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51318-11059- Review of a UNS N04400 Heat Exchanger Tube Failure in Cooling Water Service

A polyethylene unit experienced a gas leak within a high pressure tube and shell heat exchanger. Failure analysis revealed that the tube wall loss was beneath residual deposits. Preventative measures and improvements in inspection & cleaning procedures are discussed.

 

 

Product Number: 51318-11059-SG
Author: Mel Esmacher / Kumar Kembaiyan / Tony Navarrete / Andrew Rentsch
Publication Date: 2018
$0.00
$20.00
$20.00

A polyethylene unit experienced an ethylene gas leak within a high pressure tube and shell heat exchanger resulting from water side corrosion of UNS N04400 (Monel Alloy) tubes. To address historical water side exchanger fouling issues, the cooling tower was transitioned to a polymeric dispersant program capable of handling higher stressed chemistry. A failure analysis revealed that tube wall loss was localized to areas beneath residual deposits that had accumulated at baffle plates. This paper discusses the conditions resulting in an oxidizing salt driven under-deposit corrosion mechanism of UNS N04400 tubes in cooling tower water service. Preventative measures and improvements in inspection and cleaning procedures are discussed.

Key words: Pitting, Under-Deposit Crevice Corrosion, Heat Exchanger, Polyethylene Process, Monel 400 Corrosion, Cooling Water

A polyethylene unit experienced an ethylene gas leak within a high pressure tube and shell heat exchanger resulting from water side corrosion of UNS N04400 (Monel Alloy) tubes. To address historical water side exchanger fouling issues, the cooling tower was transitioned to a polymeric dispersant program capable of handling higher stressed chemistry. A failure analysis revealed that tube wall loss was localized to areas beneath residual deposits that had accumulated at baffle plates. This paper discusses the conditions resulting in an oxidizing salt driven under-deposit corrosion mechanism of UNS N04400 tubes in cooling tower water service. Preventative measures and improvements in inspection and cleaning procedures are discussed.

Key words: Pitting, Under-Deposit Crevice Corrosion, Heat Exchanger, Polyethylene Process, Monel 400 Corrosion, Cooling Water

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