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Hydrogen Bake Out
Hydrogen Bake Out
We already know the presence of atomic hydrogen in weld pool will lead to
cracking problems during and after welding. The chance of cracking
increases if the base metal already contains hydrogen. It can happen if the
vessel is exposed to high temperature high pressure hydrogen service or as
result of aqueous corrosion (like wet H2S corrosion or Hydrogen
embrittlement). In such cases a hydrogen bake-out (out-gassing) of base
metal is always advisable.
The rules given in API 510 for local PWHT and CDW for local heating can be applied for
hydrogen bake-out too. Temperature shall be monitored by a suitable number of
thermocouples -at least two (API 510-2014 Art 8.1.7.4.2).
The preheat temperature shall be checked to assure that 4 in. (100 mm) of the material
or four times the material thickness (whichever is greater) on each side of the weld joint
will be maintained at the minimum temperature during welding. When the weld does not
penetrate through the full thickness of the material, the minimum preheat temperature
need only be maintained at a distance of 4 in. (100 mm) or four times the depth
of the repair weld, whichever is greater on each side of the joint (API 510-2014 Art
8.1.7.4.3.3 f.5). Usually we ensure the bake-out temperature on each side of weld joint
for a length of 6 inch.
There are many factors which affects the duration and temperature of hydrogen bake
out. Procedure usually followed is heating to a temperature of 300 deg C (API 571-2011
Art 4.5.6.6 says 200 deg C or higher) and holding for 4 hours. If it is not effective, a
second stage heating to metals PWHT temperature and holding for 1 hour or less will
be effective.
Usually time is the major constrain during in-service pressure vessel welding since most
of the repairs will be carried out during plant shutdowns. So in olden times hydrogen
bake-out was often undervalued/ignored while developing WPS for in-service welding.
But presently hydrogen bake-out is viewed as one of the major factor in reducing the
problems associated with delayed cracking during the welding of in-service pressure
vessels exposed to hydrogen service.