Pointer arrangement for marking tubes in a shell and tube heat exchanger

1. A method for marking a tube in a shell and tube heat exchanger that includes a plurality of open-ended tubes, comprising the steps of:

identifying a first tube that is to be marked;

identifying a second tube adjacent to said first tube, said second tube defining an open end;

inserting a directional pointer into the open end of the second tube, with the directional pointer including a directional indicator; and

securing the directional pointer in the second tube with said directional indicator being directed toward the first tube and being visible from outside the second tube.

2. A method for marking a tube in a shell and tube heat exchanger as recited in claim 1 , wherein said directional pointer includes a cylindrical shaped body made of a compressible material; and wherein the step of inserting the directional pointer into the open end of the second tube is conducted when the cylindrical shaped body is in a first condition, and the step of securing the directional pointer in the second tube includes moving the cylindrical shaped body to a second, more expanded condition, in which it exerts an outward force against the inner wall of the second tube.

3. A method for marking a tube in a shell and tube heat exchanger as recited in claim 2 , wherein the step of moving the cylindrical shaped body to the more expanded condition includes extending a bolt axially through the cylindrical shaped body, said bolt defining first and second ends, and tightening a nut onto the second end of the bolt to compress the cylindrical shaped body axially and expand the cylindrical shaped body radially.

4. A method for marking a tube in a shell and tube heat exchanger as recited in claim 3 , wherein the directional indicator includes a directional indicator plate through which the bolt extends and a directional marking on the directional indicator plate.

5. A method for marking a tube in a shell and tube heat exchanger as recited in claim 3 , wherein the nut is sufficiently secured to the cylindrical body to prevent the nut from rotating relative to the cylindrical body when the bolt is rotated.

6. A method for marking a tube in a shell and tube heat exchanger as recited in claim 5 , wherein the directional indicator includes a directional indicator plate through which the bolt extends and a directional marking on the directional indicator plate.