Why after years & years of service we have started experience amine stress corrosion cracking in our piping?
And where else should we be looking for similar damage to occur?
Should inspection go beyond piping to pressure containments including vessels, exchangers?
Amine Stress Corrosion Cracking
Re: Amine Stress Corrosion Cracking
Yes. If you have confirmed or strongly suspect Amine Stress Corrosion Cracking (ASCC) in piping after many years of trouble-free operation, the investigation should extend beyond the affected line. ASCC is often a plant-wide degradation mechanism rather than an isolated piping problem.
Re: Amine Stress Corrosion Cracking
Yes. Once ASCC is confirmed, the damage mechanism review should encompass the entire amine circuit, including:
All carbon steel piping in lean and rich amine service.
Pressure vessels (absorbers, regenerators, flash drums, accumulators).
Heat exchangers handling amine.
Pump and valve welds.
Small-bore connections and instrument nozzles.
Recent modifications and tie-ins.
High-stress supports, anchors, and expansion restraint locations.
The inspection scope should be risk-based, prioritizing components with:
Higher operating temperatures.
Higher H2S or CO2 loading.
Welded construction.
High residual or operational stresses.
Older equipment and a history of repairs or modifications.
All carbon steel piping in lean and rich amine service.
Pressure vessels (absorbers, regenerators, flash drums, accumulators).
Heat exchangers handling amine.
Pump and valve welds.
Small-bore connections and instrument nozzles.
Recent modifications and tie-ins.
High-stress supports, anchors, and expansion restraint locations.
The inspection scope should be risk-based, prioritizing components with:
Higher operating temperatures.
Higher H2S or CO2 loading.
Welded construction.
High residual or operational stresses.
Older equipment and a history of repairs or modifications.