Analysis of T-105 Fractionation Column failure at the Wilsonville, Alabama, Solvent Refined Coal (SRC) pilot plant

Technical Report · Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:5392318

Baylor, V B; Keiser, J R; Leslie, B C; Allen, M D; Swindeman, R W

The T-105 Fractionation Column at the Wilsonville, Alabama, Solvent Refined Coal (SRC) pilot plant was removed from service in February 1979, when corrosion had exceeded design limits. Inspection revealed general thinning of vessel walls and internal components as well as pitting and localized attack in weld heat-affected zones. On-site metallography also revealed some intergranular attack of the vessel wall. Metallographic and microprobe examination showed the corrosion scale on austenitic stainless steels to be predominantly nickel sulfide. Chemical analysis of the process fluids revealed that the amount of chlorine in the column feed was substantially greater than that measured before a change was made in the type of coal being processed. We suspect that the corroding species was a sulfur-containing organic acid whose attack was accelerated by the presence of chlorides; however, the offensive agent has yet to be positively identified. Laboratory work aimed at identifying the corrosion mechanism is continuing.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5392318
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-7327
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
DISTILLATION EQUIPMENT
CORROSION
FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS
SRC PROCESS
PILOT PLANTS
CHLORIDES
COAL LIQUEFACTION
CORROSIVE EFFECTS
METALLOGRAPHY
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
EQUIPMENT
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
LIQUEFACTION
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
010405* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Hydrogenation & Liquefaction
360105 - Metals & Alloys- Corrosion & Erosion