Reformer-Furnaces - Ammonia Refienry CRU Material-Damage-Mechanism-and-Assessment 1 PDF

Tito Luiz da Silveira and Iain Le May
REFORMER FURNACES: MATERIALS, DAMAGE

MECHANISMS, AND ASSESSMENT
Tito Luiz da Silveira
Tito Silveira Engenharia e Consultaria Ltda
Rua Couto de Magalhães, 744
20930-090 Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Brazil
and Iain Le May *
Metallurgical Consulting Services Ltd.
Saskatoon, Canada
:‫اﻟﺨﻼﺻـﺔ‬
‫ وﺳﻮف ﻧﻌﺮض‬.‫ﻳُﻌﺘﺒﺮ ﺗﻘﻴﻴﻢ اﻟﺘﻠﻒ ﻓﻲ اﻓﺮان اﻟﺘــﱠﺤﻮل ﻣﻦ اﻷﻣﻮر اﻟﻬﺎﻣﺔ ﻓﻲ ﺗﺤﺪﻳﺪ ﻋـُﻤﺮ اﻟﺨﺪﻣﺔ ﻟﻬﺬﻩ اﻷﻓﺮان‬
‫ وه ﺬﻩ ﺗـ ـُﻌﺘﺒﺮ ﻃﺮﻳﻘ ﺔ ﺳ ﻬﻠﺔ وﻣﻌﻘﻮﻟ ﺔ‬،‫ وﻧﻘﺪم اﻟﻤﻨﺤﻨﻴﺎت اﻟﻤﻤﻴﱢﺰﻩ ﻟﺘﻘﻴﻴﻢ اﻟﺘﻠﻒ‬،‫ﻓﻲ هﺬا اﻟﺒﺤﺚ ﻃﺮق ﺗﻘﻴﻴﻢ هﺬا اﻟﺘﻠﻒ‬
‫ﻻ ﻟﺤﺎﻟﺔ درﺳ ﻨﺎهﺎ ﻟﺘﺤﺪﻳ ﺪ اﻟﻌﻤ ﺮ‬
ً ‫ وﺳﻮف ﻧﻌﺮض أﻳﻀًﺎ ﻣﺜﺎ‬.‫ﻟﺘﻘﻴﻴﻢ ﻣﺪى اﻟﺘﻠﻒ اﻟﻨﺎﺗﺞ ﻓﻲ أﻓﺮان اﻟﺘﺤﻮل ذات اﻷﻧﺒﻮب‬
.‫اﻟﻤﺘﺒﻘﻲ ﻻﺳﺘﺨﺪام هﺬا اﻟﻔﺮن ﻋﻦ ﻃﺮﻳﻖ دراﺳﺔ ﺗﺸﻘﻘﺎت اﻟﺠﺪران وذﻟﻚ ﺑﺎﺳﺘﺨﺪام ﻣﻴﻜﺎﻧﻴﻜﻴﺔ اﻟﺘﺸﻘﻖ ﻏﻴﺮ اﻟﺨﻄﻴﺔ‬
* Address for correspondence:

P.O. Box 5006, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7K 4E3
Tel: (1-306) 934-9191
e-mail: lemayi@metallurgicalconsulting.net
Paper Received 17 April, 2006
December 2006 The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Volume 31, Number 2C 99
ABSTRACT
The assessment of damage in reformer furnaces is an important factor in
determining their remaining safe life. In this paper the methodology of damage
assessment is reviewed, and the concept of characteristic curves to assess damage is
introduced: this provides a simplified procedure to give a realistic estimate of the
extent of damage and the remaining life of reformer furnace tubes. An example is
also given of a case study to determine remaining life in the presence of a part-
through-wall crack in a component in the header of a reformer furnace using a non-
linear fracture mechanics approach.
Key words: reformer furnaces; high temperature materials; damage mechanisms;
damage assessment; inspection; remaining life prediction
100 The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Volume 31, Number 2C December 2006
REFORMER FURNACES: MATERIALS, DAMAGE MECHANISMS, AND ASSESSMENT
INTRODUCTION
Reformer furnaces are used widely in the petrochemical industry to produce hydrogen from hydrocarbons. The
hydrogen production takes place in radiant tubes containing a catalyst, as a result of endothermic reactions between
hydrocarbons (mostly methane) and water vapor.
The design of reformer furnaces has improved greatly over the past 30 years. New alloys and manufacturing
processes have been developed to meet the severe requirements imposed on the tubes in the radiation zone and in the hot
reaction gas outlet. There has been improvement in catalysts to provide lower reaction temperatures. However, at the
same time, there has been a trend towards increased temperature and pressure to achieve further increases in production
and efficiency.
Figure 1 shows the arrangement of a typical small or medium sized furnace with the reformer columns, which contain
the catalyst, arranged in the form of two vertical walls. The number of columns varies between 15 and 200, depending
on the number and size of the walls. Most modern furnaces are of the top-fired type with burners disposed in rows on
both sides of the columns, while older furnaces may be of the side-fired type with burners distributed in two or more
layers. The columns receive the charge through the inlet pigtails of Cr–Mo low alloy steel above the roof of the radiation
chamber. The pigtails have a shape that provides flexibility to accommodate the axial displacement of the horizontal
inlet manifold and of the vertical columns produced by thermal expansion.
Figure 1. Schematic view of a top fired reformer furnace
The columns are suspended through the use of counterweights or hangers. Depending on the design, a fraction of the
weight of the columns is transmitted to the furnace structure at their lower ends. The reaction gas leaves the columns
through the outlet pigtails, connecting to the outlet manifold. The outlet pigtails provide flexibility to compensate for
their thermal expansion and the thermal expansion in the horizontal outlet manifold. From the outlet manifold, the
reaction gas flows through a transition piece to the recovery boiler, where it is cooled, producing saturated steam. In
some furnaces the transition piece is welded to one extremity of the outlet manifold: in others there is a tee in the middle
of the outlet manifold and the transition piece is welded to it. This starts as a cone of the same material as the manifold.
A refractory is applied to the internal surface in such a way that the flow cross section remains the same as that of the
outlet manifold. The wall temperature falls as the refractory thickness increases, permitting the use of carbon steel in the
last part of the transition piece. In some furnaces the hot piping below the floor is kept inside an insulated chamber; in
others, the insulation is applied directly on the pipes.
HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS AND COMPONENTS
The working pressure in a reformer furnace is between 1 and 5 MPa depending on the process and is essentially
constant during operation. The temperature of the charge in the inlet manifold is between 420 and 550°C. This is the
wall temperature of the column segment in the furnace roof. The temperature of the reaction gas in the pipes below the
floor of the furnace is between 800 and 900°C.
Figure 2. Temperature distribution in the radiation zone for several reformer furnaces based on metallographic observations
Figure 3. As-cast microstructure of centrifugally cast 25Cr–35Ni steel, showing dendritic carbides within an austenitic matrix.
From de Almeida et al. [4]
The wall temperature of the columns depends on several factors. One is the burner regulation, which may deviate
with time. There is a loss of activity of the catalyst during its life cycle and, to compensate for this effect, the wall
temperature may be increased. As the catalyst ages, there is a trend to form a preferred path for gas flow through the
catalyst bed. Thus, cooling is not uniform over the column cross section, and hotter (and brighter) areas appear on its
external surface in the form of a giraffe neck pattern, as observed through the furnace windows. There are cases of
increased severity where the hotter zones have a ring like shape known as a tiger tail. These aspects are noted to call
attention to the diversity and complexity of the variables that affect the column wall temperature. It is virtually
impossible to foresee the column wall temperature in the radiation chamber with reasonable precision based on design
models. Figure 2 [1] illustrates the temperature distribution in the radiation zone for several furnaces based on
metallographic observations, the methodology of which is outlined below. It is apparent that there is a consistent trend
towards the production of a maximum wall temperature in the lower half of the radiation chamber during service. In
several cases this is estimated to be greater than 1000°C. Field experience shows that skin temperature measurements
based on thermography are in error as they indicate maximum readings more in the direction of the burners.
The dimensions of the columns vary between 10 and 15 m in height, 100 to 200 mm diameter, and 10 to 25 mm wall
thickness. The design is for a nominal life of 100 000 h (11.4 years) on the basis of API Recommended Practice 530 [2].
The length of a normal campaign for a reformer furnace may vary from 12 to 36 months (8 760 to 26 300 h). However,
the useful service life is found to range from around 30 000 to 150 000 h, depending on the actual operating conditions
and the characteristics of the particular material.
Column Materials
The most critical components of a reformer furnace are the columns. It is expensive and difficult to replace or repair
these, whereas other components can be repaired or replaced more easily. Because of the extreme temperature
conditions, highly alloyed steels are required, and as strength is increased, generally ductility and toughness decrease.
The alloys used are not easily drawn or extruded, thus cast structures are used. Centrifugal casting is now generally used
as the structure is more even and the grains are oriented in a radial direction, providing greater strength and creep
resistance.
Figure 4. Light optical micros of as-cast modified HP alloys: (a) HP–Nb; (b) HP–Nb–Ti. From de Almeida et al. [4]
The alloys commonly used are Cr–Ni stainless steels. Formerly a preferred composition was 25Cr, 20Ni, 0.4C,
designated as HK-40 [3], but with increase in operating temperature HP-40 material (25Cr, 35Ni, 0.4C) has become
more common. In order to have long-time strength at high temperature, the austenitic Cr–Ni matrix of these alloys is
strengthened through a dispersion of hard deformation-resistant carbide particles. In the as-cast condition there is a
network of primary carbides along grain boundaries, lying in a dendritic pattern, as shown in Figure 3 [4]. When in
service at high temperature, a distribution of fine secondary carbides is formed in an interdendritic manner, at the same
time the primary carbides dissolve. High temperature strength (resistance to deformation) depends on a distribution of
fine, strong, and stable particles. Unfortunately, there is always a tendency for particles to coarsen during high
temperature service to minimize surface energy, and diffusion takes place to facilitate this – the higher the temperature
the faster the diffusion occurs. Thus there is a need to stabilize the fine dispersion of particles. This has been achieved to
an extent by modifying the HP composition by the addition of Nb and other carbide-stabilizing elements. Titanium (up to
approximately 0.8%) and yttrium (approximately 0.3%) have been experimented with in the form of small additions.
Titanium appears to have a similar beneficial effect to that of niobium while yttrium appears to contribute to high
temperature strength through fragmentation of the chromium carbides [5–7].
Figure 4 illustrates the as-cast structure of HP-40 at higher magnification, illustrating the dendritic carbide network.
It may be seen that the dendritic network is less continuous with the presence of titanium (0.04%). Note also the absence
of secondary precipitation in the austenite matrix. Upon ageing (900˚C for 1000 h), widespread secondary precipitation
is seen (Figure 5) [4].
The centrifugal casting process causes the partition of elements through the thickness of the wall of the column
segments. The effect of small yttrium additions results in a duplex structure; that is: elongated grains near the outer
surface and finer grains at the inner surface as shown in Figure 6 [5]. Such a structure is potentially beneficial as the
radial elongated grain structure is very creep resistant, while the fine interior grain structure is resistant to carburization
reactions occurring within the furnace tubes. Figure 7 illustrates the microstructure of this material, showing massive
carbides near the outer surface and fragmented carbides near the inner surface [5].
Figure 5. Light optical figures of modified HP alloys in aged condition: (a) HP–Nb; (b) HP–Nb–Ti. From de Almeida et al.
[4]
Figure 6. Micrograph of the centrifugally cast structure of a column with yttrium addition, showing the duplex microstructure.
From Noronha et al. [5]
The progressive changes in microstructure during service at high temperature are illustrated in Figure 8 [1], which
shows the microstructure of an HK alloy. The effects shown are also typical for HP alloys. The development of the
microstructural changes shown will be referred to further and in more detail when damage assessment is discussed.
Several proprietary alloys have been developed from these compositions [8], and the use of dispersions of oxide
particles have been tried. In principle, these can provide a more stable microstructure for creep resistance than a
dispersion of secondary carbides as they will not go into solution in the austenite matrix as do the carbides.
As already indicated, owing to the poor workability of these alloys, the columns are spindle-cast in segments 2 to 5 m
long, internally machined and welded together. The lower extremity, which leads to the outlet pigtail, is sand-cast in the
same material as used for the tube segments. The upper end has a flange in low alloy steel with a dissimilar metal weld.
As a result, a reformer column contains at least one, and generally two or three butt welds within the radiation zone of
the furnace.
Figure 7. Microstructure of yttrium-containing HP modified steel: left – massive carbides near external surface; right –
fragmented carbides near inner surface. From Noronha et al. [5]
Figure 8. The state or condition of aging during extended service for HK40 steel. Specimens were taken transverse to the axis,
mechanically polished and etched in aqua regia saturated with CuCl2. They were all taken close to the inner tube surface. The
samples shown were from a single tube exposed to 6.9×104 h of service. (a) Top left – state I; (b) top middle – state II; (c) top
right – state III; (d) bottom left – state IV; (e) middle right – state V; and (f) bottom right – state VI. Note that the dark cavities
in (e) and (f) are indications of creep damage occurring at higher temperatures. From Le May et al. [1]
The outlet pigtails and manifold require materials whose properties are a compromise between long-term high-
temperature mechanical strength and good ductility after aging. Alloy 800 (20Cr, 32Ni, 0.05C) is the most commonly
used material. The pigtails are made of seamless tube. The outlet manifold may be of seamless pipe or of welded
spindle-cast segments.
DAMAGE MECHANISMS
Table 1 summarizes the most relevant mechanisms of damage accumulation that dictate the extinction of life in
reformer columns, outlet pigtails, and outlet manifolds, based on extensive observations of failed components [9]. The
table also shows the preferential sites for damage accumulation and the damage morphology.
Table 1. Mechanisms for Life Extinction
Reformer Columns
Mechanism Damage Site
Aligned creep voids and multiple cracks start in
Sections in the hotter segment of the reformer
Creep the inner third of the wall, longitudinally oriented
column.
with respect to the column.
A main crack propagates at the centre line of the

Centre line of the weld deposit of the welds
weld deposit starting in the inner third of the wall.
between cast segments. The most susceptible welds
Microcracks and aligned creep voids are
are in the upper third of the columns.
distributed parallel to the crack.
Creep at welds Aligned creep voids and cracks start close to the
Heat affected zone of the butt welds between
column internal surface. Cracks are oriented
spindle cast segments. They appear in the upper
transverse to the column. The fusion line acts as a
third of the columns.
barrier to crack propagation.
The offset may correspond to several column

May be distributed over the complete length of the
Creep buckling diameters. The offset may divert the column
column or concentrated in one part.
towards its neighbours or the furnace wall.
Scale formation, growth of interdendritic carbides Internal surface of the hotter segment of the
Carburization
and carbide precipitation in the austenitic matrix. reformer column.
Outlet Pigtails
Aligned creep voids and multiple cracks
The complete pigtail length. In some cases damage
Creep longitudinally oriented, nucleated at the external
is localized at the external radius of bends.
surface of the pigtail.
Scale formation, loss of thickness, and gross
Carburization microstructural changes, with loss of ductility. Internal surface.
Low cycle, high Very localized cracking due to stress
Joint between pigtail and outlet header. May also
temperature concentration, usually nucleated from wedge
occur at the joint between pigtail and reformer
creep-fatigue crack type creep damage due to grain boundary
column.
sliding.
Outlet Headers
Creep Aligned creep voids and multiple microcracks May be localized in one segment of the header due
longitudinally oriented at the external surface. to temperature or stress overloads.
When the header is poorly supported damage may
be transverse due to bending.
Multiple microcracks and aligned creep damage Joint between the header and the tee that leads to
Low cycle, high very localized in the stress concentration zone. the transition piece or between the header and the
temperature transition piece where they are welded together.
Usually in small lengths of the joint perimeter,
creep-fatigue
following maximum tensile stress due to bending.
Damage may occur by grain boundary sliding
with formation of wedge crack cavities: in other
cases, relatively low stress produces cracking
from round creep voids.
For the furnace columns, damage can be by creep, carburization, thermal shock, and accidental overheating, leading
to recrystallization and, in the extreme, to liquation of the eutectic carbides in the heat–resistant cast austenitic alloys.
On other occasions tubes may suffer gross distortion that, in extreme cases, can interfere with the fitness-for-purpose of
the furnace. The effect of such distortions is to bring tubes locally closer together, such that there are local hot spots,
arising from the reduction in radial heat loss from the tubes containing the catalyst.
The most important damage mechanism leading to life extinction of the columns is creep, and the effect of increased
local temperature causes a dramatic reduction in life because of this, as shown in Figure 9 [10].
Figure 9. The effect of exceeding the design temperature on the expected life of HK-40 alloy reformer furnace tubes
Figure 10. Microcracks and aligned creep voids in the HAZ at a weld in a reformer column. From da Silveira and Le May [9]
Damage starts in the inner third of the wall, appearing in the form of round voids randomly distributed on dendritic
boundaries. Their preferred orientation is on boundaries perpendicular to the maximum principal tensile stress. At 50%
of the useful life of the column, the boundaries show an alignment of creep voids, but without links between them being
present. After 50% of useful life, an appropriately chosen cross section will show aligned voids and microcracks
produced by their linkage. Some microcracks may reach the internal surface and, conservatively, it may be considered
that the useful life is extinct when the cracks reach the outer half of the wall thickness. Creep damage generally results
in multiple longitudinal cracks.
The basic mechanism involved in causing creep damage is the generation of vacancies (missing atoms) produced
during diffusion of species under stress and deformation on an atomic scale: these vacancies tend to congregate on grain
boundaries forming pores. With many pores formed, there is a loss of cohesive strength on the grain boundaries and
cracks initiate and propagate.
The stress state within the column is complex, but it is apparent that the stress due to internal pressure plays a leading
role in damage accumulation. As internal pressure varies little along the column length, damage concentrates in the
hotter section. The majority of aged reformer tubes that the writer has analyzed have shown damage distributed along
their length, but useful life was controlled by the damage that accumulated in the welds between tube segments situated
in the upper third of their length. The main cracks may be found in the centerline of the weld or in the heat affected zone
(HAZ) as shown in Figures 10 and 11 [9]. These cracks are transverse to the column and are related to the suspended
weight. The location of such welds is towards the top of the furnace.
Figure 11. Longitudinal section through the butt weld of a reformer column showing creep cracking. The inside surface is at
the left. From da Silveira and Le May [9]
The observations of damage distribution may be explained on the basis that welds between spindle-cast segments are
more susceptible to long term creep damage than the parent metal. A weld will only develop longitudinal creep cracks
due to hoop stress if the adjacent parent metal also develops this type of damage. In some cases, where the parent metal
acts as a constraint to creep strain in the weld, this type of damage does not occur. Such constraint does not apply in the
case of axial tensile stress. Because of this, the weld weakness permits the formation of transversely oriented cracks
associated with axial stress, even at higher column sections where the wall temperature is relatively low. When the weld
is not this weak, the dominant creep damage occurs in the parent metal at the hotter section of the column, and the cracks
are longitudinal, as should be the case if controlled by hoop stress.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT OF REFORMER COLUMNS
Analytical methods have been developed to assess reformer column safe life, as the assessment of damage and
advance planning of column replacement should be made to ensure that failures and unplanned shutdowns during a
campaign are avoided. The various analytical methods are discussed briefly later in this paper, but it is very useful to
evaluate the probable extent of damage and remaining life in a particular furnace in a direct manner. A basic problem
with the analytical methods is that there is a large degree of uncertainty involved, and an assumed worst case would
generally give a pessimistic estimate of remaining life. However, the initial use of an analytical method to provide a first
estimate is valuable in identifying if there may be a potential problem and whether a more direct evaluation using
inspection procedures should be made.
Figure 12. Classification of the damage in the wall of a reformer tube, as indicated after metallographic preparation. From
Le May et al. [1]
Figure 12 illustrates the form of the creep damage within a section of a furnace tube and the manner in which it can
be classified [1]. The five levels of damage that are assigned are based on the classification adopted by Neubauer and
Wedel [11] for steam generators, in which damage was ascribed to four different levels, ranging from the formation of
isolated cavities to the presence of macrocracks. The approach adopted by Le May et al. [1] considers Level A as having
no detectable voids, Level B as displaying isolated cavities, Level C having oriented cavities, Level D having
microcracks, and Level E having macrocracks. In this metallographic procedure, the damage is assessed from a furnace
tube removed at the end of a campaign, and chosen to be as representative as possible of the overall condition of the
furnace. Damage is revealed through careful (and repeated) polishing and etching of sections from the tube to emphasize
the damage as indicated by cavities and microcracks as demonstrated by da Silveira and Le May [12]. It is important
that the repeated polish–etch procedure is followed as the voids that may be disclosed are not of significant size up to the
time that separation occurs along boundaries and microcracks are present. The initial mechanism of void formation is
thought to be decohesion at the interface of a precipitate [13], the small gap opening up through the repeated application
of the polish–etch cycles [12, 13].
The voids that are disclosed on tube sections having the form of rings are arranged initially at the dendritic
boundaries approximately one-third in from the inner surface. Their alignment follows a direction normal to the
principal tensile stress. The microcracks that develop propagate to the internal surface to produce leakage. Experience
has shown that the process is sufficiently slow that an effective forecast of the remaining life expectancy can be made by
simple qualitative metallography applied to the cross-sections of an extracted sample tube.
Reformer tubes are fabricated from several spindle-cast segments butt-welded together. Experience has shown that
there are two possible sites for the alignment of the voids. When the weaker link corresponds to the spindle-cast metal,
the alignment and the cracks that follow are arranged in longitudinal planes within the tube. When the weaker link is the
weldment, the alignment may be localized in a plane transverse to the tube axis and lying either in the center of the weld
or within the heat-affected zone. Thus, different levels of creep life consumption can be attributed to different sections
of the reformer tube, based on the distribution of voids and cracks, leading to simple assessment criteria based on the
qualitative observations.
An important point is that the extent of creep damage is seldom distributed evenly around the complete cross-section
of a reformer tube, and this needs to be considered in the sampling procedure for metallographic examination. Complete
sections rather than segments of the tube wall are required for the evaluation.
The microstructures of the cast austenitic stainless steels of the ASTM A297 type, Grades HP, HK or similar, as used
for reformer furnaces, change substantially with aging at high temperature and so do their mechanical properties. For
example, the ductility at ambient temperature falls to the extent that the tensile elongation may be less that 5% for
material aged between 600 and 700ºC. Such behavior is normal and the furnace geometry is such that the limited
ductility does not interfere with the fitness-for-purpose of the tube. Thus the aging process in itself should not be
considered as a process of damage. The changes in microstructure are, however, useful indications of the actual wall
temperature. They may be evaluated by field metallography using replicas or by the more conventional destructive
metallography applied to cross-sections of a sacrificed reformer furnace tube.
The microstructural changes that take place as a result of prolonged exposure to temperature are primarily alterations
in carbide morphology. While time has an influence, the most important factor is temperature, and the microstructures
that result can be correlated closely to the service temperature. The microstructural features that relate to the assessment
of service temperature are shown in Figure 8, and their development is described in the following paragraphs.
Below about 600ºC microstructural changes are not detectable with light microscopy, and this is designated State I of
aging. From 600 to 700ºC the primary carbides tend to coalesce and become blocky: as well, secondary carbides
nucleate in the interior of the austenite matrix, precipitating first along the edges of the dendrite arms. This is termed
State II. Between 700 and 800ºC the primary carbides transform completely from a eutectic morphology to form
compact blocks, and very fine secondary carbides are dispersed throughout the matrix, producing State III of aging.
Between 800 and 900ºC the morphology of the primary carbides stabilizes and the secondary carbides coalesce. Because
of carbon diffusion to the primary carbides, there is a loss of secondary carbides along the dendrite boundaries. This is
termed State IV. For material exposed to temperatures between 900 and 1000ºC, larger coalesced secondary carbides are
observed, their numbers being much less than at lower temperatures. A zone denuded in secondary precipitates surrounds
the primary carbides: this is State V. Above 1000ºC, secondary carbides disappear and the austenite matrix has an
appearance similar to the as-cast condition: this is termed State VI.
Observations of the transformations of steels of the types discussed indicate that the initial changes in microstructure
take place relatively rapidly at a given temperature level (within a few thousand hours) and that thereafter the extent of
the change with time becomes small. Thus, the microstructural changes provide a reasonable estimate of the temperature
profile to which a furnace tube has been subjected provided they have been in service for several thousand hours.
By removing a single tube from a reformer furnace, cutting a series of ring samples from along its length, and
examining these metallographically for microstructural changes and creep damage, plots of estimated temperature and of
creep damage can be prepared. These are termed “characteristic curves” and examples are shown in Figures 13 and 14
[1, 14].
Figure 13. Characteristic curves for a reformer column of HK40 steel, removed after 4.85×104 h of service. The observed
state of aging is shown on the plot on the left with the temperature value corresponding to the observed microstructure. From
Le May et al. [1]
Figure 14. Characteristic curves for a column of HK40 steel after 6.5×104 h of service. From Le May et al. [1]
Welded Joints
When the life of the reformer column is limited by creep crack propagation in the welds, those that are most prone to
damage are the two nearest to the top of the radiation chamber. In such a situation the positions of the cracks that
develop are well defined, and it has been found possible to use radiography to evaluate creep damage that is in an
advanced, but not yet terminal, stage.
Figure 15 illustrates the criteria that are used for the evaluation of the level of accumulated damage in welded joints
between the centrifugally cast sections of a reformer column [1]. The damage levels (A to E) correspond to those already
discussed. In the majority of cases the useful life of welded joints is limited by the propagation of cracks in the plane of
the weld and lying within the deposited metal. Cracking may also be observed in the heat affected zone and this may
also be the limiting factor. Only rarely is the life limited by cracks transverse to the weld deposit, lying along the tube
axis, and extending into the base metal of the centrifugally cast tube.
Radiographic procedures have been developed and qualified for the detection of damage at the various levels
indicated [1]. These utilize γ-radiography oriented (a) in line with the weld deposit (angle of incidence of 0°) and (b) at
an angle of incidence of approximately 15° to the weld. The former provides for detection of cracks within the plane of
the weld metal at right angles to the tube axis, while the latter gives better detection of cracks lying within the heat
affected zone. Radiography is conducted in place without removal of the reformer tube, but following removal of the
catalyst from it.
A test program demonstrated that damage in welds can be detected with good sensitivity. In the event of serious
levels of damage being found, it would be good practice to remove a tube for confirmatory metallographic examination,
as this is a more sensitive technique.
Figure 15. Criteria used for the level of accumulated damage in welded joints between centrifugally cast sections of a
reformer column, as shown by sectioning and metallographic preparation. From Le May et al. [1]
Figure 16. Procedure for preparation of the inner tube surface of specimens for examination by liquid penetrant. From Le
May et al. [1]
Rapid Evaluation Procedure

When a reformer column is removed for metallographic examination it may be useful to have a relatively rapid
indication of the state of damage, as the metallographic assessment is time consuming. This may be done simply by a
qualified technician using liquid penetrant inspection procedures [1].
Five segments cut appropriately from the column length can be prepared for examination as shown in Figure 16. The
surface of the chamfered area should be kept as smooth as possible.
Liquid penetrant testing is conducted over the chamfered surface. If cracking is present it will be in the form of
longitudinal radial cracks in the wall, and this will appear as linear indications on the chamfered area. If such cracks are
detected but are less than 25% of the wall thickness in radial dimension, it can be assumed that the risk of failure is
sufficiently low that a further campaign can be undertaken. However, if they extend through more than 25% of the wall
thickness, then a more detailed metallographic examination should be made.
Casting Defects
From time to time casting defects can lead to premature failure of reformer columns. Although a strict quality
control policy is expected for this type of component, such defects have been observed in columns produced by different
well-recognized foundries. Any unexpected reformer column failures should be submitted to a full analysis and the
results used to adjust the inspection plan of the specific reformer column battery.
Damage Assessment of Pigtails and Headers
Damage assessment of the outlet pigtails and headers is simpler than for the columns as the creep and the creep-
fatigue damage initiate at the external surfaces. Liquid penetrant inspection made on adequately prepared surfaces will
indicate damage at the microcrack level well before life extinction. Field metallography using replicas gives a long-term
picture and can eliminate any doubts arising concerning the validity of the liquid penetrant indications. Severe
carburization of the internal surface of the pigtails can be identified in a simple manner by the application of a magnet to
the external surface of the component after this has been cleaned to remove the oxide layer completely. If the magnet
shows any attraction, one pigtail can be removed for detailed evaluation. Carburization is not easily detected in the
outlet header owing to its greater wall thickness. However, carburization is relevant only if weld repairs are necessary
and a magnet can be applied over the bevel or on the well-cleaned internal surface of the manifold.
Other NDE Procedures
Various NDE procedures have been proposed for the detection of creep damage in reformer furnace columns. As the
creep damage does not initiate near the outer surface of the tubes, it is not a straightforward matter to detect and evaluate
it. Eddy current (ET) and ultrasonics have both been employed to estimate creep damage.
Mahlangu [15] has presented the results of an inspection programme on more than 300 tubes using an automated
crawler that provides a continuous record of tube outer and inner diameters with eddy current evaluation of the tube wall.
However, it is to be noted that Mahlangu followed up the automated crawler examination by sectioning the tubes for
metallographic examination. This emphasizes the fact that the nondestructive methods require to be verified before they
can be depended upon to fully quantify the nature and extent of damage and hence estimate remaining safe life.
Another nondestructive method of interest is laser profilometry [16], in which a light source (a diode laser) is passed
down a tube and produces a continuous record of the inside topography of the tube. Local increases in internal diameter
are indications of creep deformation.
ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES
Analytical procedures that can be used in an assessment of reformer furnaces include the procedures described in API
Recommended Practice 530 [2], computer methods [17, 18], or using the Generalized Local Stress Strain (GLOSS)
robust method [19].
Xiang Ling et al. [20] have modeled a reformer tube of HK-40 steel containing welded joints. The temperature
distribution was obtained in the same manner as done by Le May et al. [1] from microstructural examination, while
evaluation of the stress distribution was made by FEA. The damage distribution estimated by means of a continuum
damage finite element technique [21] and the estimated effective temperature in the reformer tube are shown in Figure
17. Curves 1 and 3 represent the damage distribution at a rupture life of 110 000 h and a life of 90 000 h, respectively.
Including metallographic observations in the analysis, a characteristic damage curve (curve 3) was obtained. It is not
clear how this was added into the analytical data, but it may be seen that curves 1 and 2 are not satisfactory in predicting
damage over a significant part of the tube (particularily the upper part). Also the analytical method did not take into
account the local damage at welds. However, the FEA data do emphasize the local nature of the largest damage in a
furnace tube some three-quarters of the way from the top, without consideration of the welds.
Figure 17. Assessment of remaining safe life of a reformer furnace. After Xiang Ling et al. [20]
REMAINING LIFE ESTIMATION
The metallographic and other inspection methods outlined above can be used in the estimation of the extent of
damage and thus the remaining life of reformer furnaces. The review is not a complete one but may serve to provide
some insight to the damage mechanisms to be considered in high temperature petrochemical plant such as reformers. It
should be emphasized again that the various non-destructive methods that are being increasingly employed to evaluate
reformer furnace tubes need to be calibrated and justified, and that metallography is a very useful tool in carrying this
out.
In cases where cracking is present, for example at welds, it may be necessary to apply fracture mechanics principles
to determine the length of a crack that can be tolerated without the risk of penetration through a pressure boundary or
before fast fracture would occur. A first estimate will establish the critical crack size for the given loading and geometry,
while the time to reach the critical size may be estimated from crack growth relations that may involve combinations of
creep damage and fatigue damage and may use non-linear fracture mechanics approaches. A comprehensive review of
the methodology is provided by Saxena [22], and computer programmes have been developed by Saxena [23] and further
by Peace et al. [24] that allow quantitative predictions of remaining life to be made.
CASE STUDY: ASSESSMENT OF A DAMAGED REFORMER FURNACE
Background
Furtado and Le May [25] have discussed the case of a reformer furnace that had developed cracks at the inlet
manifold or header after approximately 12 000 h of operation. The cracks were at a tee connection as shown in Figure
18.
Figure 18. Schematic drawing of the inlet piping to a reformer furnace, showing the positions of the cracking and the support
arrangements. From Furtado and Le May [25]
The operating conditions were 4.5 MPa pressure and 585°C within the 305 mm diameter 321 stainless steel piping
that had a wall thickness of 16 mm. Repair was made by welding at one of the cracked positions, but it was found
impossible to completely remove the crack at the other location, as the crack kept growing with further grinding. A
sketch was made by company personnel of the crack that remained at the ground area before weld metal was finally
deposited to cover it. The geometry as recorded before welding is shown in Figure 19.
Figure 19. Sketch of the cracked region at the tee

connection to the right in Figure 6 after grinding and
before welding. From Furtado and Le May [25]
The action to weld over a crack that had not been completely removed was taken to allow production to continue on a
temporary basis and because it was desired to avoid cooling down the unit completely as the ambient temperature was
around –40°C. Subsequently it was requested that the unit be continued in operation for a longer time than originally
envisaged and it was necessary to examine the structural integrity of the unit.
Structural Integrity Evaluation
Two aspects of structural integrity are of relevance here. First, the design was such that the piping was suspended
from the top of the furnace by means of spring hangers, with the vertical feed line supported on a platform at the bottom,
and there was a long semi-rigid connection between this line and the second of the two inlet manifolds. It was
discovered that, when the unit was cooled down, the adjustment of the top support springs was such that the vertical feed
line contracted and no longer rested on the bottom support, producing large bending stresses at the tee connections to
both manifolds. The possibility of spring “hang-up” had not been considered in the design, and the operating personnel
had not appreciated the potential for failure when the bottom support was not acting as was intended.
Immediate re-evaluation of the support system was recommended to ensure that failure would not occur from this
cause in future.
Figure 20. Remaining life prediction for the reformer header, showing the effect of initial crack size and shutdown frequency.
From Furtado and Le May [25]
Figure 21. The effect on the remaining life of additional stress from partial suspension of the inlet piping due to malfunction of
the hangers, based on a small initial crack size. From Furtado and Le May [25]
The second aspect concerned the question of crack growth from the latent defect, assuming that there was remedial
action taken to eliminate the possibility of the feed line becoming unsupported at its lower end during cooling down of
the plant. This required assumptions to be made concerning the crack size based on the dimensions recorded by the
maintenance staff before the crack was welded over, and an analysis of the time and operating cycles until it reached a
critical length, based on some analytical approach. The approach used was to employ the simplified crack growth
program developed by Saxena [23], and Figure 20 illustrates the results of this analysis, showing the estimated remaining
life as a function of initial crack depth for different shutdown frequencies. Based on the sketch made by the maintenance
staff and the geometry of the beveled surface after grinding, a reasonable estimate for the initial crack depth (2a) was
taken as 10.2 mm. As the historical frequency of shutdowns was greater than 10 per year, the estimated safe life in the
absence of excessive bending loads created by suspension of the feed line was no more than one year, and no extension
of the temporary operation was considered possible. Figure 21 shows the effect of external load on remaining life
corresponding to the presence of a small buried crack, considering one shutdown only per year.
REFERENCES
[1] I. Le May, T.L. da Silveira, and C.H. Vianna, “Criteria for the Evaluation of Damage and Remaining Life in Reformer
Furnace Tubes”, International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping, 66 (1996), pp. 233–241.
[2] Calculation of Heater-Tube Thickness in Petroleum Refineries, API Recommended Practice 530, 3rd Edition.
Washington, DC: American Petroleum Institute, 1996.
[3] A351/a 351M-91: Standard Specification for Castings, Austenitic, Austenitic-Ferritic (Duplex), for Pressure-
Containing Parts. Philadelphia, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials, 1991.
[4] L.H. de Almeida, L.H. Ribeiro, and I. Le May, “Microstructural Characterization of Modified 25Cr-35Ni Centrifugally
Cast Steel Furnace Tubes”, Materials Characterization, 49 (2002), pp.219–229.
[5] M.J. Noronha, F.C. Nunes, and L.H. de Almeida, “Microstructural Characterization of HP Cast Stainless Steel with
Yttrium Addition”, Acta Microscopia, 12 (2003), Supplement C, pp. 231–232.
[6] F.C. Nunes, M.J. Noronha, D.S. dos Santos, and L.H. de Almeida, “Yttrium Particles Observed in a Modified HP
Stainless Steel”, Acta Microscopia, 12 (2003), Supplement C, pp. 253–254.
[7] F.C. Nunes, L.H. de Almeida, J. Dille, J.L. Delplancke, and I. Le May, “Microstructural Changes Caused by Yttrium on
NbTi-Modified Centrifugally Cast HP-Type Stainless Steels”, Microstructural Science, Materials Characterization, 58
(2007), pp. 132–142.
[8] J.J. Jones, Heat Resisting Alloys for the Petrochemical Industry. APV Paramount Ltd, 1986.
[9] T.L. da Silveira and I. Le May, “Damage Assessment and Management in Reformer Furnaces”, Trans. ASME, Journal
of Pressure Vessel Technology, 119 (1997), pp. 423–427.
[10] “Failure Analysis and Prevention”, in Metals Handbook, Volume 11. Metals Park, OH: American Society for Metals,
1986, p. 290.
[11] B. Neubauer and V. Wedel, “Restlife Estimation of Creeping Components by Means of Replicas,” in ASME
International Conference on Advances in Life Prediction Methods, eds. D.A. Woodford and J.R. Whitehead. New York,
NY: ASME , 1983, pp. 353–356.
[12] T.L. da Silveira and I. Le May, “Effects of Metallographic Preparation Procedures on Creep Damage Assessment”,
Materials Characterization, 28 (1992), pp. 75–85.
[13] L.E. Samuels, R.W. Coade, and S.D. Mann, “Precracking Structures in a Creep-Ruptured Low-Carbon Cr-Mo Steel:
their Nature and Detection by Light Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy”, Materials Characterization, 29
(1992), pp. 343–363.
[14] N.A.M. Ferreira, T.L. da Silveira, and I. Le May, “Characteristic Curves for Damage Assessment in Reformer Furnace
Tubes,” in Materials Performance, Maintenance and Plant Life Assessment, eds., I. Le May, P. Mayer, P.R. Roberge
and V.S. Sastri. Montreal, Canada: CIM, 1994, pp. 181–191.
[15] F. Mahlangu, “Verification of Inspection Method Used to Predict Premature Failure of Primary Reformer Tubes”, in
Cape 2001: Ageing of Materials and Methods for the Assessment of Lifetimes of Engineering Plant, ed. R.K. Penny.
West Midlands, UK: EMAS, (2001), pp. 79–93.
[16] NDT Solution: Laser Profilometry as an Inspection Method for Reformer Catalyst Tubes. American Society for
Nondestructive Testing website, 1999. http://www.ndt/article/v04n02/roberts4/roberts4.htm .
[17] F.A. Simonen and C.E. Jaske, “A Computational Model for Prediction of Life of Tubes Used in Petrochemical Heater
Service”, Trans. ASME, Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, 107 (1985), pp. 239–246.
[18] C.E. Jaske and R. Viswanathan, “Remaining-Life Prediction for Equipment in High-Temperature/Pressure Service”,
Materials Performance, 30 (4) (1991), pp. 61–67.
[19] L.C.F.C. Gomes, S.D. Bhole, I. Le May, and R. Seshadri, 1994, “Remaining Life Evaluation of Catalytic Furnace
Tubes”, in Materials Performance, Maintenance and Plant Life Assessment, eds. I. Le May, P. Mayer, P.R. Roberge,
and V.S. Sastri. Montreal, Canada: CIM, 1994, pp. 173–179.
[20] Xiang Ling, Shan-Tung Tu, and Jian-Ming Gong, “Damage Mechanics Considerations for Life Extension of High-
Temperature Components”, Trans ASME, Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, 122 (2000), pp. 174–179.
[21] J.-M. Gong, S.-T. Tu, and K.-B. Yoon “Damage Assessment and Maintenance Strategy of Hydrogen Reformer Furnace
Tubes”, Eng. Failure Analysis, 6 (1999), pp. 143–153.
[22] A. Saxena, Nonlinear Fracture Mechanics for Engineers. Boca Raton, USA: CRC Press, 1998.
[23] A. Saxena, “PCPIPE, Version 3.0: A Computer Code for Integrity Analysis of Elevated Temperature Steam Pipes”.
Palo Alto, CA: Structural Integrity Associates, 1989.
[24] R. Peace, H.C. Furtado, and I. Le May, “Remaining Life Assessment of Welded Pipes Containing Cracks”, Int. J.
Pressure Vessels & Piping, 83 (2006), pp. 798–802.
[25] H.C. Furtado and I. Le May, “Damage Evaluation and Life Assessment in High Temperature Plant: Some Case
Studies”, in Sixth International Conference on Creep and Fatigue. London: Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 1996,
pp. 491–499.

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Tito Luiz da Silveira and Iain Le May

REFORMER FURNACES: MATERIALS, DAMAGE

* Address for correspondence:

Paper Received 17 April, 2006

REFORMER FURNACES: MATERIALS, DAMAGE MECHANISMS, AND ASSESSMENT

Figure 1. Schematic view of a top fired reformer furnace

Table 1. Mechanisms for Life Extinction

A main crack propagates at the centre line of the

The offset may correspond to several column

Rapid Evaluation Procedure

Figure 19. Sketch of the cracked region at the tee

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