Plugging a heat exchanger tube

A method of plugging a tube of a heat exchanger comprising:

• disposing a plug assembly in the tube and that comprises an elongated plug body, an annular ring assembly circumscribing the plug body, and a frangible extension projecting from an end of the plug body;
• applying a first axial force to the extension;
• applying a second axial force to the ring assembly that is oppositely directed to the first axial force;
• forming a barrier in an annular space between the plug body and an inner surface of the tube by continuing to apply the first and second axial forces and urging the ring assembly radially outward into contact with the tube so that an outer surface of the ring assembly is deformed to define a deformed ring assembly;
• and
• improving a seal between the deformed ring assembly and inner surface of the tube by urging the deformed ring assembly axially within the tube.

A system for plugging a tube of a heat exchanger comprising:

• an elongated bolt that is in selective engagement with a plug assembly that comprises a plug body, a ring assembly that circumscribes the plug body, and an extension that projects from a portion of the plug body having smaller diameter;
• a bore in an end of the bolt that selectively couples with the extension and is profiled so that the extension is pulled into the bore by manually rotating the bolt in a designated direction;
• a strut having an end in abutting contact with the ring assembly and that extends axially along a portion of the bolt;
• and
• a resilient member having an aft end coupled with the bolt and a forward end in contact with an end of the strut distal from the ring assembly, and that is compressed as the bolt is rotated in the designated direction.