When blinding fin fan exchanger banks, what is the best practice?

Wedge open each header flange at the same time is the best practice when blinding fin fan exchanger banks because it ensures that the stress and load are evenly distributed across all flanges. By doing this, the system minimizes the risk of damaging the flanges or causing leaks, which can occur if one flange is unbolted or opened before the others. This method allows the exchanger to be securely blinded while maintaining an appropriate balance among the connections, which helps to ensure operational integrity and safety.

Using manual tools or unbolting one flange at a time might lead to uneven pressure or misalignment, potentially causing damage. Ignoring the flanges altogether is not a viable option since it defeats the purpose of safely isolating the exchanger for maintenance or inspection. Therefore, the strategy of wedging open all header flanges simultaneously is the most efficient and safest approach in this scenario.