Failures and leak inspection techniques of tube-to-tubesheet joints: A review
| dc.contributor.author | Thekkuden, Dinu Thomas | |
| dc.contributor.author | Mourad, Abdel-Hamid Ismail | |
| dc.contributor.author | Bouzid, Abdel-Hakim | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-09-24T04:34:02Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-09-24T04:34:02Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2021 | |
| dc.description | There are several reported incidents of heat exchanger failures that caused the collapse of heat exchangers before completing the estimated lifetime in the past. These premature failures of heat exchangers cause interruptions in production resulting in huge financial losses. Malfunction of heat exchangers in thermal power plants, oil refineries and nuclear power plants causes a drastic effect on productivity and profit. The cost incurred during the repair of a heat exchanger fouling is around 0.25% of the gross domestic product in many countries. A pie chart indicating the expense due to fouling alone in different countries is shown in Fig. 1 | |
| dc.description.abstract | The integral components of heat exchangers and in particular the tubes, tubesheets and tube-to-tubesheet joints have vital roles in the proper functioning of this equipment. Several frequent instances of heat exchanger premature failures at the tube-to-tubesheet joints reported in the past decades have resulted in a huge investment loss. As a counter measure, proper case studies of failure followed by maintenance are commonly practiced in the industry. Several accidents were originated from the failure of heat exchangers and therefore, failure analysis for the root cause is inevitable to take precautionary measures for avoiding similar catastrophes. Proper regular online and offline inspections of heat exchangers are useful to predict the effectiveness and performance of the heat exchanger. Many leak inspection techniques are currently in use to identify the leaks in and around the tube-to-tubesheet joints. Review articles addressing the importance of tube-to-tubesheet joints and problems are scanty. Therefore, this review discusses the major root causes of heat exchanger failures and recommended preventive remedial measures followed by the leak inspection techniques relevant to the heat exchanger tube-to-tubesheet joints. The information discussed in the article is promising for researchers and professionals working in the field of heat exchangers. Keywords Heat exchanger, tube-to-tubesheet joints, failure mechanisms, leak inspection and prevention. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Thekkuden, D. T., Mourad, A. H. I., & Bouzid, A. H. (2021). Failures and leak inspection techniques of tube-to-tubesheet joints: A review. Engineering Failure Analysis, 130, 105798. | |
| dc.identifier.doi | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2021.105798 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://repository.adu.ac.ae/handle/1/6507 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Elsevier | |
| dc.title | Failures and leak inspection techniques of tube-to-tubesheet joints: A review | |
| dc.type | Article |