Boiler tube removal method and apparatus

摘要

A method and apparatus is provided for removing the severed end-portions (20, 24, 26) of boiler tubes installed and retained in a boiler header(28) without consequential boiler header metal damage and in a manner whereby a compression gap of uniform width is machined throughout the length and thickness of each retained boiler tube end-portion (24) selected for removal, the machined boiler tube end-portion (24) is subsequently compressed to significantly close the machined compression gap and reduce the tube end cross-sectional circumference, and the compressed tube end (24) is withdrawn longitudinally from engagement with the boiler header tube-mounting bore.