Heat exchanger pressure buildup
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Gentlemen, I have a question: it is said that heat exchangers should not be overpressured. Our device is used to check whether a heat exchanger has internal leaks. One of our experienced technicians uses this method: he performs cold-path cutting, opens the drain valve. For the shell side, he closes the outlet valve and opens the inlet valve; in this way, if there is a leak in the shell side, fluid will naturally flow out through the drain valve on the tube side. This is easy to understand, but what I want to ask is: if the outlet valve on the shell side is closed and the inlet valve is open, isn’t that considered backpressure? Why does it seem to go against the operating procedures for the heat exchanger?
Generally, when testing heat exchangers for leaks, this method can be used as long as the pressure is not higher than the design pressure. Laws are rigid, but people are alive! Adapting one’s work can achieve twice the result with half the effort!
The fact that a heat exchanger cannot be pressurized means that it operates normally; otherwise, pressure would lead to a reduced heat exchange efficiency and uneven heat distribution. The experienced workers use a gas-tightness test for this purpose, which is used to detect leaks; the test pressure should not be too high.