When plant chemistry is off due to leaking tubes in a condenser, typically plants will choose one of the following options:
- Run until your next scheduled outage or
- Go into an unplanned outage
The decision is normally made depending on the severity of the tube leak. In the case of a minor tube leak, chemicals can be added to offset the disparity in plant chemistry until the plant is able to reach a scheduled outage. Immediate shutdowns are usually required for more severe tube leaks. In either case, it’s imperative that you have a reliable tube plugging solution at your fingertips!
Choosing temporary friction fit tapered and elastomer/polymer plugs to repair leaking condenser tubes shouldn’t be an option. EPRI Condenser In-leakage1 report describes in detail the importance of choosing a reliable, permanent, and leak-tight tube plug for the life of the condenser and the costly mistake of using an unreliable plug. The report states, “the expense associated with controlling persistent water in-leakage as a result of tube and plug leaks may be many times the cost of even the most expensive plug”. Avoid the added and unnecessary cost by choosing a permanent tube plugging method!
Pop-A-Plug® is the reliable and permanent tube plug you need!
Pop-A-Plug Tube Plugs are pressure rated up to 7000 PsiG (483 BarG) and meet all guidelines contained in the EPRI Condenser In-Leakage report, offering a mechanical solution to seal leaking condenser tubes. Pop-A-Plug Tube Plugs also accommodate a broad range of tube sizes and materials. Their ability to outperform temporary plugs in low, medium, and high pressure applications make them a first choice for power plants looking to maximize plant uptime and prevent disparities in plant chemistry.
Pop-A-Plug Tube Plugs eliminate recurring tube leaks while offering the following benefits:
- Plug material matches tube material preventing thermal expansion and contraction issues and/or undesirable galvanic interaction
- Unique engineered breakaway controls installation force preventing damage to the tube, tubesheet, and surrounding tubes
- Maintain helium leak tight-seal to 1 x 10-10 cc/sec
- Ideal for use in applications with coated tubes and tubesheet
Readily available from large inventory with 24/7 emergency manufacturing capability
Want to See It in Action?
Request a Lunch & Learn Demo and see why our Pop-A-Plug Tube Plugging System is the preferred mechanical solution by power plants around the world!
Want to know more?
1 Condenser In-Leakage Guideline, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Palo Alto, CA, 2000, TR-112819 Page 7.