York Model YSDACBS3CGA Condenser Tube Sub-Cooler Freeze Rupture

[rickyccong]

Recently done an Eddy Current Tubing Examination on York Model YSDACBS3CGA and found Condenser Sub-Cooler fourteen (14) tubes with CRACK indication. Extracting those tubes were difficult and managed to extract about 36" length and found transverse crack on the tube land location. Suspected those tubes have Freeze Rupture that Bulged the tubes.

If forced hydraulic extraction might cause distortion to the two (2) baffle plates or breakage of tubes. If such happen than replacement of tubes could not take place. If plug all those fourteen (14) tubes on the sub-cooler what are the consequences.

Please provide the expertise advices on such matter with highly appreciated.

[RANGER1]

rickyccong ,

It would depend on how many tubes you have as to performance drop of subcooler .

Tubes of course can be plugged off ( in a number of ways ).

[Magoo]

The condenser tubes would have been expanded internaly to stop them rattling and wearing through, so when extracted look swollen at the support sheet position. This appearance can happen if over expanded and extremely difficult to remove, or under expanded they can crack due to movement. The next problem is crevis corrossion at the support sheets due to contaminets/ acid levels in refrigerant.
You can successfully plug 10% of total number of tubes if that is the way you want to go.

[rickyccong]

Most Appreciated the Reply - The Sub-Cooler have only fourteen (14) tubes with Freeze Rupture Bulged, if plugged all the tubes what were happen that's my question??
Never happen that the tubes are expanded internally on the Baffle Plate to stop tube from rattling and wearing. Tube plugging ten (10) allowed, if not mistaken it's under the TEMA requirement.

[Magoo]

You get minimal sub-cooling, generally the sub cooling bunch of tubes are encased in a captive sheild so that all the liquid leaving condenser passes through the bunched pipes.
What would concern me would be why the hell has that particular section of tubes leaked.
Lack of sub cooling will derate the evaporator performance.

[rickyccong]

Many Thanks Magoo - In fact the Evaporator have eight (8) cracked tubes and twelve (12) tubes with wall loss of more than sixty (60) percent (%) but extracted all tubes no problem.
Maybe I am too expensive another vendor was engaged to extract the Condenser Sub-Cooler side the fourteen (14) tubes only managed 7 tubes out - now unable to install the tubes back, believe the Baffle Plates distorted. Now intend to plug of the 13 tubes one tube managed successfully.