Inspecting a Heat Exchanger with a Portable, Flexible Boroscope

Emma,

With tubes to be inspected up to 180", even with access from both ends, it sounds like you are going to need some type of extension.

Is your borescope the fiber-optic type, or does it have a digital (CMOS) sensor & compact lens at the end of the 53" cord, with the cord transmitting electrical signal only, as opposed to a coherent image on a fiber bundle?

How critical is the 4 mm dia. measurement (i.e., what is the avg. dia. of the heat exchanger tubes you will be inspecting)???

If you are dealing with a fiber-optic borescope, extensions are pricy...

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Just my $0.02...

The JMAN,

Thanks for your timely contribution. The Borescope has fiber optic light giude with external LED light source. The average diameter of hex is 3/4".

I just want to be reassured that the equipment, notwithstanding the shortness of the cord, would be able to traverse an approximate 15 feet tube length, particularly with respect to U type tubes.

Furthermore, please confirm that this equiment is considered intrinsically safe in a hydrocarbon environment.

Regards,
Emma.

Hi Emma,

first I would ask myself "what am I doing this for?" (borescoping the tubes that is - not asking questions on this forum)

If it is to inspect the tubes for accumulation of deposits etc (ie are they bunged up or restricted) then you don't really need a borescope

If it is to inspect the insides of the tubes for damage, pitting etc then you need a sideways viewing borescope and a hell of a lot of patience. I personally would say it is an impossible task to thoroughly inspect the inside of tubes like this in this way and be sure not to miss anything.

Therefore, I don't think you need a borescope at all!

Think about what it is you are trying to do, if no good solution appears to you, re-ask the question on this forum, and some of the "helpful" jokers will give you lots of suggestions.......

Good luck, and may I add that you're the first lady I've come across on here - how about bringing along some friends to cheer up all the old codgers who seem to inhabit this space.......

Dear Emma,

You can use Edy-current test for Heat exchenger tubes defect controls ,

good luck,

A.U.ÖZKAN

Emma

Further to the other contributions, yes it is possible but subject to various factors.

Normally such bundles are inspected by a) Eddy current - fast but a indicative only of issues, then b) IRIS - a quantative UT method

Neither will go around the U bend and one also would need to know the material type to verify applicability

Hence why you then supplement with visual in the form of a video endoscope which depending upon how thorough you want to be can have interchangeable objectives to give differing directions and fields of view. and if required can be fitted with stereo measurement objective so as defects can be measured.

That is how a thorough survey would be performed - drop me a line if you need anything else