Case Studies on Field Repairs of Stainless Steel Components in Refinery

Abstract

Stainless steels (SS) possess excellent corrosion, creep and high temperature oxidation resistance and are invariably used in refinery for construction of heater tubes, tube supports, Heat exchanger bundles, piping and internal lining of pressure vessels. Ferritic stainless steel type 405 is used for column strip-lining, martensitic stainless steel type 410 is used for column trays and heater tubes and austenitic stainless steel family is used very extensively for lining, piping, heat exchanger, heater tubes and tube supports. On-stream and turnaround condition monitoring of plant and equipment are carried out for health assessment and mitigation of premature failure. However, catastrophic failures of stainless steel due to stress corrosion cracking, thermal fatigue and stress relaxation cracking are encountered in addition to bulging and cracking of strip-lining. Field repairs of these components are required to be done. Stainless steels are difficult to weld due to low thermal conductivity, higher coefficient of thermal expansion, fissuring and solidification cracking problem during welding. Lower heat input and fast cooling facilitate the welding process. Welding of service exposed stainless steels is more challenging, as it has already undergone metallurgical degradation. Welding of stainless steels is carried out using TIG and SMAW process with matching electrode after establishing the welding specification procedures and welders qualification. Field repairs of stainless steels components are also attempted with original procedures and in case of difficulties, a buttering layer of inconel (ERNiCr3) or ER 309Mo is provided on the welding surface before using matching electrodes. Quality assurance of weld joint is ensured by stage-wise inspection and non-destructive testing. Dye penetrant test of root run and radiographic examination of final weld joint are most common. Post weld heat treatment is done as per code requirement. This Paper highlights three case studies on field repairs of stainless steel components in refinery. 1. Welding procedure followed for repair of bulged and cracked SS 316 strip-lining and cladding on carbon steel backing material. It is a dissimilar welding of SS 316L with degraded carbon steel. 2. Field welding of SS 347 Piping components, which has undergone thermal relaxation cracking at fillet joints. 3. Welding repair of SS 310 cast heater tube support conforming to A 297 Gr HK 40. The Paper also presents brief failure analysis with reasons and remedies.