grooves and use a wicking loctite when expanding, one end at a time. If the bundle has intermediate support sheets expand them before the last / second tube sheet.
Been there done that, as well built new HX's. Condenser and evaps.
Elliott what ever also supply the brass two peice plugs to blank failed tubes.
Hope this helps.

[Tesla]

The equipment I used was a special drill attachment with a type of internal trepanning cutter to cut one end. Then a hydrolic extraction and expanding toll for removal and sealing. I think the hydrolic kit cost around $40,000 plus all the extras (10 years ago). The company I mentioned earlier is into chillers and international, they send their trained specialists all over the world (lucky dudes). The other option would be an OEM manufacturer near to where you are. I must say it is not a cheap exercise. In reading some chiller coolers have welded tubes and there are high and low pressure depending on how much head of pressure above. Thanks binti for the good comment and patrick1602 please let us know where you go with this one.

[stufus]

Hey Patrick
I've been using this system for a couple of years now and have yet to have a repair fail .
Much easier than brass plugging.
In my opinion the way to go for repairs.
http://www.appliedcool.com/products/other_products/tube_plugs.htm
Cheers
Stu

[Grizzly]

Hey stufus.
Another useful link there.
Sorry the system won't let me give you any more rep points as yet.
All the same thanks.
Grizzly