Abstract
Corrosive failure is frequently found in petrochemical pipelines which may lead to the leakage of the pipes and even the shutdown of the system. However, the corrosion mechanism is still not well understood due to the complex service environment, e.g. the corrosive fluids and the long term operation at higher temperature. The corrosion behaviour of a petrochemical pipe elbow was evaluated via visual examination and microanalysis with optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) together with energy dispersive analysis X-ray (EDAX). The corresponding corrosion mechanisms, the combination of grain boundary attach and the crevice attach together with the flow-accelerated corrosion, were proposed consequently.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hansson C M, Hansson I L H. ASM Handbook[M]. Ohio: ASM International, Metals Park, 1992. 214–220.
Dooley R B, Chexal V K. Fow-accelerated corrosion of pressure vessels in fossil plants [J]. Int J Pressure Vessels and Piping, 2000, 77: 85–90.
Hales C, Stevens K J, Daniel P L, et al. Boiler feedwater pipe failure by flow-assisted chelant corrosion [J]. Engineering Failure Analysis, 2002, 9: 235–243.
Chexal V K, Horowitz J, Dooley R B, et al. Flow-accelerated corrosion in power plants[R]. TR-106611 R1, Polo Alto: EPRI, 1998.
Port R D, Herro H M. The NALCO Guide to Boiler Failure Analysis[M]. New York: McGraw-Hill Inc, 1991. 71–79.
Shaikh H, George G, Khatak H S. Failure analysis of an AM 350 steel bellows[J]. Engineering Failure Analysis, 2001, 8: 571–576.
Jha A K, Murty S V S N, Diwakar V, et al. Metallurgical analysis of failed SS 304 bolts used in flanged joints of a liquid oxidizer pipe line[J]. Engineering Failure Analysis, 2003, 10: 67–75.
Makar J M. A preliminary analysis of failures in grey cast iron water pipes[J]. Engineering Failure Analysis, 2000, 7: 43–53.
Guan K S, Xu F, Wang Z W, et al. Failure analysis of hot corrosion of weldments in ethylene cracking tubes [J]. Engineering Failure Analysis, 2005, 12: 1–12.
Heyes A M. Oxygen pitting failure of a bagasse boiler tube[J]. Engineering Failure Analysis, 2001, 8: 123–131.
Zhang L, Wang Y, Chen J, et al. Evaluation of local thinned pressurized elbows[J]. Int J Pressure Vessels and Piping, 2001, 78: 697–703.
Ting K, Ma Y P. The evaluation of erosion/corrosion problems of carbon steel piping in Taiwan PWR nuclear power plant[J]. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 1999, 191: 231–243.
Seal S, Sapre K, Kale A, et al. Effect of multiphase flow on corrosion of C-steel in presence of inhibitor: a surface morphological and chemical study[J]. Corrosion Science, 2000, 42: 1623–1634.
Bozzini B, Ricotti M E, Boniardi M, et al. Evaluation of erosion-corrosion in multiphase flow via CFD and experimental analysis[J]. Wear, 2003, 255: 237–245.
Albarran J L, Martinez L. Effect of heat treatment on the stress corrosion resistance of a microalloy pipeline steel[J]. Corrosion Science, 1999, 41: 1037–1049.
Ray A K, Sinha S K, Tiwri Y N. Analysis of failed reformer tubes[J]. Engineering Failure Analysis, 2003, 10: 351–362.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Li, Xy., Lü, T. Analysis of corrosion failure of petrochemical pipe elbow. J Cent. South Univ. Technol. 12, 119–123 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-005-0022-0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-005-0022-0