Does the tube-to-tube sheet joint need to undergo RT?
Thread Content
Our client is asking for RT – is that too much to ask? They are all ordinary shell-and-tube heat exchangers, at most of category two.
It depends on the operating environment and pressure rating of the equipment
That seems to be a fillet weld; can RT testing be done on it?
Doing 100% PT is sufficient; a level 1 pass is achieved
Since they’re paying that money, you have to meet the owner’s requirements. There are already a great many units that can perform RT, and this has nothing to do with the type of heat exchanger. The owner simply does not trust your manufacturing capabilities. In many cases, shutdowns for maintenance and replacement of heat exchangers are caused by problems at the joints between the tube sheets and the heat exchanger itself; therefore, it is reasonable for them to require RT testing at those locations on important heat exchangers
Generally, joint ventures have such requirements. But it’s not 100% applicable to RT fittings; domestically, they are usually not produced.
I don’t understand what the original poster means. If they are referring to the welding joints between pipes and tube sheets, using RT for inspection isn’t really a good idea. It should be done if it is a joint between pipes or a seam in the pipe sheet.
Normally, the butt joints of the tube sheet are inspected by ultrasonic testing, while the butt joints of the heat exchange tubes are subject to surface inspection and a ball test. But if the owner has special requests, there’s nothing that can be done – the customer is king!