Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Failure of High Temperature Shift Quench Drum in Hydrogen Manufacturing Unit

Failure of High Temperature Shift Quench Drum in Hydrogen Manufacturing Unit

Type
Journal Article
Author
B. Ravi Kumar
Author
B. Radhakrishnan
URL
Publication
CORROSION 2014
Date
2014-05-13
Abstract
A high temperature shift quench drum in the hydrogen manufacturing unit of a refinery developed an in-service leak after 11 years of operation. The vessel was made of 1 ¼ Cr ½ Mo alloy steel with a 304L SS internal cladding. Equipment made of 1¼ Cr ½ Mo have a history of premature failures,
Following failure, the vessel was decommissioned and offered for internal inspection. Visual inspection and advanced NDT revealed extensive cracking of SS internal lining / weld overlay and base metal not only in the leak area, but in the clad metal at several locations as well.
Authors describe the damage mechanisms possible root causes leading to failure and various challenges encountered during the course of repair, including the limitations and effect of Larson-Miller Parameter on inherent strength properties as a result of repeated PWHT cycles.

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