Application of non-destructive and fracture mechanics techniques for the condition assessment of naphtha hydrotreater furnace tubes in oil refinery

CATEGORY: NAPHTHA HYDROTREATER 
Application of non-destructive and fracture mechanics techniques for the condition assessment of naphtha hydrotreater furnace tubes in oil refinery

Type	Journal Article
Author	Miraj Muhammad Jan
Author	Amena Jalil
URL	http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350630714000429
Volume	40
Pages	15-24
Publication	Engineering Failure Analysis
Date	May 2014
Abstract	Furnace tubes of oil refineries undergo thermal, mechanical and environmental loadings. In addition to highly corrosive conditions, components are subject to severe temperatures and pressures which lead to the material degradation, ultimately resulting in failure. Consequently, the tubes have a finite life. It is important to monitor the condition of the tubes during inspection to avoid any rupture during the service. Researchers examined the condition of the naphtha hydrotreater furnace tubes of an oil refinery. These tubes were manufactured of SA 312 P321 material and had been in service for about twenty-five years. Two different techniques were applied for the condition assessment of used and fresh tubes – non-destructive (ND) examination and fracture mechanics based fractographic evaluation. Based on the ND testing, significant deterioration of material was noted in the used specimens. Similarly, besides micro-structural defects, the used material also exhibited sufficient loss of hardness. On the other hand, mechanical properties obtained from standard tension, impact and bend tests also exhibited the poor condition of the tubes.