Understanding Heat Exchanger Reading 02

E-4.8 PLUGGING OF TUBES
In U-tube heat exchangers, and other exchangers of special design, it may
not be feasible to remove and replace defective tubes. Defective tubes may
be plugged using commercially available tapered plugs with ferrules or
tapered only plugs which may or may not be seal welded. Excessive tube
plugging may result in reduced thermal performance, higher pressure drop,
and/or mechanical damage. It is the user's responsibility to remove plugs and
neutralize the bundle prior to sending it to a shop for repairs.
Charlie Chong/ Fion Zhang