Page 9 - Handbook of Materials Failure Analysis

CHAPTER

Progressive failures of

components in chemical 1

process industry: Case

history investigation and

root-cause analysis

George A. Pantazopoulos*, Pandora P. Psyllaki †
ELKEME Hellenic Research Centre for Metals S.A., Athens, Greece *
Piraeus University of Applied Sciences, Egaleo, Greece †

CHAPTER OUTLINE
1 Overview of Failure Mechanisms ........................................................................... 1
2 Analytical Techniques .......................................................................................... 4
3 Case Studies ........................................................................................................ 4
3.1 Creep Fracture of a Carbon Steel Superheater Tube Installed in
a Power-Plant Unit ...............................................................................4
3.1.1 Summary ..................................................................................4
3.1.2 Background Information ..............................................................6
3.1.3 Failure Analysis ..........................................................................7
3.1.4 Discussion and Conclusions .......................................................14
3.2 Corrosion Failure of a Stainless Steel Filter Grid Operated in
a Petrochemical Plant ........................................................................15
3.2.1 Summary ................................................................................15
3.2.2 Background Information ............................................................15
3.2.3 Failure Analysis ........................................................................17
3.2.4 Discussion and Conclusion ........................................................21
References .............................................................................................................. 22

1 OVERVIEW OF FAILURE MECHANISMS
Failure analysis is a structured procedure that can be implemented using a process-
based approach aiming to determine the damage mechanisms, discover the root-
cause(s), and outline the corrective actions, which are necessary precursors for
the improvement of a system [1]. This is an approach common in almost every

Handbook of Materials Failure Analysis With Case Studies from the Chemicals, Concrete, and Power Industries. 1
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-100116-5.00001-6
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