Heat Exchanger Refurbishment


National Engineering Group in Australia refurbish heat exchangers used in Alumina production.

 

The process involves cleaning, machining and preparing tube sheets, and internal baffle plates, each with 1,000s of holes.

 

The process is highly time and labour-intensive and NEG wished to find a way to reduce the time and cost spent per unit.

 

Approaching HMT distributor Sheffield Group for a more efficient solution, NEG were advised to use a VersaDrive® Impact Reamer driven by Impact Wrenches.

 

Tube Sheets – 1,000 holes per sheet

Original method:

-Ream with non-VersaDrive® rotary driven reamer
-Time taken: 2 days (4 shifts) = 48hrs
-Tooling required = 3 Reamers minimum

 

VersaDrive® Impact Reamer method:

-Ream with VersaDrive® Reamer driven by Impact Wrench
-Time taken: 6hrs (less than 1 shift)
-Tooling required = 1 Reamer for 4 tube sheets


Results

The VersaDrive method saved 42hrs per job!
Plus with the original reamers costing $1,000 per reamer,
Up to $5,000 could be saved in tooling cost for each job

 

Baffle Plates – 3,000 - 4,000 holes

Original method:

-De-burr with Carbide Burrs in a Die Grinder
-Time taken: 10 days (20 shifts) = 240hrs
-Tooling required = 40 Burrs + 2 Die Grinders

 

VersaDrive® Impact Reamer method:

-Ream with VersaDrive® Reamer driven by Impact Wrench
-Time taken: 3 days (6 shifts) = 72hrs
-Tooling required = 2 Reamers


Results

The VersaDrive method therefore saved 168 man hours,
$880 in tooling, plus PPE costs for PPE that was no longer required

 

  • There are no current downloads
  • Related Products

    Scroll To Top