Method of plugging a heat exchanger tube and plug therefor

摘要

A plug for sealing the open end of a tube located in an opening in a tube sheet of a heat exchanger is described along with a method of installing the plug. The plug is comprised of a generally cylindrical metallic body of ductile material that is inserted into the open end of the tube at the tube sheet. The body carries one or more resilient seal rings and has a longitudinally extending blind central opening in the body. A body of pressure transmitting material, such as polyethylene is located in the body and an explosive charge is located in a longitudinally extending central opening in the body of pressure transmitting material. The explosive charge, when detonated, expands the metallic body of the plug and the resilient seal ring into sealing engagement with the tube. A method of plugging a leaky metal tube in a heat exchanger tube bundle and tube sheet structure where the tubes extend through the tube sheet by inserting a metallic plug having an explosive charge inside the plug and a resilient seal on the outside of the plug into the tube and detonating the explosive charge.