Overview
The EST G-150 tube testing gun is a pneumatic pressure testing tool manufactured by EST Group (formerly Expando Seal Tools, Inc.) for detecting leaks in heat exchanger, condenser, and boiler tubes. This used set includes both an air injection gun and a tube plugging gun, enabling technicians to pressurize and isolate individual tubes to identify pinhole leaks quickly and reliably.
Key Features
- Pneumatic operation with standard plant air supply (40–125 psi)
- Dual-gun configuration: air injection and plugging gun for complete isolation
- Interchangeable seal and washer sets for tube ID range 0.280″ to 1.230″ (7.11–31.24 mm)
- Lightweight design: under 2.1 lbs per gun, reducing operator fatigue
- Large pressure gauge for immediate leak detection and pressure monitoring
- Compatible with shell and tube heat exchangers, condensers, and boiler applications
Technical Specifications
- Air Supply Pressure: 40–125 psi (2.7–8.6 bar)
- Tube ID Range: 0.280″ to 1.230″ (7.11 mm to 31.24 mm)
- Weight per Gun: Less than 2.1 lbs (0.95 kg)
- Configuration: G-150 Air Injection Gun + G-150 Plugging Gun
- Seal Material: Neoprene (interchangeable sets available)
- Larger Variant: G-150A model available for tubes up to 2.500″ (63.5 mm) ID
- Operation Method: Pneumatic expansion sealing
Typical Applications
The EST G-150 is widely used in industrial maintenance for:
- Detecting pinhole leaks in heat exchanger tubes during in-service inspection
- Pressure testing entire tube bundles or isolated groups of tubes
- Preventive maintenance on aging condensers and coolers to maintain efficiency
- Compliance with heat exchanger inspection protocols in power generation, petrochemical, and refining facilities
- Field repair and troubleshooting of shell and tube heat exchangers
Compatibility & Replacements
Compatible With
- All standard plant air supplies (40–125 psi regulation required)
- Shell and tube heat exchangers (copper, admiralty, titanium, and steel tubes)
- Condensers and coolers in power generation, refining, and petrochemical plants
- Boiler tube systems requiring leak detection
- Isolation of individual or multiple tubes in a bundle
Replaces / Drop-In Replacement For
The EST G-150 set directly replaces worn or damaged units in existing heat exchanger maintenance programs. Consult the original installation documentation to verify compatibility with your specific heat exchanger design and tube configuration.
Works With
- EST Group replacement seal and washer kits (custom sizing available)
- Standard NPT fittings and plant air distribution systems
- EST Group G-150A variant for larger tube diameters (up to 2.500″ ID)
- Compatible with industry-standard tube plugging and testing procedures
