Introduction This is an update to our previous blog on cracking of refinery hydroprocessing REACs made of duplex stainless steel: View Original Post 2205 DSS (UNS S31803 or S32205) has been used in refinery hydroprocessing unit reactor effluent air coolers (REACs) since the mid 1980’s (1). 2205 was selected due to its good resistance to ammonium […]
The first two articles of this series provided a methodical approach to identifying a chloride problem in a hydroprocessing unit, determining the size of the problem, and narrowing it down to a likely source or sources. This final article addresses approaches to dealing with various sources. Step 4 – Managing the Chlorides Now that you […]
The first article of this series introduced the symptoms of a chloride problem in a hydroprocessing unit. In this article, we will explore how to interpret the symptoms by determining how much chloride-containing material we are looking for and identifying the possible or likely source(s) for this amount of material, embodied in Steps 2 and […]
Introduction This series of three articles explores the impacts chlorides may have on hydroprocessing units (hydrotreaters and hydrocrackers). It provides a methodical approach to identifying the typical effects that point toward chlorides, the sources of chlorides in process feed streams, chloride-induced failure mechanisms, methods for identifying chlorides, strategies for chloride control, and a step-by-step process […]
Cracking of REAC Duplex Stainless Steel Failures of Refinery Hydroprocessing Unit REACs made of 2205 DSS have in some cases resulted in significant plant damage and extended outages for repairs. In a few cases, header box welds have ruptured. Additionally, failures have occurred at tube-to-tubesheet welds and in REAC inlet and outlet piping made of […]
Becht Engineering is at the forefront of performing extensive Root Cause Failure Analyses (RCFA) for its clients in heavy industry. When a full scope RCFA is performed for a client, an experienced and committed team is deployed to multiple areas before, during, and after a Root Cause Investigation. These teams are typically led by an […]
