Maintenance starts at specification. If the tube side will foul, specify a removable cover and straight tubes. If the shell side will foul, specify a removable bundle (U-tube or floating head) and plot space to pull it.
Cleaning
- Mechanical: rods, brushes, hydroblast — tube-side of straight tubes.
- Chemical: circulation of a qualified cleaner compatible with MOC and gaskets.
- Bundle pull: shop or site cleaning of the shell side on removable bundles.
Gaskets and bolting
Channel and pass-partition gaskets are wear items. Follow the gasket type on the drawing. Re-torque after the first heat-up only if the procedure allows it — do not invent a torque from a blog.
Tube leaks
Plugging is a temporary or semi-permanent repair within the limits of remaining area and vibration. Explosive plugging vs mechanical plugs is a site procedure. After enough plugs, retubing or a new bundle is an engineering decision.
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