TECHNICAL

ALERT
CONSULTING SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: Defective Douglas Chero
ALERT NO:
DATE:
Valves HD527001 (Italy)
005/01
07/02/01
SUMMARY:

Valve vendor Douglas Chero (vendor ID # HD527001 Italy mainly approved for 2 and
less) was placed on hold. A number of Douglas Chero valves were labeled to have
410 SS internals and meet the NACE hardness requirements for 410 SS (22 HRC
max.). Six DC valves were tested for trim (valve internals) verification. The test
revealed that the trim of five out of the six valves did not meet the NACE hardness
requirement. Thus, Douglas Chero valves may be defective and substandard. Using
these DC substandard valves in sour services applications could lead to a premature
valve trim failure and cause the defective valves to pass.
BACKGROUND:
RT Inspection reported discrepancy between small valves received from SAMS stock
through two stock numbers (1/2 stock # 04-237-622-00 and 1 stock # 04-237-60400) to be installed in sour service for plant J06. Six NACE Douglas Chero valves were
randomly selected and tested for verification. The test revealed that the hardness
levels of five (5) valves exceeded the maximum hardness of 22 HRC specified for 410
SS in NACE standard TM0175 and hence these valves are susceptible to sulfide
stress cracking in sour services.
Therefore Douglas Chero (HD527001 Italy) was placed on hold till this issue is
resolved. Instructions for dealing with the suspect DC valves depending on the service
conditions are provided below.

RECOMMENDATION:
Based on the above, we recommend that the following measures be taken:
?

All Douglas Chero valves, including new valves from SAMS stock or direct
charge that have any trim other than Trim 12 (316 SS) shall not be used for sour
service, regardless of whether the valve identification indicates NACE
compliance or not. These valves should be identified and returned to the
Storehouse for full credit. If any of these valves is installed in sour service, they
shall be monitored and replaced accordingly. Failure of these suspect valves
could cause the valve to pass.

Existing Douglas Chero carbon steel valves originally installed and having Trim
12 (316 SS) are suitable for sour service and do not need to be replaced.

Douglas Chero valves with Trim 8 (410 SS) may be used for general (non-sour)
hydrocarbon services.

All Douglas Chero valves removed from service shall be shipped to Dhahran
Claims for full credit.

All suspect Douglas Chero valves shall be identified, segregated and placed in
holding locations to be replaced by the vendor.

If you have any questions, please call Saad M. Al-Shiha on 873-3658, Omar Al-Amri
875-6409, Tom Doody on 874-6124 or Tariq Al-Nuaim on 873-6700.