Mechanical Strength and Leak Tightness of Expanded and Crimped Stainless Steel Tubes of High Pressure Gas Coolers

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The Canadian energy sector comprises of oil and gas industry, refineries, petrochemical plants and fossil and nuclear power plants that use coolers and heat exchangers. Presently, most of these equipment use CFC and HCFC refrigerants that represent a major source of atmosphere pollutants and are responsible for global warming. Because CO2 has the lowest negative effect on global warming, its use as a refrigerant makes it very attractive. The new generation of coolers based on CO2 ACR technology replaces copper with stainless steel tubing because of the high pressure and high temperature requirements of CO2 when used as a refrigerant. Unfortunately, no company makes CO2 stainless steel coolers in Canada. **The new Kool-Air and École de Technologie Supérieure (ETS) research partnership is aimed at helping Kool-Air acquire the expertise to fill this need. In particular, it is proposed to investigate the integrity and leak tightness of stainless steel tubes when subjected to die expansion, crimping and welding. The assessment of die tube expansion and its impact on crimping and welding is critical for the performance of CO2 coolers. Such products must comply with CSA and ASME requirements for pressure vessels and piping. The fabrication of reliable coolers will help Kool-Air grow and expand their product line. **The proposed collaborative effort and the generated results could be used to advance knowledge in CO2 stainless steel coolers and help improve the reliability of equipment manufactured in Canada and their compliance with the current strict anti-fugitive-emission regulations and environmental protection laws worldwide. This project initiative will hopefully serve Kool-Air Inc. and other similar Canadian companies to improve their service capability, skills and expertise and to diversify their activities.**