Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating removal of spent tubes from boilers or heat exchangers in environments where access to one side of the wall through which the tube extends is limited. The apparatus includes a jaw assembly that is movable between a retracted position, at which it can be introduced within a tube to be removed, and an expanded position, at which it radially expands the tube so as to prevent longitudinal movement of the tube. The jaw assembly can be manipulated between the retracted and expanded positions solely through the tube interior so that a worker stationed at a proximal end of the tube to be removed can move the jaw assembly to the expanded position at which the distal end of the tube is fixed against longitudinal movement. After application of pulling forces to fracture the tube, the jaw assembly can be disengaged solely by access through the tube from the proximal end, whereby efficiency of tube removal in environments of limited access is materially enhanced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating removal of spent tubes from boilers or heat exchangers in environments where access to one side of the wall through which the tube extends is limited. The apparatus includes a jaw assembly that is movable between a retracted position, at which it can be introduced within a tube to be removed, and an expanded position, at which it radially expands the tube so as to prevent longitudinal movement of the tube. The jaw assembly can be manipulated between the retracted and expanded positions solely through the tube interior so that a worker stationed at a proximal end of the tube to be removed can move the jaw assembly to the expanded position at which the distal end of the tube is fixed against longitudinal movement. After application of pulling forces to fracture the tube, the jaw assembly can be disengaged solely by access through the tube from the proximal end, whereby efficiency of tube removal in environments of limited access is materially enchanced.