Blown a Gasket!

[Grizzly]

Hi guys.
We have all heard or used the above statement and there are many types and ways this can happen.
I have posted a few pictures of a set of shell and tube gaskets that have been well and truely blown!
The repair of which I was recently involved in.
As this is not an everyday occurance they may be of interest to some?

Enjoy!
Grizzly

[al]

Feck, that brings back memories!

[Magoo]

Unless I am missing something, there seems to be partition separation problem comparing primary and return end partition. Also the second pic., right hand side top looks a bit rusticated.

[Grizzly]

Hi Guys.
Al, reading between the lines you've been there as well eh!
I smile at the thought of where you would come across the above.
Magoo,
Thanks for your interesting comment.
Yes there are various issues with the way this particular plant runs causing ultimately the gaskets to give way.
In short, (because I doubt the full answer is of interest to the guys?)
The chiller runs on glycol cooling to around -1.5c.
At certain times this glycol has been observed to be boiling!
With the chiller locked out on LWT High (Sensor out of range @ above 75c)
R22 at 75c = plus 400psi.
It does not take a lot to work out what happens after that.

I love the term rusticated! You guys do have a funny way of phrasing things.

However the baffle plate and evap sealing faces are sound.

Sadly there is a huge pressure to produce at all costs on this production line.

Leaving those concerned with no option sometimes but to carry on regardless.
So I don't this will be the last time this happens, well at least until January 2015.
Grizzly