Method and apparatus for removing a metallic plug from a tube by simultaneously heating and stretching the plug.

摘要

A method and an apparatus (45) for removing metallic plugs (1) from conduits (3) such as the heat exchanger tubes (3) in a nuclear steam generator. In such tubes (3), plugs (1) formed from a cylindrical shell (7) of Inconel are radially expanded in sealing engagement with the open end of an Inconel tube (3) mounted in a tubesheet (5). The method and the apparatus (45) of the invention remove such plugs (1) by heating the shell (7) while applying a tensile force along the longitudinal axis of the plug shell (7) sufficient to elongate it.