Conference Papers
An incident occurred at a Nitric Acid Plant when a failed 18-inch (457mm) diameter 304L stainless steel pipe connecting the Converter to the Tail Gas Catalytic Reactor ruptured. The rupture resulted in thrown fragments and some damage to equipment in the vicinity of the pipe. Normally, pipe operating conditions are about 80 psig (0.55 MPa) and 850 to 900 °F (454 to 482 °C), and the nominal thickness of the pipe was 0.180-inch (0.46mm). This article summarizes the discovery of a very unusual condition of intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) due to sensitization of the low carbon stainless steel used in manufacture of the pipe. The lessons learned from this failure investigation are vital to those who use stainless steel in Tail Gas systems.
As the biofuels industry continues to expand in support of global decarbonization mandates and objectives, facility owners and developers are being challenged to balance production efficiency, operational reliability, and personnel safety.
As high hazard facilities, biofuels sites should focus on developing a fire protections strategy informed by performance-based analysis so strategies implemented meet the unique challenges found at each facility.
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