Method for removing the upper head of YKC round-hole block graphite heat exchanger
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Recently, it was necessary to disassemble and clean a graphite heat exchanger. I tried to lift the upper cover using a gantry crane and a manual hoist, but it didn’t budge at all. I would like to ask how to lower the upper cover of a YKC graphite heat exchanger without damaging the seals of the heat exchange elements inside it. PS: The heat exchanger is installed vertically.
Can’t you ask the manufacturer directly about this?
It has been taken back to the factory in part. This unit is still in operation; the upper head needs to be removed so that the tube coils can be simply cleaned of scale before it can be used again, so it needs to be lifted at the work station
This post was last edited by Wang Genrong on 2020-5-30 at 17:17. Steps for the on-site disassembly of the upper head of the YKC graphite heat exchanger: 1. Carry out the shutdown procedures in accordance with the operational guidelines. 2. Carry out the work of draining and replacing system materials as well as cleaning. 3. Confirm that the system valves close reliably, and verify that there are no residual toxic or harmful substances inside the heat exchanger. 4. Remove the pipes connecting the head of the heat exchanger, and verify once again that there are no residual toxic or harmful substances inside the heat exchanger. 5. Remove the heat exchanger compensation spring. 6. Remove the metal cover. 7. Remove the fastening bolts of the “O”-ring gland. 8. Remove the “O”-ring compression gland. 9. Remove the “O”-ring seal. 10. Remove rust, debris, and other impurities between the flange on the steel shell and the graphite head. 11. Use a steel clamp with lifting rings (a specialized simple tool) to clamp the graphite upper head; when tightening the bolts, be careful to use appropriate force, as if it is too loose the graphite upper head may slip and get damaged. 12. Use lifting tools to lift the graphite upper head and place it gently on a padded, safe, and stable surface. 13. Remove the flexible PTFE gasket between the head on the graphite and the graphite heat exchange block. Congratulations! At this point, the upper head of your graphite heat exchanger has been removed, and the next cleaning step can be carried out. If there are still things you don’t understand, you can contact me directly by phone.
Find a round steel bar with a comparable diameter, place it in the hole, determine the balance point, and lift it using a crane
The graphite heat exchangers produced by this Nantong Graphite Equipment Factory are really strange – there is glue on both sides of the gasket between the head and the components, so it’s impossible to lift them; one has to pull apart the gasket located between some of the components inside in order to be able to lift them
Was graphite putty used on the sealing surface? If that’s really the case, it only means you’re lucky – you must have run into a fake version. :lol:D