Refinery ring groove cracking experience

Conference · Sat May 01 04:00:00 UTC 1982 · Proc., Am. Pet. Inst., Refin. Dep.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6733091

Ehmke, E F

This paper presents the results of a questionnaire on the problem of ring groove cracking in reactors. The results were found to be inconclusive in providing any information on correcting the problem. One report pertaining to a ring groove crack on a 24-inch reactor nozzle served as a warning that cracks may progress beyond the overlay, through it is not known if the base metal can easily crack at low temperatures. The results did not indicate at what point the cracks occurred, but what was common to almost all cracks was that the flange had been in high-temperature, high-pressure hydrogen suggesting that dissolved hydrogen or environmental hydrogen assisted the cracking. The type of stress that contributes in the cracking has not been determined. It is indicated that many cracks were found after the questionnaire was done.

• Research Organization: Tosco Corporation, Martinez, California
• OSTI ID: 6733091
• Report Number(s): CONF-8205253-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Proc., Am. Pet. Inst., Refin. Dep.; (United States) Journal Volume: 61
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020400* -- Petroleum-- Processing
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360103 -- Metals & Alloys-- Mechanical Properties
CHEMICAL REACTORS
CRACK PROPAGATION
ELEMENTS
EMBRITTLEMENT
FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS
FLANGES
FRACTURE MECHANICS
HIGH PRESSURE
HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LEAKS
MECHANICS
METALS
NOZZLES
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
RINGS
STRESSES
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE