Stress Corrosion Cracking of Ring Type Joint of Reactor Pipeline of a Hydrocracker Unit

Failure of a ring type joint (RTJ) of reactor pipeline of a hydrocracker unit has been reported. Cracks were noticed on the flange as well as the ring gasket of the RTJ during inspection following a periodic shutdown of the unit. These components of the RTJ were manufactured from stabilized grades of austenitic stainless steel, namely, type 321 and 347, respectively. Study showed that the failure of the RTJ components occurred by transgranular stress corrosion cracking. It was further established that formation of polythionic acid due to presence of H₂S in the process gas and H₂O in the system was responsible for initiation of SCC in RTJ components. Detailed metallurgical investigation was carried out to identify the probable causes that could have been responsible for formation of polythionic acid in the process gas.     

Failure of hydrocracker heat exchanger tubes in an oil refinery by polythionic acid-stress corrosion cracking

Heat exchanger tubes of a hydrocracker unit in an oil refinery developed cracks at the bent sections after about 48 h of operation at 400 °C following a period of downtime. The tubes were fabricated from 321 stainless steel. Detailed analysis by various electron-optical techniques and X-ray diffraction showed that the tubes were cracked by stress corrosion cracking induced by polythionic acid. Due to the presence of H₂S in the environment, the inner surface of the tubes was converted into sulfur-bearing scale during operation. This could promote the formation of polythionic acid by aqueous condensates during downtime leading to cracking in the presence of residual internal stresses.     

Stress corrosion cracking of a circulation water heater tubesheet

After only three years' service of a circulation water heater, tubesheet showed sever leakage and led the plant to emergency shutdown. On-site investigation revealed extensive cracking initiated at weld area and through the tubesheet holes. Samples from failed area were removed and investigated. The chemical and micro structural properties were analyzed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Micro structural observations have shown intergranular and transgranular crack growth. Sulfur was detected in corrosion products by EDS examinations. Sulfur compounds and chromium carbides also were detected by XRD analyses. Wet carbonaceous deposits were found on surfaces of the tube sheet. Analysis on the deposits depicted presence of caustic and chlorides. Considering all aspects of failures led to this conclusion that the material was in sensitized condition possibly due to overheating at the deposit sites. The sensitized material failed due to the acronym SCC induced by polythionic acid. Presence of chlorides and caustic aid the failures.     

Failure analysis of TP304H tubes in the superheated steam section of a reformer furnace

The cracking failure of TP304H tubes in the superheated steam section of a reformer furnace was analyzed. Through the analysis of macro-appearance, micro-appearance of specimens with cracks, metallurgical structure of specimens from an intact pipe section and cracked pipe section, energy spectrum detection of fracture surface, residual stress measurement, and investigation of the service medium, the cracking mode was described as the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of austenitic stainless steel. In this case, the materials in the heat affected zone were sensitized by inappropriate welding technology. This together with the higher pH value in the steam due to the failure of a gas-liquid separator led to the final cracking of the reformer furnace tube. So the inappropriate welding technology and the failure of the gas-liquid separator were the main factors in this fracture accident.     

Failure analysis of air pre-heater tubes of a petrochemicals plant

Heat resistant alloy tubes used in the higher temperature range of 1150–1273 K depends on the protective scale integrity for prevention of corrosion induced premature failures in a mixed gas environment with potential corrodents for oxidation, carburization and sulphidation attack. Cast HK40+Nb alloy tubes of an air pre-heater unit of a petrochemical industry failed prematurely after 13,000 h in service. The unit used smoke gas containing gaseous corrodents that could cause oxidation/sulphidation/carburization type of attack. Failed parts showed crack/punctures below the corrosion product filled pits. The crack occurred in the fully carburized zone present at the thinned out centre of the pit. Factors like excessive temperature cycling, overheating, presence of impurities either in the pre-heating gas mixture or that got introduced while in operation were found to be the reasons for breach of protective scale integrity leading to unwarranted corrosion attack resulting in thinning of tube material and internal corrosion penetration which finally led to premature failure.     

Corrosion failures of AISI type 304 stainless steel in a fertiliser plant

A urea plant, operating on ammonia and carbon dioxide (CO₂) gases, had to be shutdown due to corrosion in the intercooler and aftercooler of its CO₂ gas cleaning circuit. Extensive general corrosion of AISI type 304 stainless steel parts, such as sealing strips, fins, demisters and the shell, of these two components which were in contact with the duplex stainless steel tubes, caused the shutdown of the fertiliser plant within 6 months. Investigations of the corrosion products by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques showed the presence of carbon and ammonia based compounds, thus suggesting the role of ammonia and CO₂ gases, or the product of their reactions, in the corrosion of type 304 stainless steel. Electrochemical polarisation studies showed that duplex stainless steel possessed a more positive open circuit potential and a nobler critical pitting potential than type 304 stainless steel thus confirming that the corrosion of type 304 stainless steel was caused by the galvanic action with the duplex stainless steel heat transfer tubes. Hence, it was recommended that (i) the same material (type 304 stainless steel) be used for all parts of the intercooler and aftercooler to avoid galvanic corrosion, (ii) condense water carried over by CO₂ gas by cooling it to low temperatures immediately after it comes out from the scrubber, (iii) slight modification of the process to add up to 0.8% oxygen in the CO₂ gas before entry into the intercooler, which will help in retaining/formation of an effective passive film on type 304 stainless steel.     

Failure analysis: Chloride stress corrosion cracking of AISI 316 stainless steel downhole pressure memory gauge cover

The downhole pressure memory gauge cover which is the focal point of this failure case study was hung in the production tubing of a sour gas well at a depth of 3200 m during a multiple rate productivity index test. Approximately 140 h after start up, the tool cover failed. The memory gauge cover experienced repeated premature failures. One failed sample was investigated by chemical and microstructural analytical techniques to find out the failure cause and provide preventive measures. The gauge cover alloy was type AISI 316 stainless steel. During investigation many branched cracks were observed on the external surface of the gauge cover grown from the pits perpendicular to the cylinder axis. The results indicate that pressure memory gauge cover failed due to chloride stress corrosion cracking (CLSCC). Also according to slow strain rate test, it was evident that the best alternative for the downhole pressure memory gauge cover alloy is Nitronic 50 and the second option is 17–4 PH stainless steel.     

Investigations on the corrosion of flash chamber floor plates in a multistage flash desalination plant

This article presents the results of an investigation on the corrosion of flash chamber floor plates in a multistage flash (MSF) desalination plant. In an MSF plant, desalinated water is produced by flashing deaerated seawater in successive flash chambers under reduced pressure. The flash chamber floor plates were made of carbon steel with AISI type 317L stainless steel (UNS S31703) internal cladding. The thickness of the carbon steel and cladding was 8.5 and 3 mm, respectively. Approximately four years after the plant was commissioned, indications of corrosion processes, in the form of numerous red-colored spots, were noticed on the floor plates. The cause of corrosion was determined by examining the operating history, conducting an on-site visual examination coupled with an in situ material analysis of the floor plates (through the use of a portable alloy analyzer), and analyzing the corrosion products with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The corrosion was attributed to frequent shutdowns and fairly long periods of stagnant high-chloride water on the floor plates during shutdown. Recommendations are given to prevent/minimize such failures.     

Failure Analysis of AISI 321 Austenitic Stainless Steel Water Piping in a Power Plant

The objective of this work was to analyze a reported pitting damage mechanism in water piping of a power plant. The investigated material was a longitudinal-seam welded pipe which was made of AISI 321 austenitic stainless steel. Pitting occurred on the internal surfaces of the pipe and adjacent to the girth welds. Optical emission spectrometry, metallography, and electrochemical testing were the techniques employed to analyze the failure. The investigation showed that the flowing water contained chloride ions in which AISI 321 austenitic stainless steel is not immune against pitting corrosion. In addition, the polarization data showed the susceptibility of the material to pitting corrosion in the service conditions. Furthermore, the result of double loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation tests showed that the material was sensitized during welding. It was found that the damage was due to pitting corrosion in chloride-containing water. Thus, it was recommended to replace the pipe with material having higher pitting resistance equivalent number to be more resistant against pitting corrosion.     

Failure cases related to material issues in wet-process phosphoric acid plant

The present paper describes three failure cases of metallic components handling wet-process phosphoric acid at ambient temperatures in a phosphate fertilizer plant. All the three cases of failure were related not directly to the corrosive environment rather to wrong selection or inferior quality of materials. In the first case, pipeline of stainless steel 316L failed due to inferior quality of material used in the elbow region. The elbow material was not a low carbon grade stainless steel and was also in heavily sensitized condition which led to intergranular corrosion and intergranular cracking. The other two cases were related to failures of pump sleeves made up of cast alloys equivalent to stainless steel 316 and Hastelloy C-276 respectively. SS 316 showed through-wall pitting and cracking while Hastelloy C-276 had undergone extensive corrosion along the interdendritic boundaries. Both the materials contained high carbon content which led to heavy precipitation of carbides (Cr-rich carbides in SS 316 and Mo-rich carbides in C-276) along inter-dendritic boundaries during solidification of the casting reducing their corrosion resistance. Recommendations to avoid such failures are also suggested.     

Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Dissimilar Weld-Joints between Duplex Stainless Steel 2205 and Austenitic Stainless Steel 316L

The microstructure and corrosion resistance of dissimilar weld-joints between stainless steel SAF 2205 and stainless steel AISI 316 L were investigated. Welding was accomplished by different types of welding wires AWS ER 347, AWS ER 316 L and AWS ER 309 L. To verify soundness of welded samples, nondestructive tests were performed. Metallographic samples were prepared from cross-section areas of weldjoints to investigate microstructure of different regions of weld-joints by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Corrosion resistance of weld-joints was evaluated in NaCl solution by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance techniques. In the weld metal AWS ER 347, the brittle sigma phase was created, resulting in the decrease of weld-joint corrosion resistance. According to the results of metallurgical investigations and corrosion tests, welding wire AWS ER 309 L was suitable for welding duplex stainless steel(SAF 2205) to austenitic stainless steel(AISI 316L) by gas tungsten arc welding(GTAW)process.     

SCC of Stainless Steel Furnace Tubes in a Heating Furnace

Some furnace tubes made of the austeniticstainless steel 1Cr18Ni9Ti for heating crude oil ex-hibited leakage and were on fire in a refinery.Cor-rosion failure analysis was conducted to explore thecause of failure.Macro-and microexamination in-dicated the failure to be stress corrosion cracking bychloride and sulphide with cracks initiating on theinner surface in weld or heat affected zone.Veri-fying tests demonstrated that the cracks occurredduring operating period.The cause of failure wasrelated to the critical situation of the refinery:lackof desalination equipment,lots of steam with liquidfilm on inside tube walls owing to mixing crude oilwith a great amount of water,increasing decompo-sition of inorganic salts and lowering the tempera-ture in furnace tubes.     

循环流化床锅炉高温再热器管泄漏原因分析

通过宏观和微观检验对某循环流化床锅炉一段焊接有螺柱的高温再热器管水压试验时泄漏的原因进行了分析。结果表明:泄漏是由连多硫酸应力腐蚀造成的,并指出循环流化床锅炉受热面不锈钢管利用螺柱焊焊接锚固件的工艺值得进一步探讨。     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of low alloy steel T11–austenitic stainless steel 347H bimetallic tubes

Abstract

A low alloy steel (T11) has been bonded to an austenitic stainless steel 347H by hot coextrusion under industrial conditions. The final product was a seamless bimetallic tube with 347H cladding the exterior for corrosion resistance in severely corrosive environments at high temperatures. The microstructures of the coextruded bonding have been compared to those obtained in the laboratory, after diffusion bonding experiments, using hot isostatic pressing (hipping). In all cases both the interdiffusion of the different elements across the interface and the microstructure have been analysed by optical microscopy, SEM, and TEM. On the 347H side a profuse precipitation, mainly of NbC, was found in a region near the interface. Only in the hipped specimens, as result of nickel and chromium diffusion from the stainless steel to the T11 steel, a martensite band was observed parallel to the interface. The heat treatment performed on the bimetallic tubes, to obtain the optimum combination of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, consisted of austenitisation between 1050–1100°C, water quenching, and a stabilisation treat ment at 850–900°C, followed by slow cooling.     

Chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking of furnace burner tubes

The burner tubes (316SS) of an ethylene cracking furnace in a Saudi petrochemical plant experienced repeated premature failures. One failed sample was investigated by chemical and microstructural analytical techniques to find out the failure cause and provide preventive measures. The results indicate that the burner tube failed due to chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (SCC). Chloride could be due to the contamination coming from the ambient industrial environment. The forming process (bending and drawing) of the tubes prior to installation introduced residual tensile stresses necessary for SCC. It is recommended to stress relieve (or shot peen) the tubes following the forming process, or alternatively apply protective coatings (chloride-free) to prevent contamination. Periodic cleaning of the tube exterior is necessary.     

Failure analysis of AISI 321 tubes of heat exchanger

The present study is about the failures of tubes from a tube shell heat exchange in one of the compression stages used to cool and purify the gas produced in an off-shore platform. Conventional hydrostatic tests did not detect leaking in the heat exchanger, but these tests were conducted at room temperature, i.e., very distant to the service temperature (163 °C). However, tightness tests with helium gas have detected leaking. Some tubes were taken off for analysis and the liquid penetrating test detected cracks in crevices formed between the tube and the tube sheet. The cracks were found to be typical stress corrosion cracks with branched pattern. A non-destructive test with Eddy current probes was developed to give high percentage of detection. The work was conclusive about the main cause of failures. Due to the increase of chloride content of the water processed to concentrations higher than 1000 mg/L over the years, the substitution of AISI 321 tubes by superduplex steel is recommended.     

Role of oxide notching and degraded alloy microstructure in remarkably premature failure of steam generator tubes

Failure analysis investigation was carried out on a ruptured primary superheater tube of a boiler unit in a power plant. The rupture of 1Cr–0.5Mo steel tube had caused steam leakage and led to boiler shutdown after only 17,520 h of operation. The physical and mechanical characteristics of the alloy and the oxide scales in the area of failure were characterized by visual inspection, optical microscopy and microhardness testing, whereas the chemical variations were examined by optical emission spectrometry and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). A distinct surface/sub-surface zone of decarburization that was observed both on the inner and outer sides of the tube was developed before the tubes were put to the service. The fracture was attributed to a prolonged overheating as a result of the oxide scale build-up, causing loss of creep strength. The decarburized surface/sub-surface facilitated crack initiation/propagation.     

Failure analysis of 316L stainless steel tubing of the high-pressure still condenser

Sherritt International Corporation experienced corrosion failures with the 316L stainless steel tubing in a high-pressure still condenser employed for ammonia recovery. A detailed failure analysis was conducted on the condenser tubing to determine the mode and the root cause of the failure. The analysis included both optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the inner and outer surfaces of the tube as well as characterization of the corrosion products using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Results revealed that the corrosion attack was confined to the first ～100 mm of the tubing at the inlet where the tube was connected to the top tubesheet. The tube suffered both external stress-corrosion cracking (SCC) and crevice corrosion from the shell side (water side), and wall thinning of the inner surface (the tube side) due to erosion corrosion. It was evident that failure of one of the tubes occurred due to SCC that penetrated the whole wall thickness and resulted in a leak failure. Some prevention measures are proposed to avoid this type of corrosion attack in the future.     

奥氏体不锈钢在石油精炼环境中应力腐蚀破裂

通过恒变形和恒载荷试验研究了敏化18—8型奥氏体不锈钢在连多硫酸介质中的应力腐蚀行为。研究表明,介质浓度在2.0～6.0％,PH 值在0.8～1.8范围是材料出现应力腐蚀破裂的敏感介质。断口分析表明,在该体系中破裂属晶间型。钢中晶界贫铬区的存在是产生晶间型应力腐蚀破裂的主要原因。     

Corrosion fatigue cracking of AISI 316L stainless steel screen mesh

This paper describes the failure of stainless steel screen mesh grade AISI 316L after being in service for only 8 months. The characterization methods included visual examination, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and metallography. The results showed that the screen mesh failed by pitting corrosion and subsequent corrosion fatigue cracking. Pitting was initiated by the attack of chlorides from PVC powder and service environment as well as the action of excessive wear. Subsequent corrosion fatigue cracking arose from the presence of chlorides along with the residual and cyclic stress concentration at the pits. Failure prevention can be achieved by annealing after wire drawing, periodic surface cleaning, and proper material selection.