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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Rare corrosion failure of a 90/10 copper nickel firewater pipe

Conference ·
OSTI ID:109938
 [1]
  1. Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Abqaiq (Saudi Arabia)

Failure of a copper nickel firewater pipe occurred due to external exposure to a seawater and sodium hypochlorite solution over an extended period. Sodium hypochlorite was injected into an offshore firewater system to enhance internal corrosion resistance and inhibit marine growth. A flange leak released the protected seawater solution onto the exterior surface on the firewater pipe. This exposure caused a chemical corrosion phenomenon to occur, which weaken the pipe. During an annual fire pump flow test for the subject platform, the firewater pipe ruptured due to the corrosion effects.

OSTI ID:
109938
Report Number(s):
CONF-950304--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English