Search
Filters
Close

Save 20% on select titles with code HIDDEN24 - Shop The Sale Now

01531 METALLURGICAL EVALUATION OF A BULGED FCC REACTOR

Product Number: 51300-01531-SG
ISBN: 01531 2001 CP
Author: Gordon P. Kallenberg
$0.00
$20.00
$20.00
A Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) reactor in service at a petroleum refinery perforated in 1998 while operating under steady-state conditions. While the perforation was confined to a small area, a fire resulted from the release of hydrocarbons. Inspection of the reactor after the fire revealed a noticeable bulge over an extensive area near the top of the reactor shell. Local melting of the shell, resulting from the unintentional burning of coke deposit within the vessel, was determined to be the root cause of perforation. The internal burning resulted from the local buildup of coke between the shell I.D. surface and an adjacent cyclone, and the introduction of air from a nearby purge orifice associated with an instrument tap. Bulging took place due to the loss of strength as local temperatures reached the melting point of the metal and high thermal strains and thermal expansion due to the temperature excursion. Metallurgical changes associated with the event included microstructural transformation products, carburization and graphitization of the shell, and incipient melting of the shell at areas of prior graphitization. Creep damage to the microstructure that would have indicated that the reactor was unfit for continued service was not observed. The reactor was returned to service after the bulged section was replaced, all coke buildup removed, and the cyclone and refractory repaired. Keywords: FCC reactor, perforation, incipient melting, carburization, graphitization, coke buildup, high-temperature equipment, fire damage
A Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) reactor in service at a petroleum refinery perforated in 1998 while operating under steady-state conditions. While the perforation was confined to a small area, a fire resulted from the release of hydrocarbons. Inspection of the reactor after the fire revealed a noticeable bulge over an extensive area near the top of the reactor shell. Local melting of the shell, resulting from the unintentional burning of coke deposit within the vessel, was determined to be the root cause of perforation. The internal burning resulted from the local buildup of coke between the shell I.D. surface and an adjacent cyclone, and the introduction of air from a nearby purge orifice associated with an instrument tap. Bulging took place due to the loss of strength as local temperatures reached the melting point of the metal and high thermal strains and thermal expansion due to the temperature excursion. Metallurgical changes associated with the event included microstructural transformation products, carburization and graphitization of the shell, and incipient melting of the shell at areas of prior graphitization. Creep damage to the microstructure that would have indicated that the reactor was unfit for continued service was not observed. The reactor was returned to service after the bulged section was replaced, all coke buildup removed, and the cyclone and refractory repaired. Keywords: FCC reactor, perforation, incipient melting, carburization, graphitization, coke buildup, high-temperature equipment, fire damage
PRICE BREAKS - The more you buy, the more you save
Quantity
1+
5+
Price
$20.00
$20.00
Product tags
Also Purchased
Picture for Cracking of Metallic Bellows in Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) Units
Available for download

51313-02430-Cracking of Metallic Bellows in Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) Units

Product Number: 51313-02430-SG
ISBN: 02430 2013 CP
Author: Masashi Takeda
Publication Date: 2013
$20.00
Picture for 10273 Erosion Corrosion of SS316L Trays in FCC's Sour Water Stripper
Available for download

10273 Erosion Corrosion of SS316L Trays in FCC's Sour Water Stripper

Product Number: 51300-10273-SG
ISBN: 10273 2010 CP
Author: Saad Al-Dhafiri, Deepak Rawtal & Laxma Reddy
Publication Date: 2010
$20.00