Longitudinal Seam Welded Piping Assessment in Refinery Reformer Units

Creep is progressive deformation of material over an extended period when exposed to elevated temperature and stresses below the yield strength. Poor Creep ductility and cracking can be a problem above 900 °F (482°C) in the HAZ of low alloy (Cr-Mo) steel. High stress areas, including supports, hangers and fittings are more vulnerable to cracking. Creep cracking has occurred in longitudinal pipe welds with excessive peaking or welds with poor quality. Numerous incidents of cracking in low alloy (Cr-Mo) steel have been reported in the power industry and in refineries with major concern in longitudinal seam welds as well as highly stressed welds in reactors-heaters interconnecting piping. This paper presents the results of an assessment performed on reactors-heaters interconnecting piping in a catalytic reformer unit with a maximum operating temperature of about 950 °F (510 °C) at 250 psig (1.7 MPa) (> 40 years in-service). Comprehensive inspection including visual, dye penetrant testing, thickness measurements and peaking measurements have been performed. Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) was utilized to detect crack-like defects and flaws. Detailed pipe stress analysis and finite element analyses (FEA) were also performed.

A cyclically actuated electrolytic drug delivery device

This work, focusing on an implantable drug delivery system, presents the first prototype electrolytic pump that combines a catalytic reformer and a cyclically actuated mode.

Case History Fitness-for-Service Assessment of Cyclic Catalytic Reformer Motor Operated Valves in the Petrochemical Industry

Reactors of cyclic catalytic reformers require catalyst regeneration about every 7 days (∼50 cycles per year). To facilitate the in situ regeneration, large diameter motor operated valves (MOV) are used (typically Class 600 NPS 8 to NPS 16 API 600 gate block valves). Double block-n-bleed arrangements of the MOVs are used to assure isolation of the 350 psig 960°F process and regeneration media. The regeneration MOVs will be closed and in isolation for up to 4 days and can reach temperatures close to ambient depending on their distance from the process flow. Once the MOVs are swung open, the valve body quickly transitions from ambient temperature to 960°F over a matter of minutes. Such an extreme thermal shock has historically led to a number of cracks in the MOV valve bodies. With each unit having over 50 MOVs, it becomes expensive and time consuming to open every MOV at a scheduled turnaround, inspect, and repair any cracking noticed.