This paper presents failure investigation on reheater pendent SA213-T22 tubes through visual inspections, steam-side scale and tube wall thickness measurements, metallurgical examinations, and creep analysis. The investigations were carried out following subsequent tube failures of the reheater pendent region of a boiler unit. Interaction event of significant internal scale formation causing the higher metal temperature and external scale exfoliation as a result of high-temperature corrosion is identified to cause the failure of the reheater pendent tube. Prevention actions are recommended to avoid similar failures in the future.

Issue Section:
Materials and Fabrication
Keywords:
boilers, corrosion, creep, failure analysis, inspection, metallurgy, pipes, preventive maintenance, thickness measurement, reheater pendent tube, scale exfoliation, scale formation, metallurgical examination, visual inspection
Topics:
Boilers, Corrosion, Creep, Failure, Incrustations, Inspection, Metals, Steam, Temperature, Wall thickness, High temperature, Rupture

References

1.
Port
,
R. D.
, and
Herro
,
H. M.
, 1991,
The NALCO Guide to Boiler Failure Analysis
,
Nalco Chemical Company/McGraw-Hill Inc.
,
New York
.
2.
French
,
D. N.
, 2000,
Metallurgical Failures in Fossil Fired Boilers
,
A Wiley-Interscience Publication/John Wiley & Sons Inc.
,
New York
.
3.
Jones
,
D. R. H.
, 2004, “
Creep Failures of Overheated Boiler, Superheater and Reformer Tubes
,”
Eng. Failure Anal.
,
11
, pp.
873
–
893
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
4.
Purbolaksono
,
J.
,
Hong
,
Y. W.
,
Nor
S. S. M.
,
Othman
,
H.
, and
Ahmad
,
B.
, 2009, “
Evaluation on Reheater Tube Failure
,”
Eng. Failure Anal.
,
16
(
1
), pp.
533
–
537
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
5.
Ennis
,
P. J.
, and
Quadakkers
,
W. J.
, 2007, “
Implications of Steam Oxidation for the Service Life of High-Strength Martensitic Steel Components in High-Temperature Plant
,”
Int. J. Pressure Vessels Piping
,
84
, pp.
82
–
87
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
6.
Ranjbar
,
K.
, 2006, “
Failure Analysis of Boiler Cold and Hot Reheater Tubes
,”
Eng. Failure Anal.
,
14
, pp.
620
–
625
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
7.
Rehn
,
I. M.
,
Apblett
,
W. R.
, Jr., and
Stringer
,
J.
, 1981, “
Controlling Steamside Oxide Exfoliation in Utility Boiler Superheaters and Reheaters
,”
Mater. Perform.
,
20
(
6
), pp.
27
–
31
.
8.
Smith
,
G. V.
, 1971, “
Supplemental Report on the Elevated Temperature Properties of Chromium Molybdenum Steels
,”
Metal Properties Council
,
ASTM data series, American Society for Testing and Materials
,
Philadelphia
, DS 6S1.
9.
Basu
,
F.
, 2006,
Combustion and Gasification in Fluidized Beds
,
Taylor & Francis
,
Boca Raton
.
Copyright © 2011
 by American Society of Mechanical Engineers
You do not currently have access to this content.