Localized deep pitting is considered difficult to precisely measure and evaluate using simple inspection techniques and ordinary analysis approaches. Meanwhile, if not effectively evaluated, it could lead to disastrous consequences since its depth normally appeaxs less than it really is. As a case study, carbon steel heat exchangers in a typical fresh cooling water environment were expected to serve under normal operating conditions for at least twelve years. However, two exchangers in service for less than one year had experienced significant failure indications related to severe localized deep pitting. This was mainly attributed to an under-deposit corrosion phenomenon inside tubes propagated by improper monitoring and a peculiar change in the cooling water treatment. To effectively and precisely evaluate the encountered pitting damage, a simple measurement and analyses approach was devised. In this paper, the pitting measurement technique and the damage evaluation approach are presented and discussed in detail.
Keywords: pitting, pitting measurement, under-deposit corrosion, heat exchangers, cooling water, statistical analysis.