Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Leakage of finned copper tube

Sir,
Three Chiller M/C installed at site and was idle for 2 year. after three year it is found in pressure testing that evaporator and condenser copper fined tube leaked in huge number. In two year only one type water circulated for Hydrotesting at starting and it was Ok at that time but after two year during staring of machine such problem came. Please give me the possible reason of leakage

Shashi kant Tiwari
Usha Martin - Jamshedpur, Bihar, India
2005

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Dear Mr Tiwari,

Heat exchangers on chilling plants have coils with aluminium fins and copper tube combination, causing the fin to corrode to white powder in no time.

If the atmosphere around your plant contains higher chloride or sulpur content this will surely accelerate the corrosion and you may want to look at an all copper condensing coil before you start up your chilling plant again.

Khozem Vahaanwala
Saify Ind

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

2005

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Do the heat exchangers have carbon steel tube sheets, if yes, leakage at joints should be expected. Better select SS tubes.

In case the copper tubes are thin, expect further reduction in thickness during expansion at the manufacturing stage. There are alternate type of fin tubes available. Try wire wound tubes in future.

Mahendra Chauhan
- Nashik, Maharashtra, India
2005