ASM Failure Analysis Case Histories: Oil and Gas Production Equipment
Failure of a Transfer Line on an Ethane Cracking Furnace Due to Sulfidation
-
Published:2019
Abstract
An Incoloy 800H (UNS N08810) transfer line on the outlet of an ethane-cracking furnace failed during decoking of the furnace tubes after nine years in service. A metallographic examination using optical and scanning electron microscopy as well as energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy revealed that the failure was due to sulfidation. The source of the sulfur in the furnace effluent was either dimethyl disulfide, injected into the furnace feed to prevent coke formation and carburization of the furnace tubes, or contamination of the feed with sulfur bearing oil.
Sign in
ASM members
Member Sign InR. Bradley, S. Ahmad, Failure of a Transfer Line on an Ethane Cracking Furnace Due to Sulfidation, ASM Failure Analysis Case Histories: Oil and Gas Production Equipment, ASM International, 2019, https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.fach.petrol.c9001638
Download citation file:
Join ASM International
Being a member of the world’s largest association of materials professionals provides the benefits and resources you need to accomplish your personal and professional goals.